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Should I use my personal e-mail address, or my workplace one, when registering to external websites for work purposes?



The 2019 Stack Overflow Developer Survey Results Are InHow long should I wait for an e-mail when applied for an internshipChoosing professional name for mail address when the domain is “NameSurname.xxx”



.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;








94















I need to register at, for example, oracle.com and docker.com to download some (free) stuff, etc.



  • These accounts would be used only for the job I do at my company.

  • My company doesn't have any commercial relation to these other companies.

  • My company doesn't require me to use these websites, I just want to register at them because some specific task asks for it, or just because I want to.

  • Like most companies, they do not allow us to use the company's e-mail account for personal related stuff.

  • Although this is not a requirement, my workmates suggested I should avoid accessing personal mailboxes in the workstation.

  • If registering at these websites, there's a chance of receiving mail marketing even doing my best to opt them out at registering.

Should I use @company.com or @gmail.com?










share|improve this question









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  • 6





    How do the first and third point fit together? Either your work requires using those services, then you obviously use the work email, or your job doesn't require those services, then why the heck do you need access to them?

    – Polygnome
    Apr 8 at 22:22






  • 4





    Will you continue to own the account and all assets associated with it after you leave this employer?

    – jpmc26
    2 days ago






  • 8





    @Polygnome Naybe because it isn't a strict requirement of the job per se, but a convenience to make the job easier?

    – glglgl
    2 days ago






  • 4





    @Polygnome Stackoverflow is a good example of a site that fitted the third point for me.

    – Ian
    yesterday






  • 1





    @Ian - I've tended to keep separate Stackoverflow accounts for personal and work use, and a new account each time I change jobs.

    – Spudley
    yesterday

















94















I need to register at, for example, oracle.com and docker.com to download some (free) stuff, etc.



  • These accounts would be used only for the job I do at my company.

  • My company doesn't have any commercial relation to these other companies.

  • My company doesn't require me to use these websites, I just want to register at them because some specific task asks for it, or just because I want to.

  • Like most companies, they do not allow us to use the company's e-mail account for personal related stuff.

  • Although this is not a requirement, my workmates suggested I should avoid accessing personal mailboxes in the workstation.

  • If registering at these websites, there's a chance of receiving mail marketing even doing my best to opt them out at registering.

Should I use @company.com or @gmail.com?










share|improve this question









New contributor




Eric Sant'Anna is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.















  • 6





    How do the first and third point fit together? Either your work requires using those services, then you obviously use the work email, or your job doesn't require those services, then why the heck do you need access to them?

    – Polygnome
    Apr 8 at 22:22






  • 4





    Will you continue to own the account and all assets associated with it after you leave this employer?

    – jpmc26
    2 days ago






  • 8





    @Polygnome Naybe because it isn't a strict requirement of the job per se, but a convenience to make the job easier?

    – glglgl
    2 days ago






  • 4





    @Polygnome Stackoverflow is a good example of a site that fitted the third point for me.

    – Ian
    yesterday






  • 1





    @Ian - I've tended to keep separate Stackoverflow accounts for personal and work use, and a new account each time I change jobs.

    – Spudley
    yesterday













94












94








94


9






I need to register at, for example, oracle.com and docker.com to download some (free) stuff, etc.



  • These accounts would be used only for the job I do at my company.

  • My company doesn't have any commercial relation to these other companies.

  • My company doesn't require me to use these websites, I just want to register at them because some specific task asks for it, or just because I want to.

  • Like most companies, they do not allow us to use the company's e-mail account for personal related stuff.

  • Although this is not a requirement, my workmates suggested I should avoid accessing personal mailboxes in the workstation.

  • If registering at these websites, there's a chance of receiving mail marketing even doing my best to opt them out at registering.

Should I use @company.com or @gmail.com?










share|improve this question









New contributor




Eric Sant'Anna is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.












I need to register at, for example, oracle.com and docker.com to download some (free) stuff, etc.



  • These accounts would be used only for the job I do at my company.

  • My company doesn't have any commercial relation to these other companies.

  • My company doesn't require me to use these websites, I just want to register at them because some specific task asks for it, or just because I want to.

  • Like most companies, they do not allow us to use the company's e-mail account for personal related stuff.

