private macOS email cliant

[jeyf]

searching for a 3rd party PRIVATE mail client that dost read my emails. Dosnt access my contacts, etc. Not interested in encrypted emails, just a little privacy:
-the macOS iStore does not require a "Apple Privacy" statement like the iOS iStore des
-not looking for a "free" hand out, wiling to pay for what I use

the macOS iStore is really lacking
maybe ThunderBird. Ii has not gotten any attention in a couple of years tho?

Canary mail client might fit my needs
-the company says they maybe do not share user information
-no windows implementation but has iOS & macOS clients priced $20 ea

looking to Photon Mail as my email provider
-again not really looking to encrypt but would like some privacy
-Photon has their own iOS emai client (not that recently updated)

 

[sgtaylor5]

I've been using MailMate as my email client and FastMail as my personal email/contacts/calendar provider (Gandi.net as my work domain/website/email provider) and that setup seems fairly private.

A true IMAP client shouldn't read your emails, nor store them nor your connection data on their servers. It should connect to your IMAP provider and download the emails to your computer only and provide offline support.

MailMate is bulletproof (!) and text-only (with markdown support) - $50 (one-time purchase) and FastMail is from $30 - $50/year.

I do let MailMate see my contacts list, but that's for work purposes mostly.

 

[Erehy Dobon]

The most obvious candidate would be freeware Thunderbird which is a direct descendant of the mid-Nineties Netscape Communicator. I have used every single incarnation of this mail client over the past 25+ years on a variety of different platforms and operating systems.

The Mozilla Foundation dropped their support of Thunderbird several years ago. It is now limping along as a freeware open source project funded by donations. They have zero budget for marketing; that's why you haven't heard much about it recently.

 

[Apple_Robert]

searching for a 3rd party PRIVATE mail client that dost read my emails. Dosnt access my contacts, etc. Not interested in encrypted emails, just a little privacy:
-the macOS iStore does not require a "Apple Privacy" statement like the iOS iStore des
-not looking for a "free" hand out, wiling to pay for what I use

the macOS iStore is really lacking
maybe ThunderBird. Ii has not gotten any attention in a couple of years tho?

Canary mail client might fit my needs
-the company says they maybe do not share user information
-no windows implementation but has iOS & macOS clients priced $20 ea

looking to Photon Mail as my email provider
-again not really looking to encrypt but would like some privacy
-Photon has their own iOS emai client

Canary Mail Encryption and user credentials article

https://canarymail.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/1500001692241-Why-does-Canary-Mail-offer-Push-notifications-

 

[jeyf]

apple's new iOS iStore disclosure policy is telling on a lot of these email clients for the iPhone

i got a free protonmail account to expirement with.
trying to adjust DNS records between a godaddy domain name & protonemail

my goal in all this is a more private email. Not really looking for encryption.

 

[fwilers]

An email client should be able to contact the email server directly, i.e. exchange server, and say I'm here. Do the ssl/tls encryption and then provide credentials.
I'm not sure why these 3rd party email apps have email and credentials go through their own servers. They make up excuses like "need to provide enhancements" like push notifications.
The email app should be able to accept the push notifications from the email servers. 3rd party does not need to provide this.

 

[Nacho Varga]

The most obvious candidate would be freeware Thunderbird which is a direct descendant of the mid-Nineties Netscape Communicator. I have used every single incarnation of this mail client over the past 25+ years on a variety of different platforms and operating systems.

The Mozilla Foundation dropped their support of Thunderbird several years ago. It is now limping along as a freeware open source project funded by donations. They have zero budget for marketing; that's why you haven't heard much about it recently.

You took the words right out of my mouth! Been using Thunderbird for more than 2 years, and it works well. And it is compatible with Big Sur.

