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How to create a free Proton email address

How to send an anonymous, encrypted email
To ensure your identity and the contents of your message stay completely private, you can set up a free, anonymous Proton Mail account. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Set up a blank Proton account
  • Go to the Proton Mail signup page.
  • Choose the Free Plan.
  • Pick a random username that has absolutely nothing to do with your real name, location, or birth year.
  • Skip the recovery options. When it asks for a recovery email or phone number, choose "Skip" or "Maybe later". Adding a personal number or email will link the account back to your real identity.
  • Note: If Proton asks for a verification check, select the CAPTCHA option rather than an email or SMS verification.

Step 3: Send the encrypted email
  • Log into your new, anonymous Proton account.
  • Click New Message.
  • Address it to the email near the bottom of the home page.
  • Type your message and click Send.
Because you are sending an email from one Proton account to another, end-to-end encryption happens automatically.