  • Although this is not a requirement, my workmates suggested I should avoid accessing personal mailboxes in the workstation.

  • If registering at these websites, there's a chance of receiving mail marketing even doing my best to opt them out at registering.

Should I use @company.com or @gmail.com?







email websites






share|improve this question









New contributor




Eric Sant'Anna is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question









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share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited yesterday









Community

1




1






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asked Apr 8 at 13:16









Eric Sant'AnnaEric Sant'Anna

566127




566127




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New contributor





Eric Sant'Anna is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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Check out our Code of Conduct.







  • 6





    How do the first and third point fit together? Either your work requires using those services, then you obviously use the work email, or your job doesn't require those services, then why the heck do you need access to them?

    – Polygnome
    Apr 8 at 22:22






  • 4





    Will you continue to own the account and all assets associated with it after you leave this employer?

    – jpmc26
    2 days ago






  • 8





    @Polygnome Naybe because it isn't a strict requirement of the job per se, but a convenience to make the job easier?

    – glglgl
    2 days ago






  • 4





    @Polygnome Stackoverflow is a good example of a site that fitted the third point for me.

    – Ian
    yesterday






  • 1





    @Ian - I've tended to keep separate Stackoverflow accounts for personal and work use, and a new account each time I change jobs.

    – Spudley
    yesterday












  • 6





    How do the first and third point fit together? Either your work requires using those services, then you obviously use the work email, or your job doesn't require those services, then why the heck do you need access to them?

    – Polygnome
    Apr 8 at 22:22






  • 4





    Will you continue to own the account and all assets associated with it after you leave this employer?

    – jpmc26
    2 days ago






  • 8





    @Polygnome Naybe because it isn't a strict requirement of the job per se, but a convenience to make the job easier?

    – glglgl
    2 days ago






  • 4





    @Polygnome Stackoverflow is a good example of a site that fitted the third point for me.

    – Ian
    yesterday






  • 1





    @Ian - I've tended to keep separate Stackoverflow accounts for personal and work use, and a new account each time I change jobs.

    – Spudley
    yesterday







6




6





How do the first and third point fit together? Either your work requires using those services, then you obviously use the work email, or your job doesn't require those services, then why the heck do you need access to them?

– Polygnome
Apr 8 at 22:22





How do the first and third point fit together? Either your work requires using those services, then you obviously use the work email, or your job doesn't require those services, then why the heck do you need access to them?

– Polygnome
Apr 8 at 22:22




4




4





Will you continue to own the account and all assets associated with it after you leave this employer?

– jpmc26
2 days ago





Will you continue to own the account and all assets associated with it after you leave this employer?

– jpmc26
2 days ago




8




8





@Polygnome Naybe because it isn't a strict requirement of the job per se, but a convenience to make the job easier?

– glglgl
2 days ago





@Polygnome Naybe because it isn't a strict requirement of the job per se, but a convenience to make the job easier?

– glglgl
2 days ago




4




4





@Polygnome Stackoverflow is a good example of a site that fitted the third point for me.

– Ian
yesterday





@Polygnome Stackoverflow is a good example of a site that fitted the third point for me.

– Ian
yesterday




1




1





@Ian - I've tended to keep separate Stackoverflow accounts for personal and work use, and a new account each time I change jobs.

– Spudley
yesterday





@Ian - I've tended to keep separate Stackoverflow accounts for personal and work use, and a new account each time I change jobs.

– Spudley
yesterday










13 Answers
13






active

oldest

votes


















155














You're not accessing the sites for personal reasons, you're accessing the sites to perform a work activity - ergo, use your work email address.



Furthermore, some companies require verification of an account before activating it, which is usually done via a link sent to you in an email. If you specify your personal address, you have to access that in order to click the link and this is usually prevented or not allowed in a corporate setting.






share|improve this answer


















  • 23





    @Fattie I've never heard of this. What sort of sites are you talking about?

    – Clonkex
    Apr 9 at 0:54






  • 2





    @clonkex for example when renting server time such as AWS it's common to require a phone #

    – user2813274
    Apr 9 at 2:04






  • 2





    I agree that this is the right answer. However, in some cases like Oracle, I feel like account registration is just a way for them to gather personal information they do not need to have access to so I would use a throwaway e-mail account (search for 10 minutes mail). I do not trust them to follow my wishes regarding marketing e-mails and unsubscribe-ability.

