There are various reasons for moving to a new email address. Perhaps your current email is overwhelmed with spam or mail from newsletters you no longer want to follow. You may also want to switch to an entirely new provider because the current one doesn’t offer all the features you need or 

Whatever the case, your existing email likely contains numerous messages you don’t want to lose. To help you ensure this doesn’t happen, 

this guide will show you how to transfer emails to another email address

 you should switch to if you want to make the process as effortless as possible while increasing your security levels.

How to transfer emails to your new account

Migrating to a new email account typically involves a laborious process. The specifics depend on the provider of your new account, but most Big Tech solutions require you to forward old emails to the new address.

To give you a thorough breakdown and all the necessary steps, 

How to forward old Gmail to another Gmail account

, you’ll need to go through two stages:

Configuring POP access for the old account

The Post Office Protocol (POP) is a basic email protocol enabling email transfer. POP is disabled by default in Gmail, so you’ll need to configure it manually before migrating to a new email address.

You can do this by taking the following steps

Click the gear icon in the upper-right corner and go to 

From the same menu, you can choose what happens with the emails you transfer. Click the drop-down menu next to 

 and choose from the four available options:

Setting up email fetching with the new account

With POP enabled, you can add the address from which you want to transfer emails to your new account. Assuming you’ve already created the account, you can do it by following these steps:

 Import emails from my other account (POP3)

 Always use a secure connection (SSL) when retrieving mail

Yes, I want to be able to send mail as [username]@gmail.com

Gmail will send you a verification code via email to your old inbox. Copy the number and follow these steps to complete the process:

Gmail will start importing your emails from the old account immediately. 

The transfer will be done in batches and can take a while,

 depending on the number of emails in your old account. When it’s done, you can remove the old account from the new one by clicking the 

Which email provider should you switch to?

As you can see, the email migration process is quite lengthy. You’ll have to go through similar steps with most providers or use a third-party service, which can be equally complex to set up.

, or other file types, depending on your old account’s provider. This is 

quite inconvenient and requires some technical knowledge

All this effort may not be worth the effort if you end up with another Big Tech provider—especially if you value safety.

 Such options use basic encryption protocols like 

, which may not be strong enough to safeguard your correspondence against 

Besides, threats don’t always come from the outside. Services like Gmail are well-known for 

 and relying on privacy-invasive practices to profit

. Entrusting large corporations with your sensitive information is not a wise decision, and every user deserves the peace of mind of knowing their online behavior isn’t tracked.

 of your data being exploited by malicious parties, 

How privacy-first email providers keep your data safe

Unlike Big Tech email services, privacy-focused solutions use 

 by default. This is the best standard for 

 because it conceals your correspondence from everyone but the recipient.

the message is turned into ciphertext on your device

 before leaving it. The encryption key is stored on your device and inaccessible to the provider, so even they cannot see the plaintext version. If an attacker intercepts the message, 

 because the decryption key is only available to the recipient.

 and often go through additional setup to secure your account. If you need a service that 

 without complications and automates tedious tasks like email transfer

Skiff Mail combines the two main aspects of emailing—security and ease of use. It 

A public encryption key shared between the sender and the recipient

A private decryption key stored on the recipient’s device

—only the recipient holding the decryption key can decipher the message.

To give users full control of their data, 

Skiff does not collect any personally identifiable information

. Your login credentials remain stored on your device, so you can retain 

Skiff offers two-factor authentication (2FA) 

 to receive a code, you can use the app to log into Skiff securely and prevent someone from taking over your account.

 to learn more about its security measures and other features.

Designed for convenience and maximum productivity

Skiff’s many security measures require no action or setup on the user’s part. They are built into the platform and active by default, so you don’t need any technical knowledge to 

beautifully-designed, modern user interface

, you can navigate Skiff seamlessly and stay productive. Besides most browsers, you can use the platform on 

, and macOS to ensure your correspondence is safe wherever you are.

various other features that contribute to an effective workflow

, labels, and filters for convenient mail management

Integration with various crypto platforms like 

All of the above features are included in the free account

, so there are no obligations or commitments. No security measure is hidden behind a paywall, either, ensuring every user can enjoy complete privacy.

