How do I sign in?

You can sign in on Mailshell's front door by entering your password and any one of the following user identifications:

• If you signed up by choosing a username and received an @mailshell.com address, you can just enter that username.



• If you signed up by supplying an email address, you can enter that email address.



• If you use a Mailshell subdomain (e.g., jane.mailshell.com) for your disposable addresses, you can enter that subdomain.



• If you are using a registered domain (e.g., joe.com) for your disposable addresses, you can enter that domain.

When you're done, click the "Sign In" button.

You can also click the "options" link to see more sign-in options such as "Remember me" and "Secure Sign-In" or to request a new password.

If you are having trouble signing in, see below for more help.

What does "Remember me" mean?

When you sign in with your username and password, Mailshell can use cookies so your browser "remembers" this information if you check the "Remember me" box. You won't have to sign in each time you come back to Mailshell, although we may ask you to re-enter your password if you've been away from the computer for too long. Please note that if you sign out, you will need to re-enter your username and password when you return.

• Should I check this box or not? If you are concerned that other people might be able to access your account, do not check this box and be sure to click "Sign Out" when you leave your computer--this will ensure that you will be asked for a username and password the next time you go to Mailshell. If you use a shared computer (in a library, Internet cafe, university, airport, or other common area) do not check this box.



• What if I change my mind? If you don't want your browser to remember you anymore, just sign out by clicking the "Sign Out" link at the top of any page. You can always check the box again whenever you sign in.

What does "Sign-In Mode" mean?

Mailshell gives you the option of encrypting your sign-in information by using secure mode. When you sign in using secure mode, you are using industry-standard SSL encryption, a technology created for managing the security of message transmissions on the Internet. Since secure mode pages take longer to download, most users choose to sign in using standard mode.

If you receive browser warnings when going from secure mode pages to non-SSL Mailshell sites, it is most likely a warning that you are switching servers. As long as your data is entered on a secure mode page, it will only be transmitted to a Mailshell SSL server.

Please note that secure mode is not supported by all browsers. You may need to download the latest version of your browser to take advantage of secure sign-in.

I'm having trouble signing in. What should I do?

First, check the caps lock on your keyboard--passwords are case-sensitive. Otherwise, the easiest way to resolve most sign-in problems is to request a new password.

If you originally signed up with a username and received an @mailshell.com email address, remember that you only need to enter the username (e.g., "joe") and not the full email address (e.g., "joe@mailshell.com").

If you originally signed up with a forwarding address and have been using that address to sign in, remember that you must enter the entire email address (e.g., "joe@domain.com"), not just the name (e.g., "joe"), and check that you are using the email address you used to sign up. (If you aren't sure which email address that is, you can simply try all the ones you may have used or check your accounts for the welcome email you received after signing up.) If you still can't sign in with an email address, try using your custom domain (e.g., joe.com) or Mailshell subdomain (e.g., joe.mailshell.com) instead.

You may also experience problems if cookies are not fully enabled in your browser. Different browsers control cookies in different ways, but here's how to check your settings in a few of the most common browsers:

• In Internet Explorer 5, go to Tools > Internet Options, click the "Security" tab, and click the "Custom Level" button. Scroll down and make sure that both cookies stored on your computer and per-session cookies are enabled.



• In Internet Explorer 6, go to Tools > Internet Options, click the "Privacy" tab, and try moving the slider to a lower setting. You can also specifically authorize Mailshell to use cookies by clicking the "Edit" button, entering "mailshell.com" as the website address, and clicking the "Allow" button.



• In Netscape 6, go to Edit > Preferences, double-click on "Advanced," and click on "Cookies." Make sure that "Enable all cookies" is selected.



• In AOL 6.0, go to Settings > Preferences, click "Internet Properties," click the "Security" tab, and click the "Custom Level" button. Scroll down and make sure that both cookies stored on your computer and per-session cookies are enabled.

If you are still having trouble, contact the Mailshell Support Desk. Your question should be answered within two business days.

What should I do if I forgot my password?

If you have forgotten your password or your password is not working, the best solution is to request a new password.

• From the sign-in options page, click the "request a new password" link.



• Enter the username you use to sign in with Mailshell and click the "Request New Password" button.



• Mailshell will now need to verify your identity. Depending on whether you have specified a secret question and whether you have the Premium Service, you will either need to answer a verification question and enter a new password, or a new temporary password will be emailed to your active forwarding address. (If a temporary password is emailed to you, you should sign in and change it as soon as you can.)

If you are still unable to sign in, please contact the Mailshell Support Desk. Your question should be answered within two business days.

What should I do if I forgot my username?

If you originally signed up by supplying an email address and have been using that to sign in, you can try searching different email accounts you might have used for the original welcome message, or just try entering all the addresses you frequently use.

Otherwise, if you still can't sign in, to ensure everyone's security, you must create a new account. Contact the Mailshell Support Desk if you have questions; you should receive an answer within two business days.

Can I change my username once I've registered?

No, you cannot change your username once you have registered.

If you want to change your username because you originally signed up with a forwarding address, have been using that address to sign in, and now no longer have access to it, remember that you do have the option of using your custom domain or Mailshell subdomain to sign in instead. Be sure to type the entire domain name: joe.com, bill.org, jane.mailshell.com.

If I close the email address I used to sign up, do I still use it to sign in?

Yes: if you originally signed up by supplying an email address and have been using that to sign in, that email address will always be your username, even if that account is closed or you stop forwarding email there. If you do not wish to use that email address to sign in, you can use your personal domain (e.g., joe.com) or subdomain (e.g., jane.mailshell.com) instead.

How do I sign out?

Click the "Sign Out" link at the top of any page.