    – Thibault D.
    2 days ago







  • 4





    @TomášZato Even assuming you use SO only for things your employer requires you to, which seems unlikely, SO is providing a service to you. When you download software for business use from Oracle, they are licensing it in the context of that business. You can use SO from home, but you can't use software you got a business license for (or whatever) at home. Treat it like calling up a business partner and saying "Hi, this is Matt from <company>" versus "Hi, I'm a random interested person" -- which is more appropriate?

    – Matthew Read
    2 days ago







  • 2





    For StackExchange, I use my personal email.

    – Evorlor
    2 days ago


















75














As suggested by the others, I would use a work-related mail.



However, I would suggest thinking ahead and don't use your personal work mail but one which is tied to your team or is set up especially for using to register at work-related websites. Something like developerteam@compayname.com.



This has the advantage that, if you leave the company its easy for someone to pick and use your accounts without the risk of exposing your emails.






share|improve this answer




















  • 5





    Now that is a good point. plus 1

    – Solar Mike
    Apr 8 at 13:49







  • 55





    While it is a good point... I would not sign up a group email without permission of your team lead or manager. Especially regarding free stuff which each dev may need a license to to be compliant. Paid stuff (support incidents, etc.) is different - then you wouldn't use your own work account (use group account, manager's account, or team lead account).

    – J. Chris Compton
    Apr 8 at 14:10






  • 3





    I'd be really, really hesitant to use a team email for that. That means on each communication, your entire team will get bothered. People usually don't take it lightly if fluff appears in their mailbox.

    – Abigail
    Apr 8 at 20:26






  • 18





    Our recommendation (I work for our org’s IT) is to create a purpose-specific email list (likely with just you as the only member) for each such interaction. Upon your separation, your manager can decide the disposition of your lists (assign to somebody, delete, etc). Use a good description.

    – John Hascall
    Apr 8 at 22:42






  • 1





    I second @JohnHascall's suggestion, that's what we do with accounts for all our service providers (web hosting, ISPs, ad networks, payment processors). Most of them redirect to our general operations alias, but we can customize them as needed, and people can write mail filters for them.

    – Barmar
    Apr 8 at 23:43


















61














It all depends.



For something like StackOverflow I use my personal account as that is something that follows me from job to job.



If I'm registering something particular to my current position I used my work email.






share|improve this answer






























    17














    As a general rule, don't co-mingle work and personal accounts



    Use work accounts for work and setup separate personal accounts for personal use. Many many things can go wrong if you use personal accounts for work:




    1. It can lead to "whose account is it?" disputes: you own the account but the company relies on it and it may contain company data; whose is it now? Everyone's and no-one's. If you leave the company it's possible that the company (their lawyers) may demand that you provide them access to your account (I've read about this more than once on Stack Exchange). Are you okay with that? It's best to avoid this awkward and potentially legally complicated situation if you can.


    2. It can lead to data spills: are you prepared to lose years worth of personal emails because a service unexpectedly leaked proprietary company data to your personal email account (e.g. an automated Jira email contains a comment with legally-protected proprietary information)? What if a spill violates privacy or other laws (note: if you in any way work in healthcare or with the government or a government contractor this is especially important).


    3. It can lead to complicated hand-offs: are you going to give your personal password to the company when you leave the project or company? Probably not, so they will have some work to do if/when you leave, and in the meantime it will cause unnecessary hard feelings.


    4. It can put the company at risk if your account is hacked: suppose your personal account is hacked and used to try to exfiltrate company data (more common than you think), insert malware on the company network, or otherwise gain unauthorized access. Now it's "your fault" because it's your personal account. Not a fun situation to be in, and on top of it you may find yourself with a leak of confidential data into your personal account that has to be cleaned up (and possibly by your company, meaning turning over your credentials). There could be legal repercussions for the company and for yourself if the spill violates any laws.

    In summary, just don't do it.






    share|improve this answer
































      13














      The sharp line is whether company assets and data will be involved



      ... And company assets and data should not be involved if the company hasn't authorized use of the site for those assets or data.