Move your emails to Skiff in a single click

If you want to safeguard your messages with Skiff’s advanced security, you can get started in a few minutes without extensive manual processes. Moving everything to Skiff only takes three steps:

Use Skiff’s one-click migration to transfer all your emails immediately

Skiff won’t save unencrypted copies of your emails

, so you can rest assured your correspondence is safe from the moment you transfer it.

Get access to three additional E2EE platforms

After signing up for Skiff Mail, you can create a comprehensive, secure workflow thanks to the three end-to-end encrypted products included with the account:

quick overview of what you can do with each platform

While the free account should be robust enough for an average user, Skiff lets you scale as needed through its 

. Sign up, transfer your emails in record time, and use Skiff’s comprehensive product suite according to your requirements.

How to transfer emails to another email account—the process explained

Google has been dominating several industries beyond search, most notably the cloud workspace market. With 

, G Suite—now known as Google Workspace—is the most popular collaboration platform among 

. It suffers from several significant drawbacks that might make you think twice before building your workflow around it.

This guide will highlight the most notable shortcomings of using Google’s solution and 

share a few alternatives to G Suite worth exploring

. You’ll learn what a collaboration platform must have to ensure a smooth and secure user experience, after which you can compare four options to find the best one.

Why the dangers of using G Suite outweigh the benefits

G Suite offers a comprehensive set of platforms that streamline cloud collaboration. From 

 to Google Sheets, you have an app for most major tasks. Pair this with free access to all those platforms, and you can see why Google’s solution has amassed such a broad user base.

While you don’t have to pay for G Suite unless you want to upgrade, 

you’re giving Google something more valuable than money

 when using its platforms—your data. It’s common knowledge that 

 on its servers, exposing users to severe 

keep your data safe from everyone—including themselves

 shouldn’t come at the cost of usability, so the right solution needs to check a few important boxes:

. Let’s discuss some productivity suites users often choose over Google’s option to help you make an informed decision.

G Suite alternatives—features, pros, and cons of four options

Among numerous cloud workspaces, four options stand out:

While each platform has advantages over Google Workspace, 

. Take a look at the concise reviews below to find the best fit.

. Higher storage, desktop apps, and several other features give it an advantage over Google’s option, but the free version might be disappointing for some users.

Microsoft has various tiers for specific user groups, but the two general pricing categories are:

Microsoft’s productivity ecosystem is more robust than Google’s. Besides web services, you get dedicated desktop apps that sync with the cloud space. Microsoft 365 is a better option if you want to keep local copies of certain documents. If you download any Google Workspace file, it converts to its Microsoft counterpart anyway (Docs > Word, Sheets > Excel, etc.)

Even if you only focus on cloud services, 

Microsoft 365 is more generous than Google Workspace

 (Business Starter, $6/month) gets you 30 GB of storage, while 

Conversely, the free version of Google Workspace is more comprehensive than Microsoft 365 for the Web—the free, online-only version of the suite.

You only get 5 GB with OneDrive compared to Google Drive’s 10 GB

, and the overall collaboration is much smoother on Google’s platform. Microsoft 365 for the Web 

 without advanced sharing and collaboration features.

—the most secure way to send emails and collaborate in a cloud environment. Like Google Workspace, Microsoft 365 uses basic protocols like 

/SSL, which aren’t strong enough to keep your sensitive information safe.

After the major success of its CRM platform, Zoho branched out to create a comprehensive workspace. While you can’t use it for free, the platform’s numerous features and affordability might make it worth the investment.

Zoho Workplace offers three plans based on platform and feature availability:

Zoho Workplace encompasses various tools to let you build a streamlined workflow:

Zoho Office Suite (Writer, Sheet, and Show—equivalents of Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides)

You get all of the above with the Standard plan

, and you can unlock Zoho’s intranet platform Zoho Connect with the highest tier.

Another difference between the plans is storage. 

