SimpleLogin (manage email aliases and dynamically reply as the alias!)

[jdaviescoates]

I just came across Firefox Relay which is Mozilla's free (up to 5 email masks) version of this.

https://relay.firefox.com/
(looks like it's possible to self-host too https://github.com/mozilla/fx-private-relay )

Premium currently only $0.99/mo

Shame you can't use your own domains though.

Here's a nice comparison by SimpleLogin

https://simplelogin.io/blog/vs-firefox-relay/

[humptydumpty]

@jdaviescoates said in SimpleLogin (manage email aliases and dynamically reply as the alias!):

Here's a nice comparison by SimpleLogin

Dependency on third party services

Firefox Relay relies on Amazon SES to receive and forward emails to your mailbox. 

Might be a problem for some of us Mozilla's intentions might be pure but you never know if a bug, hack, or a change in management might expose that info in the future which is why it's best to support projects that steer clear from using big tech' services. Besides, for privacy-oriented folks who self-host open-source software, it feels like being a hypocrite when we use big-tech and closed-source services/apps.

[jdaviescoates]

@humptydumpty said in SimpleLogin (manage email aliases and dynamically reply as the alias!):

@jdaviescoates said in SimpleLogin (manage email aliases and dynamically reply as the alias!):

Here's a nice comparison by SimpleLogin

Dependency on third party services

Firefox Relay relies on Amazon SES to receive and forward emails to your mailbox. 

Might be a problem for some of us Mozilla's intentions might be pure but you never know if a bug, hack, or a change in management might expose that info in the future which is why it's best to support projects that steer clear from using big tech' services. Besides, for privacy-oriented folks who self-host open-source software, it feels like being a hypocrite when we use big-tech and closed-source services/apps.

Yeah, I also spotted:

Firefox Relay relies on Firefox Account for authentication.

[MisterJD]

This app would be fantastic. I already love and use the Apple thing, but something selfhosted and more versatile would be simply great.

[timconsidine]

@MisterJD yes it's great.
I user the hosted version with paid plan, so I add a custom domain and some wilcarding and I can create random on-the-fly addresses like merchant@sl.domain.tld for signups etc, which go to my hidden primary.
I also use Trashmail but SimpleLogin is easier (and cheaper I seem to recall).

[A Former User]

This feature on Cloudron would be outstanding.

@girish How many aliases does Cloudron allow?

[robi]

@bushido there is no limit.

[A Former User]

@robi said in SimpleLogin (manage email aliases and dynamically reply as the alias!):

@bushido there is no limit.

Thanks for your quick reply.

[marcusquinn]

The advantage of packaging Simple Login is that you can then use their browser extension to create randomised or keyworded aliases on the fly when signing up to newsletters etc.

It's similar to the way LanguageTool selfhosted works with their browser extension changing the API key to your self-hosted instance.

Set your self-hosted URL:

And API Key:

Magic. Your email aliases, that you can keep forever without having to keep a subscription running for them to stay working.

[marcusquinn]

Just noticed, they have been acquired by Proton. I'd say that's reassuring for long-term support:

• https://proton.me/

I've looked at comparable apps in this area, and Simple Login does seem to be the best user experience.

[jayonrails]

@girish @nebulon what would it cost to spoonsor this app for Cloudron?

[girish]

This app is sort of like an email server of it's own (and it's own dns setup), requires port 25 to be open etc. So, it's not easy to setup within Cloudron itself. I think for now it's best to run it outside in a separate VPS.

[privsec]

@girish said in SimpleLogin (manage email aliases and dynamically reply as the alias!):

This app is sort of like an email server of it's own (and it's own dns setup), requires port 25 to be open etc. So, it's not easy to setup within Cloudron itself. I think for now it's best to run it outside in a separate VPS.

Is it possible to rebuild the email server implementing these features?

[jayonrails]

@privsec I am totally on that, too.

[girish]

While there is no extension, one can use wildcard aliases - https://docs.cloudron.io/apps/#aliases . So, you can add blah* and then handout blah1231 or whatever you like.

But I guess one would want to track with a label or equivalent of the created aliases and what they were used for. (That's what I think this app does). One can create some strategy like blah-service-one or something like that.

[girish]

Also, I use mail+service@domain.com and this has worked many years now. See https://docs.cloudron.io/email/#subaddresses

Is there any specific benefit to random addresses?

[marcusquinn]

@girish I guess anyone can just strip the +service part from the address quite easily.

I'm trying to think how one would make this work using the same domain but perhaps somehow having different MX records for each server that would look for if an email address is able to receive.

[marcusquinn]

@girish I guess the wildcard solution only works for those receiving emails to a catchall mailbox. Wouldn't work for multiple user's separation of emails on the same domain.

Perhaps there's a way to replicate the Simple Login hooks to work with Cloudron API? That way you get Cloudron mailbox and alias management, and Simple Logins' already developed browser extensions?

[girish]

@marcusquinn the wildcard is aliases. This is different from the catch all feature. You can set wildcard aliases on a mailbox.

[jdaviescoates]

@girish said in SimpleLogin (manage email aliases and dynamically reply as the alias!):

You can set wildcard aliases on a mailbox.

As explained here https://docs.cloudron.io/email/#mail-aliases