It's secure use the name on a username?

Agx · 4 Jun 2016, 08:45 PM

Hi,

today I read an article about the security of the username used for email, and some people suggest that the use of the most common name.surname is a risk because expose to social enginering tactics to steal account and personal data.

All is possible because with an email like name.surname@ the attacker know the name and the surname of the target.

It's possible or is only a paranoid view of a journalist?

At the end of the article they suggest to use a nickname to prevent hack that use social enginering tactics.

n5bb · 5 Jun 2016, 03:22 AM

Nearly all individuals and companies use From addresses which include their names such as:
Wonder Woman <PrincessDiana@themyscira.org>
Customer Service <help@example.org>

So Diana could just use "PrincessDiana@themyscira.org" and her true identity would be hidden from those who only had access to that email address. But most people want those communicating with them to know the name of the person receiving the message. So you could use the email address glob7.3.4.2.3.9.2.7.2.5.3.0.4.2.hut@example.org and I doubt anyone would guess this address or appreciate using it.

In other words, I can imagine a theoretical advantage to using a random address but in practice I see few advantages. Would you want to have an extremely long and random postal mailing address?

Bill

Zach · 17 Jun 2016, 05:29 PM

It depends what you use the email address for. Many people have at least two email addresses - one for business use and another for their social media, online shopping, communicating with friends & family etc. It would be unprofessional of you not to use your name in your business email, but OK otherwise.

4 Jun 2016, 08:45 PM	#1
Agx Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 164	It's secure use the name on a username? Hi, today I read an article about the security of the username used for email, and some people suggest that the use of the most common name.surname is a risk because expose to social enginering tactics to steal account and personal data. All is possible because with an email like name.surname@ the attacker know the name and the surname of the target. It's possible or is only a paranoid view of a journalist? At the end of the article they suggest to use a nickname to prevent hack that use social enginering tactics.

5 Jun 2016, 03:22 AM	#2
n5bb Intergalactic Postmaster Join Date: May 2004 Location: Irving, Texas Posts: 8,929	Nearly all individuals and companies use From addresses which include their names such as: Wonder Woman <PrincessDiana@themyscira.org> Customer Service <help@example.org> So Diana could just use "PrincessDiana@themyscira.org" and her true identity would be hidden from those who only had access to that email address. But most people want those communicating with them to know the name of the person receiving the message. So you could use the email address glob7.3.4.2.3.9.2.7.2.5.3.0.4.2.hut@example.org and I doubt anyone would guess this address or appreciate using it. In other words, I can imagine a theoretical advantage to using a random address but in practice I see few advantages. Would you want to have an extremely long and random postal mailing address? Bill

17 Jun 2016, 05:29 PM	#3
Zach Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 119	It depends what you use the email address for. Many people have at least two email addresses - one for business use and another for their social media, online shopping, communicating with friends & family etc. It would be unprofessional of you not to use your name in your business email, but OK otherwise.