Standard offers 30 GB of email storage alongside 100 GB of shared WorkDrive storage

 allocated between up to 10 users, with an extra 10 GB for each new user. 

With Professional, you get 100 GB of email storage and 1 TB of shared storage

, with each new user getting an extra 100 GB.

The Office Suite is quite capable and offers 

full-featured tools similar to Google’s

. You can invite up to 50 collaborators to each document, which is enough for a cohesive workflow.

As for security, you get some handy features like 

. It uses the S/MIME standard, which is better than nothing but is an outdated protocol tied to 

Proton is best known for its famous VPN service, which has been touted for its strong security. The company extended its focus on 

 to three additional tools to create a secure online workspace. It’s a better option for privacy-conscious users than any Big Tech solution, but the company’s recent reputation issues made some users skeptical about using it.

Proton offers a free plan alongside several tiers:

Proton is based in Switzerland, a country known for strict data privacy laws. Besides being compliant with them, the company ensures confidentiality through zero-knowledge end-to-end encryption. No sensitive information gets stored on Proton’s 

, so users can enjoy more privacy and security.

The free plan gives you access to four platforms

It’s good to have a VPN alongside productivity tools for added security, so this certainly makes Proton stand out. The problem is that 

 even for casual users due to limited storage. 

You only get 500 MB and can unlock another 500 MB

 by completing simple actions. You’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan for more storage, but even that might not be enough as 

all plans besides Enterprise cap the storage at 500 GB

While Proton is more secure than most cloud workplaces, 

 PGP, an encryption standard tied to the same issues as S/MIME

. The company’s reputation was questioned in 2021 when it 

. While this was an isolated case, it still made some users concerned about the levels of confidentiality they get.

 is a comprehensive, privacy-first productivity suite using advanced end-to-end encryption to ensure complete confidentiality and security. It offers all the tools individuals and businesses need to ensure safe collaboration and maximize efficiency.

Skiff includes four end-to-end encrypted platforms to let users create a secure workflow:

Four alternatives to G Suite worth considering

Browser fingerprinting is a tracking method that allows websites to identify and track users by collecting information about their web browser and the device they are using. This information can include the version of the browser being used, the type of device, the operating system, the language preference, the time zone, and other details.

To prevent browser fingerprinting, you can use a privacy-focused web browser that blocks or disguises this information, such as Mozilla Firefox with the Privacy Badger extension or the Tor Browser. You can also use a virtual private network (VPN) to mask your IP address and encrypt your internet connection, making it more difficult for websites to track your online activity. Additionally, you can use browser extensions that block tracking cookies and other forms of tracking, such as 

It's also a good idea to keep your web browser and operating system up to date, as this can help prevent vulnerabilities that could be exploited for tracking purposes. You can also clear your browser's cache and cookies regularly, as this can help prevent websites from tracking your browsing history and preferences.

Finally, be cautious when sharing personal information online, as this can be used to identify you and track your online activity. Consider using a pseudonym or fake name instead of your real name, and be selective about the information you share on social media and other websites.

Is it legal for services to collect browser or device fingerprints?

In most countries, browser fingerprinting is not explicitly illegal. However, the use of this technique for tracking and identifying users without their knowledge or consent may be considered a violation of privacy laws, depending on the jurisdiction and the specific circumstances.

For example, in the European Union, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requires that companies obtain explicit consent from users before collecting and processing their personal data, including information collected through browser fingerprinting. In the United States, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and other state laws place similar requirements on companies that collect personal data from users.

It's important to note that laws and regulations regarding the use of browser fingerprinting and other tracking technologies are constantly evolving, and it's always a good idea to stay informed about the legal landscape in your jurisdiction. If you have concerns about sites that use device fingerprinting or other tracking techniques, you may want to consider using privacy-focused tools and practices to protect your online privacy.

There are several ways that devices and web browsers can prevent various fingerprinting techniques:

Use a privacy-focused web browser: Some web browsers, such as Mozilla Firefox with the Privacy Badger extension, Brave Browser, or the Tor Browser, are designed to block or disguise the information that is typically collected for fingerprinting purposes. These browsers may also include features like tracking protection, cookie blocking, and anti-fingerprinting technologies to help protect users' privacy.