 

[Ruggy]

I think a client or host that doesn't read your emails doesn't exist for the simple reason that they all scan for spam and malware if nothing else.
They will scan addresses from known spammers and they will scan subject and content for keywords
What they do with the information- that's another thing. Some are definitely more careful with it than others.
Clearly, if all your email is going through something like Gmail then you know perfectly well they are using your data to target you with advertising.
Also if you ever look at fully paid services you'll know they are quite expensive.
You pay about $4 for the hosting then usually you pay extra for anti-spam and privacy, more for larger attachments, more aliases, larger data allowance.
If the paid ones are expensive, how do free services make their money? By using your data. There's no way round it, it's got to be that way.

Proton has a good reputation and you don't need to have encryption at both ends.
Mailbox also has a good reputation. I use both.
I don't think Macmail does anything to be worried about but if you want to try another client, then I agree Thunderbird is pretty much all you need. I don't find it any better than Macmail though.
When Macmail is a bit slow then thunderbird is too.

Mailbox:

Secure e-mail for private and business customers | mailbox.org

mailbox.org ► secure and ad-free e-mail ✓ online office & cloud storage ✓ 100% green energy ✓ server location in Germany ✓ from 1,- Euro per month ✓ free trial!

mailbox.org

 

[chrfr]

my goal in all this is a more private email. Not really looking for encryption.

Why not just use the Apple mail client?

 

[jeyf]

for the total ultimate in email security:

consider running your own email server

to get a head start on this (you must have one) reference my notes:

Hosting your own email server via Mail-in-a-Box
There is one final option to consider, and that’s hosting your own email server. If you’re considering this option, you’re a brave soul. Hosting an email server can be a complicated and challenging project that requires at least an intermediate familiarity with Linux operating system (specifically Ubuntu), server software, and PC hardware alike. There is one service, called Mail-in-a-Box, that aims to make the process much easier to set up and alleviate some of the hardware requirements that running your own email server entails. However, despite Mail-in-a-box streamlining much of the process, the whole project still takes several hours, and that’s not including the time necessary to build the server computer itself. Furthermore, if you decide to try out Mail-in-a-box, do note the project’s goals, as stated by the creators on the official page:
-“Make deploying a good mail server easy.”
-“Promote decentralization, innovation, and privacy on the web.”
-“Have automated, auditable, and idempotent system configuration.”
-“Not make a totally unhackable, NSA-proof server (but see our security practices).”
-“Not make something customizable by power users.”
Those last two are important, especially if they conflict with your ultimate goal behind running a private email server. There technically are methods for creating an email server that approximates a digital Fort Knox, but only seriously skilled users should attempt something like that. In fact, unless you came here looking specifically for tips on setting up your own private email server, it’s best to leave this one to the professionals.

 

[chrfr]

consider running your own email server

Are you looking for a mail client or a mail service? Running your own mail server doesn't have anything to do with your original question.

 

[jeyf]

out grown gmail and need a new improved email experience with privacy, no need for encryption tho
4example:
we had a very old house pet pass away; now we get promotions form the American Cremation Institute for what ever reason. The house pet was an Irish Setter, we also are getting promotional about Irish Setter hunting boots.

the iOS apple store is requiring reporting how applications sell your information. Very telling for some applications. I think i found some email providers and iOS macOS clients that will work for me.


as far as the DIY email server... i thought it was interesting.
should I have started a new thread?

 

[chrfr]

as far as the DIY email server... i thought it was interesting.
should I have started a new thread?

It's just not clear what you're looking for. It sounds like what you need is a different mail provider, not a different mail client. Gmail is a mail provider/service which happens to have an optional client app. Free mail services will have to have ways to make money.
Running a mail server is very complex to get right, and doing so isn't going to be free.

 

[jeyf]

i got a paid email account from an off shore email provider
i got a private .COM domain name and added the email providers MX records to it
good by google

tomorrow i am looking at the Canary mail client for macOS and iOS

 

[svenmany]

I use Fastmail as a provider and Apple Mail (Mac and iPhone) to access the mail. I also like their web app and their dedicated iPhone app when I want to do something special (settings or spam control).

