Hotmail rolled out a new feature last week that allows users to create disposable email aliases for their Hotmail accounts. The key benefit of an aliasing system is that users can create additional identities without compromising their primary address, which makes it easier to keep accounts safe from spam and unsolicited mailers. 

To be clear, Hotmail already has the ability use a "+" sign followed by a word to create an ad-hoc address that can be sorted into different folders using predetermined rules. While this is useful on some levels, the presence of the "+" character makes it possible (and relatively easy) for spammers to determine the address of the primary account.

The new alias feature however, allows users to create "completely different email addresses that you can use to receive email into your primary account without anyone knowing what your primary email account is," writes Dharmesh Mehta, Windows Live director of product management in the Windows Team blog. The email aliases are obtained in the same manner as signing up for new accounts, except that they require no extra log-ins or upkeep. For now, users will be limited to adding five aliases per year to each Hotmail account, with up to 15 aliases allowed in total.

For more on this story:
- check out this article at Inside Windows Live blog
- check out this article at IT Pro Portal
- check out this article at CNET News

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