[FullRangeMan]

Tired of the nosey from Google to find my cell number and other personal details, seems Google executives feel everyone own a cell phone.

I would appreciate suggestions of free email and your opinion about the service/company.
Thanks in advance for your time.
Regards

[avta]

I use the email provided by my internet service provider Comcast. Had it for many years. No problems. They do a very good job of screening spam. Customer support very good.

[galyons]

I use the email provided by my internet service provider Comcast. Had it for many years. No problems. They do a very good job of screening spam. Customer support very good.

Wow! How the h@!! do I get THAT Comcast?  It is totally different from my experience!

Cheers,
Geary

[wilsynet]

Tired of the nosey from Google to find my cell number and other personal details, seems Google executives feel everyone own a cell phone.

I don't think I understand.  Tired of what?

[FullRangeMan]

I don't think I understand.  Tired of what?

Surely you arent a Goo email user.
Google emailers constantly receive at logon screens asking phone number to send password recovery sms at a (unknow) cost of course, not to mention Google+ which will expose your details to your web ''friends'' find you.

Please Note to pay the sms messages you will be forced to inform your credirtcards details etc

[charmerci]

Surely you arent a Goo email user.
Google emailers constantly receive at logon screens asking phone number to send password recovery sms at a unknow cost of course, not to mention Google+ which will expose your detail to your ''friends'' find you.

Please Note to pay the sms messages you will be forced to inform you credirtcards details etc

Hmmm. I think I've been asked once for my cell number (I don't remember if I gave it to them but I don't get any phone messages) but I haven't been asked in as long as I can remember since I started gmail in Sept.


Could be because I use adblockplus.org software?

[rif]

I use gmail, and can only remember being asked that a few times. But I am getting nervous about my privacy.

Stay away from Yahoo. I know a few people, myself included, who had their accounts hacked and address books lifted. The hackers use your email to send out spam.

[WGH]

Why free? If you want privacy and control then a paid site is best.

Register a domain name with GoDaddy.com https://www.godaddy.com/?isc=Nov2013AX&ci=13333
Sign up for web hosting at HostPC http://www.hostpc.com/unlimited-directadmin-web-hosting.php for $30 the first year.
Don't bother setting up a web site, just use the email, a lot of people do just that.

For a little money each year you get:

• Security
• Peace of mind
• A permanent email even if you change internet provider
• Spam filter
• Bragging rights for having a cool email address

Wayne

[FullRangeMan]

Hmmm. I think I've been asked once for my cell number (I don't remember if I gave it to them but I don't get any phone messages) but I haven't been asked in as long as I can remember since I started gmail in Sept.


Could be because I use adblockplus.org software?

You lucky, in my country I receive it every week since 2010 or 09 and now with the Snowden case the thing will be worse.
It is a regular gmail page after you enter the password, so it is not blocked by adblock or ghostery.

[FullRangeMan]

I use gmail, and can only remember being asked that a few times. But I am getting nervous about my privacy.

Stay away from Yahoo. I know a few people, myself included, who had their accounts hacked and address books lifted. The hackers use your email to send out spam.

Thanks, good to know.

[wilsynet]

If you don't want to give them your phone number, you don't really have to.  And if you are tired of them asking, just enter a fake phone number.  If you want to remove yourself from Google+, I'm sure there's a way to make your profile private.

I do use gmail.  I gave them my phone number.  They have never called me and they have never given out my phone number as far as I can tell.

If you like the gmail service, it seems like you can keep using it.  I'm not sure why you'd switch unless you really are hyper concerned.  And if you really want a completely private, ad-free solution, yes, I think you're going to have to pay for it.

As for ISP based email like Comcast, RoadRunner, AT&T, etc, I generally avoid them.  I want the freedom to switch ISPs without needing to change my email address.

[FullRangeMan]

If you don't want to give them your phone number, you don't really have to.  And if you are tired of them asking, just enter a fake phone number.  If you want to remove yourself from Google+, I'm sure there's a way to make your profile private.

I do use gmail.  I gave them my phone number.  They have never called me and they have never given out my phone number as far as I can tell.