I have a bunch of domains whose mail I direct to my account, some by setting the MX records on my registrar's name servers and some by using the Fastmail name servers.

I consider the service to be first rate.

 

[jeyf]

fastmail
-only a rumor; fastMail has been recycling old previous used email names. if a popular name is like popular_name@fastmail.com there is some possibility you could get someone's emails. This is not an issue if you obfuscate your name@Fastmail.com and normally you would do this if you do not plan to use the fastmail.com domain name. I do not know if fastmail has done this or continue this practice. Only a rumor.
-the fastmail iOS email application has not been updated in a while. Wonder why. Recent iOS application revisions, new applications, in the iOS store require an apple privacy disclosure. A must to read this disclosure. dont think apple is doing this for macOS applications.


caution:
if you buy services from an off shore IT company best if you not disclose personal information. Like your credit card#. An ideal disclosure situation; is an alias, password and you pay with bitcoin. If you buy an iStore application consider the Apple Hide My Email option, an apple sign in method.


reference:
restoreprivacy.com

worth while to mention here; dont do anything illegal. At minimum cheaters always get caught.
i do not represent any of these products and I do not have expert knowledge. Do your own research.

 

[svenmany]

fastmail
-only a rumor; fastMail has been recycling old previous used email names. if a popular name is like popular_name@fastmail.com there is some possibility you could get someone's emails. This is not an issue if you obfuscate your name@Fastmail.com and normally you would do this if you do not plan to use the fastmail.com domain name. I do not know if fastmail has done this or continue this practice. Only a rumor.
-the fastmail iOS email application has not been updated in a while. Wonder why. Recent iOS application revisions, new applications, in the iOS store require an apple privacy disclosure. A must to read this disclosure. dont think apple is doing this for macOS applications.


caution:
if you buy services from an off shore IT company best if you not disclose personal information. Like your credit card#. An ideal disclosure situation; is an alias, password and you pay with bitcoin. If you buy an iStore application consider the Apple Hide My Email option, an apple sign in method.


reference:
restoreprivacy.com

worth while to mention here; dont do anything illegal. At minimum cheaters always get caught.
i do not represent any of these products and I do not have expert knowledge. Do your own research.

Thanks for the information.

I chose my Fastmail user name. I think you're saying that they would have allowed me to do that even if some past user had used that name. Is that right?

Over the decades of purchases, many times my credit card numbers have been visible over seas. What are the risks other than identity theft? There is no risks on someone making purchase with the card number.

 

[ignatius345]

out grown gmail and need a new improved email experience with privacy, no need for encryption tho
4example:
we had a very old house pet pass away; now we get promotions form the American Cremation Institute for what ever reason. The house pet was an Irish Setter, we also are getting promotional about Irish Setter hunting boots.

If you're using Gmail, then 1) they're definitely mining your emails for stuff to market to you and 2) your desire for more privacy is not at all going to be addressed by switching mail clients.

I'd suggest migrating away from Gmail first. It's just the most obvious hole in your privacy.

I use iCloud for more and more of my stuff these days and I like it, and I don't think it's mined by Apple for marketing purposes, though I'd be curious to read more about that.

Fastmail is quite good, as others have pointed out. I'm not sure about the "recycling" of old user names, but I don't see getting someone else's old emails as any kind of security problem, and anyway it's easy enough to block senders if it's a nuisance. Their spam controls are also quite good and have very granular controls.

 

[jeyf]

if you use a personal domain name on top of your email providor's to mask it, you can switch email providers and no one will know. It was key to me that i do not share my personal info and the provider does not keep open text logs.

i dont represent fastmail.

