An exposed email address can attract spam or targeted messages, but it does not automatically mean the mailbox password is known. Start by separating evidence of unwanted mail from evidence of unauthorized account access.
Check the important account first
Use the mailbox provider's own security page to review recent activity and recovery settings. If there are signs of compromise, follow that provider's recovery instructions. Avoid using links in an unsolicited warning to reach those settings.
Contain unwanted mail
- Use the provider's spam or phishing reporting controls for suspicious messages.
- Unsubscribe through trusted services you recognize; do not treat every unexpected link as safe.
- Use filters for recurring, legitimate mail you want to keep out of the main view.
- Keep important recovery mail distinguishable from promotions.
Introduce aliases where they help
A dedicated alias for an ongoing service makes future sorting or retirement easier. Verify the replacement address before disabling the old alias, especially when account changes require confirmation at both addresses.
Use temporary addresses prospectively
A temporary address may reduce future disclosure during a short, low-stakes interaction. It cannot retract an address already copied into somebody else's records, and it should not replace the recovery address of a valuable account.
If a message arrives at a service-specific alias, that is a useful clue about where the address was used. It is not conclusive proof of who leaked it: forwarding, shared systems and authorized processors may also be involved.