If you like the gmail service, it seems like you can keep using it.  I'm not sure why you'd switch unless you really are hyper concerned.  And if you really want a completely private, ad-free solution, yes, I think you're going to have to pay for it.

As for ISP based email like Comcast, RoadRunner, AT&T, etc, I generally avoid them.  I want the freedom to switch ISPs without needing to change my email address.

They never will call a user, the phone number are for in case one forget the password they will send a new one by cell sms for recovery and the user will be charged for it.
So inform a fake phone number will no avoid the card debt; in the last months its getting harder dismiss this request and have access to the inbox mail.
The prob gmail is very eficient and always online.
Thanks for the reply.

[JohnR]

Hi FRM, I would echo the comment from WGH that asking for free and reliable and privacy is perhaps really a bit much to expect. If a company provides free email, they have to make money some other way than by providing you with email, right? Of course. So, ads, data mining, etc. I would suggest http://www.tuffmail.com/ which is $24 per year. I do not have the basic account, a more elaborate one, but it has been rock solid for me for years, and when I see other people with their inboxes full of SPAM I wonder how they justify spending the time managing it just to save a few dollars.

 

[Doublej]

I believe the big three are Google, Yahoo and Microsoft. Since you have tried Google and Yahoo and don't like them I guess it's time to give Microsoft a try.

As someone else said you typically get one or more free email accounts with your monthly ISP fee, so why not use it?

[Elizabeth]

I have used the same Yahoo account since Yahoo has been around with free email. Never had a problem with Yahoo. maybe if you use a real password on your account you won't get hacked???
I also have a Gmail account. Only had that for a few years.. No problem there either.
I would NEVER use my internet providersservice for email... Then they have you trappped. If you quit due to bigrate increases your email is screwed.
I can quit and rejoin to get lower rates anytime, and have.

[wilsynet]

So inform a fake phone number will no avoid the card debt; in the last months its getting harder dismiss this request and have access to the inbox mail.
The prob gmail is very eficient and always online.

Right, so it's a good service.  You like it.  Are you concerned it's going to cost you money?

When they say you're going to be charged for it, I believe they mean that SMS messages are not free.  Depending on your mobile phone plan, receiving a text message may have an incremental charge over and above your regular monthly plan.

Having said that, do you think there are going to be hundreds of SMS messages sent all the time?  For the record, Google has never once sent me an SMS message.  Entering your mobile phone number into Gmail, as a practical consideration, will not bankrupt you.

[wilsynet]

From: https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/114129?hl=en&ctx=ch_CreateAccount&p=mail


Why Google asks for your phone number to verify your account
In an effort to protect our users from abuse, we sometimes ask users to prove they’re not a robot before they're able to create or sign in to accounts. Having this additional confirmation via phone is an effective way to keep spammers from abusing our systems.

Cost of text messages or calls
The cost of your text or voice messages will vary depending on your plan and provider, but will likely be your standard text message and call charges. Contact your mobile phone provider for details.

Looks like eventually you can't get around entering a correct phone number, whether that be a mobile number with SMS capability, or a land line that is able to receive a voice call.

But as very clearly implied in their FAQ, it does not directiy bill a credit card.  It just costs your phone plan money to either receive a call or SMS depending on your plan.

[rif]

I have used the same Yahoo account since Yahoo has been around with free email. Never had a problem with Yahoo. maybe if you use a real password on your account you won't get hacked???

It was a very good password.

[bladesmith]

Why free? If you want privacy and control then a paid site is best.

Register a domain name with GoDaddy.com https://www.godaddy.com/?isc=Nov2013AX&ci=13333
Sign up for web hosting at HostPC http://www.hostpc.com/unlimited-directadmin-web-hosting.php for $30 the first year.
Don't bother setting up a web site, just use the email, a lot of people do just that.

For a little money each year you get:

• Security
• Peace of mind
• A permanent email even if you change internet provider
• Spam filter
• Bragging rights for having a cool email address

Wayne

X2....

[mgalusha]

I've been using FastMail for some years. Very happy with the service and while not free it's not very expensive. https://www.fastmail.fm/

They allow you to create aliases as well, so you can create specific emails for sites that you are pretty sure will spam you and add filters for them. That way one can assure those go into a specific bucket.