There is one simple tool everyone should use to protect their online accounts: a backup email address. Often overlooked, a backup email account is an easy way to streamline recovery, protect against data breaches, and help organize your digital life.

What Is a Backup Email Address?

A backup email address is essentially what it says on the tin: a secondary account linked to your primary email for a little more security. It’s usually used for recovering passwords, receiving verification codes, being notified of unusual account activity, or being a place to send emails you don’t necessarily want going to your main account.

Unlike your primary email, which should handle daily and important communications, a backup email is more limited in its exposure. This makes it less likely to be targeted by hacks, and its sole purpose is to act as a safety net for your online accounts. Think of it as an added layer of protection between your online self and those looking to steal your identity or access your information.

The Benefits of Backup Email Addresses

Beyond just having an extra email in case things go wrong, here are a few other reasons I like to have a backup email address:

• Better Security: Having a backup email helps ensure that even if your primary account is compromised, you still have a way to take back control. It serves as a secondary line of defense against hackers and other threats, keeping your sensitive information safe.
• Efficient Account Recovery: Have you ever been locked out of your main account because you forgot the password too many times? Password reset links, account verification codes, and recovery options are all made easier when tied to a backup email.
• Separation of Responsibilities: A backup email helps me keep sensitive account-related communications separate from my regular inbox. This way I help keep the clutter of clutter of promotional or casual messages down, making important updates easier to find and address.

Now that you know why it’s worth having a backup email address, we can look at how to use one practically.

How I Use a Backup Email Address

Step 1: Creating a Secure Backup Email ID

The first step in setting up my backup email was choosing a reliable provider with strong security features like encryption and two-factor authentication (2FA). I went with Mailfence over something like Protonmail, as that made the most sense to me. As an added level of security, I made a unique email address that wasn’t tied to my name or easily guessed, enhancing its security further.

Of course, you should also give this secondary email account a strong, unique password.

Step 2: Linking It to Primary Accounts

I connected my backup email to all my bigger online accounts, including my banking, shopping, and social media platforms. Most services made this part easy during setup or in account settings under recovery options. You’ll have to confirm that the second email account belongs to you using a verification method, but it’s a simple process.

Step 3: Regular Updates and Maintenance

To make sure that my email remains secure, I periodically check my backup email account to see if I still have access and to review any notifications. Updating its password every six months is another thing I add to my routine for even more security.

Tips for Setting Up a Secure Backup Email

First, make sure to choose a reliable provider. You want one with strong security features, while any password for this backup email should be long, unique, and unrelated to other passwords you have used before. I like to use a password manager to generate and store my passwords; good options include Dashlane, NordPass, and Proton Pass.

You will also want to secure accounts with two-factor authentication (2FA). This really enhances your backup email’s security since it requires a second verification step–such as sending a link to your phone or another email–to log in. And finally, avoid casual sharing. Keep your backup email private and only link it to the accounts that really need it. This will lower the chance that it could be exposed during a data breach.

A backup email may seem like a minor aspect of online security, but it plays a huge role in keeping my digital life organized and secure. From adding an extra layer of protection to streamlining account recovery, this simple step has saved me countless headaches. If you don’t already have a backup email, consider setting one up today. It’s a quick, easy, and effective way to safeguard your online presence.