Use a virtual private network (VPN): A VPN can mask a user's IP address and encrypt their internet connection, making it more difficult for websites to track their online activity or identify their device.

Use browser extensions: There are various browser extensions that can block tracking cookies and other forms of tracking, such as Ghostery. These extensions can help prevent websites from collecting information about the user's browsing history and preferences. You could even disable client-side JavaScript, but this may prevent many sites from working and cause an unusable user experience.

Keep your web browser and operating system up to date: Keeping your web browser and operating system up to date can help prevent vulnerabilities that could be exploited for tracking purposes.

Clear your browser's cache and cookies regularly: Clearing your browser's cache and cookies can help prevent websites from tracking your browsing history and preferences.

Be cautious when sharing personal information online: Be selective about the information you share on social media and other websites, and consider using a pseudonym or fake name instead of your real name to protect your privacy.

By using these methods, you can help prevent fingerprinting and protect your online privacy. It's important to note that no single method is foolproof, and it may be necessary to use a combination of these techniques to effectively protect yourself from fingerprinting and other forms of online tracking.

Comparing fingerprinting with tracking cookies

Fingerprinting and tracking cookies are two techniques that are commonly used by websites to identify and track users online. Both methods have the potential to compromise users' privacy, but they work in different ways and have different implications for users and website owners.

Fingerprinting involves collecting information about a user's web browser and device, such as the version of the browser, the type of device, the operating system, the language preference, and other details. A lot of this information comes from a “user agent” string, which contains a string of browser and type information for internet users (such as Chrome, Apple, etc.). This information is then used to create a unique fingerprint for the user, which can be used to identify and track them as they browse the web. Fingerprinting can be difficult to detect and block, as it does not rely on the use of traditional tracking technologies like cookies - and is even possible in private browsing or incognito modes.

Tracking cookies, on the other hand, are small pieces of data that are stored on a user's device when they visit a website. These cookies can be used to track the user's online activity, including the pages they visit and the actions they take on a website. Tracking cookies can be deleted by the user or blocked by their web browser, but they are generally easier for users to detect and manage than fingerprinting.

One key difference between fingerprinting and tracking cookies is that fingerprinting does not require the user's consent, while tracking cookies typically do. Under privacy laws like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) in the United States, websites are required to obtain explicit consent from users before collecting and processing their personal data, including information collected through tracking cookies. This means that users have more control over the use of tracking cookies than they do over fingerprinting.

Another difference is that fingerprinting is generally more accurate and harder to evade than tracking cookies. While cookies can be deleted or blocked, it is much more difficult to change the characteristics of a user's browser or device that are used for fingerprinting. This makes fingerprinting a more reliable way for websites to track user visits, but also a more invasive one.

In conclusion, both fingerprinting and tracking cookies can be used to track and identify users online, but they work in different ways and have different implications for privacy. While tracking cookies require the user's consent and can be more easily managed by the user, fingerprinting is more accurate and harder to detect. Both techniques can compromise users' privacy, and it is important for users to be aware of these technologies and to take steps to protect their online privacy if they are concerned.

What are canvas and WebGL fingerprinting?

Canvas fingerprinting is a technique used to track and identify web users by using the HTML5 canvas element in the user's web browser. The canvas element is a feature of modern web browsers that allows developers to draw graphics and render text on a web page using JavaScript.

Canvas fingerprinting works by rendering a hidden graphic on the user's canvas element and then collecting information about the user's device and web browser, such as the screen resolution, browser version, and font list. This information is then used to create a unique "fingerprint" or device ID for the user, which can be used to identify and track the user across different websites.

WebGL fingerprinting is a similar technique that uses the WebGL (Web Graphics Library) feature of modern web browsers to create a digital fingerprint for a user. WebGL is a JavaScript API that allows developers to create interactive 3D graphics on a web page. Like canvas fingerprinting, WebGL fingerprinting works by rendering a hidden graphic on the user's web page and collecting information about the unique user's device and web browser.

