Unmask Email Spammers with This Clever Old-School Trick

This article discusses a simple but effective method to track which online services are sharing or leaking your email address, known as 'plus addressing.' The technique involves appending an alias (using the "+" symbol) to your Gmail or Outlook email address. For example, if you sign up for a car service, you can use [email protected]. Any emails sent to this address from unauthorized sources will help identify which service is leaking your data.

The article also mentions that iCloud users with the Hide My Email feature (part of iCloud+) can generate unique email addresses that forward to their personal email. While not as customizable, it offers an additional layer of privacy by keeping your real email address hidden. However, for those without iCloud+, using plus addressing remains a valuable tool in monitoring who's selling or leaking your information.