 

[vault]

for the total ultimate in email security:

consider running your own email server

to get a head start on this (you must have one) reference my notes:

Hosting your own email server via Mail-in-a-Box
There is one final option to consider, and that’s hosting your own email server. If you’re considering this option, you’re a brave soul. Hosting an email server can be a complicated and challenging project that requires at least an intermediate familiarity with Linux operating system (specifically Ubuntu), server software, and PC hardware alike. There is one service, called Mail-in-a-Box, that aims to make the process much easier to set up and alleviate some of the hardware requirements that running your own email server entails. However, despite Mail-in-a-box streamlining much of the process, the whole project still takes several hours, and that’s not including the time necessary to build the server computer itself. Furthermore, if you decide to try out Mail-in-a-box, do note the project’s goals, as stated by the creators on the official page:
-“Make deploying a good mail server easy.”
-“Promote decentralization, innovation, and privacy on the web.”
-“Have automated, auditable, and idempotent system configuration.”
-“Not make a totally unhackable, NSA-proof server (but see our security practices).”
-“Not make something customizable by power users.”
Those last two are important, especially if they conflict with your ultimate goal behind running a private email server. There technically are methods for creating an email server that approximates a digital Fort Knox, but only seriously skilled users should attempt something like that. In fact, unless you came here looking specifically for tips on setting up your own private email server, it’s best to leave this one to the professionals.

Running your own email server is not a good idea any more, especially if you don't know what you're doing. Chances are Google and the rest of the big email mafia (including Apple) will mark you as spam no matter what you do. I have seen cases where all the best practices were followed (dkim, spf, dmarc and whatnot) and they would still do it, no explanation.

 

[sgtaylor5]

I have seen that I have to use a credit card and not a debit card when I pay for my FastMail account each year. When I tried using a debit card to pay, my bank’s fraud department would stop it every time. Credit cards are made for international purchases.

 

[ignatius345]

for the total ultimate in email security:

consider running your own email server

to get a head start on this (you must have one) reference my notes:

Hosting your own email server via Mail-in-a-Box
There is one final option to consider, and that’s hosting your own email server. If you’re considering this option, you’re a brave soul. Hosting an email server can be a complicated and challenging project that requires at least an intermediate familiarity with Linux operating system (specifically Ubuntu), server software, and PC hardware alike. There is one service, called Mail-in-a-Box, that aims to make the process much easier to set up and alleviate some of the hardware requirements that running your own email server entails. However, despite Mail-in-a-box streamlining much of the process, the whole project still takes several hours, and that’s not including the time necessary to build the server computer itself. Furthermore, if you decide to try out Mail-in-a-box, do note the project’s goals, as stated by the creators on the official page:
-“Make deploying a good mail server easy.”
-“Promote decentralization, innovation, and privacy on the web.”
-“Have automated, auditable, and idempotent system configuration.”
-“Not make a totally unhackable, NSA-proof server (but see our security practices).”
-“Not make something customizable by power users.”
Those last two are important, especially if they conflict with your ultimate goal behind running a private email server. There technically are methods for creating an email server that approximates a digital Fort Knox, but only seriously skilled users should attempt something like that. In fact, unless you came here looking specifically for tips on setting up your own private email server, it’s best to leave this one to the professionals.

This sounds great if you want an unpaid position as a system administrator. If my security requirements were really that dire (and they definitely are not) I'd probably choose something like ProtonMail.

 

[jeyf]

everyone says email maintance is more than expected.
covid work at home situation...
all legal but add just a few zero's on the left and every transaction becomes critical. A few more and it becomes news worthy.


your bank is trying to tell you something on the international transactions.
exodus is easy to use.

 

[svenmany]

I ran an email server for years in the 90's. Eventually, as spam became an issue at large, some of my outgoing emails started bouncing. So, to save the pain of that, rather than looking for some solution, I just gave it up and used a public email server.

I suppose nowadays we have DMARC, SPF, and DKIM, so it probably is no longer a problem.

 

[ratspg]

I've run multiple email servers for 10 years+. I think maybe I've had 1-2 hours of downtime in that entire time period. No issues whatsoever. People really make it sound scary, but it's not. Check out Luke Smith on Youtube with videos on how to setup a mail server in less than 40 minutes of your time. It'll give you a great idea and overview. Good luck!