      Another way to think of this is, "when you leave, will the signup/login be part of the hand-off?" Or should your replacement really be getting their own account?



      As an example, StackExchange. If you are using the site for your professional edification, then the edification is for you the person since the lessons will remain in your brain.



      If you are only viewing or downloading assets that are free but behind a signup-wall, then signups are disposable and it's a tossup either way. Consider the nature of the account and its customizations, and revisit the question of whether, if you were replacing another person in a role, you would expect the account to be handed off to you.



      Other than any of that, I would tend to let accounts be personal.



      Don't let the web site decide. For instance if you set up a PayPal account for your company to accept Visa-MC, PayPal will keenly ask a bunch of questions about YOU, and will even demand your personal SSN. That does not make it your account obviously. (It may make it a bad choice of vendor, but PayPal does this because of Know-Your-Customer laws).






      share|improve this answer






























        6














        If its work related, use your work email address.



        As stated, you have work tasks that require you to access information on these websites. I cant imagine a company viewing this as personal.






        share|improve this answer






























          6














          I've faced this issue before and in my opinion it would be ok (or even best) to use your personal email for this.



          Multiple reasons for this:



          • You might need these tools, info, ... for personal use or for other
            projects where you might not have access to you work email.

          • You avoid any spam reaching your professional email.

          • You prevent the companies offering these tools from gathering data
            on/about your company, which may push them to reach out to it etc.

          • As there is no requirement from your company to use these, there
            is also none for you to connect your professional mail to them.

          Of course if you're not allowed to access any personal email or such then the above would not really matter






          share|improve this answer








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          • 6





            I would not use my personal email for work related activity. And as for spam, that is for the IT of the employer to sort out... As long as you are registering for relevant sites you will be ok.

            – Solar Mike
            Apr 8 at 13:48






          • 1





            I'm going to upvote this answer because these were my concerns when I wrote the answer and they make sense, maybe this is a matter of culture in the company.

            – Eric Sant'Anna
            Apr 8 at 14:48






          • 6





            I'd suggest that If you want to use the tools for personal use, then create a different personal account, at home, on your own computer - and keep separate from any work related activities.

            – Laconic Droid
            Apr 8 at 17:25






          • 4





            There are reasons not to do so: it can lead to awkward "who owns" it questions that go away if you use work accounts, you could wind up having confidential work data leaked to your personal email which can be a no-no, it's hard to do a clean hand-off if you need to leave, and if your personal account gets compromised it can put your work network at risk which doesn't look good because it can be considered to be "your fault". If you're worried about being able to use those services outside of work, create two accounts.

            – bob
            Apr 8 at 18:03






          • 2





            Upvoted because not everywhere is the same. Academia (where I work) is an extreme example of a blurring between personal and professional business (and personal email is never blocked in universities). Also in fields where people tend to move jobs fairly frequently maintaining a consistent web presence (or just keeping access to old materials) can mean having to use a personal address in some cases - but make that a fairly professional personal address. And exercise good judgement - don't make your personal email a corporate point of failure.

            – Chris H
            Apr 8 at 19:51


















          5














          I have a dedicated GMail-address for this name-work@gmail.com. I don't use this address for any personal stuff, just work related accounts, mailing lists and similar - that is, if my employer seizes my computer and gets access to this account they won't find anything interesting.



          However, this solution it is pretty useful because on your next work you might need an account at Oracle again and if you have used your @work-address the first time you signed up you probably need to re-register a new account.






          share|improve this answer

























          • This would violate many (most?) employment contracts.

            – Lightness Races in Orbit
            yesterday











          • Not any contract I haveever signed up to. Why would it?

            – d-b
            yesterday











          • Because you're supposed to use company technology for company work? If I start sending emails with the company name in purporting to be about company business, and they don't go through the corporate IT infrastructure, I've gone off-piste. The emails can't be monitored/stored/archived/virus-checked/whatever it is that IT does. Usually you are not permitted to do that. It's also interesting that you say "if my employer seizes my computer and gets access to this account they won't find anything interesting" - the employer's supposed to have access to your work accounts already.