Both canvas fingerprinting and WebGL fingerprinting are controversial because they can be used to track users without their knowledge or consent. Many web browsers, such as Brave, now offer privacy settings that allow users to block or limit the use of these techniques, or to use browser extensions that block them.

Using Skiff Mail for private mail without tracking

If you’re frustrated by constant tracking and invasions of privacy, you should switch to 

- a private, end-to-end encrypted email product with a built in calendar, end-to-end encrypted file storage, and aliases for tracking protection. The product is free and easy to use with apps available on macOS, iOS, Android, and more.

If you have any questions on privacy, avoiding tracking, and preserving freedom online, contact us on 

What is device and browser fingerprinting?

 for over four decades with billions of emails sent and received every single day. It's arguably one of the oldest means of digital communication and mature enough such that one could configure and run their own email server to serve emails using their own domain name. Governments, multinational corporations, and families all rely on email as a cornerstone of asynchronous communication and management.

On a high level, running one's own email server a.k.a SMTP server involves running an incoming email server to receive email messages, an outgoing email server to send email messages, and a email client or web interface to perform the compose, send and read operations.

Let's understand the components involved in running a email server.

It is a web-based mail client used to compose, send, receive & read messages (eg. Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook).

The two popular ways of accessing email messages are Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) defined in the 

 standard and Post Office Protocol version 3 (POP3) defined in the 

, the email client is a private and end-to-end encrypted where email messages are first encrypted before sending them. For more details on how Skiff provides privacy & encryption follow this 

Outgoing Mail Server or Mail Submission Agent (MSA)

Responsible for sending messages to Message Transfer Agent (MTA). MSA must only accept messages from authenticated users.

Incoming Mail Server or Mail Transfer Agent (MTA)

Responsible for delivering the messages sent by other email servers. It queues the messages and/or forward to a Message Delivery Agent (MDA) for further processing & storage.

A message store can be any database or file system used for storing the incoming & outgoing email messages. It is accessed by the MUA to view the received & sent messages.

A spec that defines how an email client (MUA) submits email messages and how the MTA's should transfer those messages.

This section walks through how a typical email send and receive workflow works, as well as how an email server itself operates.

Email messages between senders and recipients flow through multiple steps. In many cases, the sender and recipient are using different email service providers and different email servers around the world, requiring multiple steps before an email gets to its final destination.

Sender users the email client to compose the message and send it via the outgoing mail server and store the message in the message store so it can be accessed later.

The outgoing mail server then communicates with recipient’s incoming mail server over SMTP protocol and performs a handshake to deliver the email message to recipient’s email address or email account.

The recipient’s server then stores the email message on the recipient’s email provider message store.

Ultimately, the recipient can access the email message using the email client and compose a response which will be sent via the recipients email provider outgoing mail server.

Alternatively, a Mail Delivery Agent (MDA) may be used to process the email messages queued by the incoming mail server. The MDA is responsible for actually storing the email messages and perform any business logic - custom spam filtering, user lookups and so on. This is to keep the functionality of the incoming mail server to a minimum and achieve high availability & low latency for email delivery.

Running an email server comes with security challenges. There is huge potential for spam & abuse if the email server is not configured properly. A large part of running an email server successfully involves effectively filtering spam email messages and maintaining high IP reputation of the IPs associated to the outgoing mail server.

Here are a few basic security configurations that are critical to maintaining high deliverability of email messages and filtering spam messages. These apply to all email or smtp servers.

Just like web servers, communication between the client and email servers can be secured using Transport Layer Security (TLS). STARTTLS is the extension for SMTP protocol specified in the 

 as a way to explicitly request TLS connections by clients.

Only authenticated users/clients must be able to send messages via the outgoing mail server. This is important because bad actors could leverage an open outgoing email server to send spam and damage the reputation of the email server.

In addition, it is recommended to run the outgoing email server over a private network behind NAT (Network Address Translation) gateways to restrict public access.

Email Server DNS (Domain Name System) Configuration

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