            – Lightness Races in Orbit
            19 hours ago












          • But there is a big grayzone between company and private. If I work as a Java developer I need to stay current with the development of Java which is a private need that is also advantageous for my work. If I ask a Java question on a mailing list that answer might come in handy three years from now when I have changed my work. Besides I didn't suggest you put in your company name in this e-mail address, I suggested you used your name -work or something like that (johndoe-work@gmail.com) which give some relevant information to the recipient of a message too.

            – d-b
            17 hours ago











          • Besides, I think most people would frown upon an employer that seizes your computer and check your private Facebook account that you happened to be logged in to, even if the employer formally might have the right to do that (or takes your company phone and check your private SMS to your partner). In an extreme situation that might happen but normally that is completely unacceptable.

            – d-b
            17 hours ago


















          4














          While all the other answers are clear cut, I can see why you’d hesitate. Take SE itself, for instance, the line between work and personal is blurred. What might start off as "work only" might transition to personal, too and vice versa. Why not use your "personal" rep to start a bounty to get a "work" question answered quickly?



          To account for that, I’d add that many sites have provision to change your registered email address (or merge accounts) should you (e.g.) leave your current company but wish to retain your membership. It’s in their best interests to keep members, too.



          But you should remember to do it while you still have access to both accounts, and remember to delete anything that isn’t explicitly your IP. While I don’t think anyone will come after you for a SE question, github and dockerhub are just about perfect places for unwitting IP leakage. It might be simpler just to start again.






          share|improve this answer






























            1














            I suggest using your personal E-mail account because you may want to use the same site for personal reasons later on.



            Generally I use the company E-mail account only when the company specifically requires me to do so.




            My company doesn't require me to use these websites, I just want to register at them because some specific task asks for it, or just because I want to.




            As stated in your question, this is clearly not the case. Using your personal account is more appropriate.






            share|improve this answer






























              1














              It depends on you company's policy and what websites / tools are we talking about.



              Personally I prefer to use a personal account for management tools, git repositories and other dev tools and websites I use unless I get specific instructions not to do so or if I am sure I will not use the account in case I leave.



              I will however not mix my personal account with my work email account, or a company PayPal account with my own.
              If we're talking about StackExchange (just as an example), I'd rather use my own account.






              share|improve this answer








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                1














                I extensively use Blur for exactly this purpose.



                It allows one to generate a masked email address for each website you wish to register to, which then gets forwarded to your real address.



                This helps protect one against spammers as it allows you to simply block that particular masked address.
                It also indicates which sites/companies are selling your data because you can see if you receive a mail from a random company to a masked address that you gave to only one place.



                The browser extension provides a simple popup dialog when selecting an E-mail field.
                enter image description here






                share|improve this answer






























                  0














                  Are you supposed to transfer the account to your company when you left?



                  If yes, you should use a transferable work email.



                  If it's clear you should keep the account, you should use your personal email. Companies could have specific rules against this in every case. But a github account could have contributed to both company and personal repositories, and there is the flight mileage thing. I'll not assume anything the usual practice, and recommend you not, but clearly some companies are not against this. It may be even impractical to create and use company accounts on some shopping sites, unless you have the highest authority.



                  If nobody cares, it's likely the account will be permanently inactive. But if you don't think it belongs to you anymore anyway, better assume it belongs to your company. But don't think about that too much.



                  To be clear, I consider edu emails ambiguously personal or not, and will not discuss it in this answer.






                  share|improve this answer








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                    protected by Mister Positive 2 days ago



                    Thank you for your interest in this question.
                    Because it has attracted low-quality or spam answers that had to be removed, posting an answer now requires 10 reputation on this site (the association bonus does not count).



                    Would you like to answer one of these unanswered questions instead?














                    13 Answers
                    13






                    active

                    oldest

                    votes








                    13 Answers
                    13






                    active

                    oldest

                    votes









                    active

                    oldest

                    votes






                    active

                    oldest

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                    155














                    You're not accessing the sites for personal reasons, you're accessing the sites to perform a work activity - ergo, use your work email address.



                    Furthermore, some companies require verification of an account before activating it, which is usually done via a link sent to you in an email. If you specify your personal address, you have to access that in order to click the link and this is usually prevented or not allowed in a corporate setting.






                    share|improve this answer


















                    • 23





                      @Fattie I've never heard of this. What sort of sites are you talking about?

                      – Clonkex
                      Apr 9 at 0:54






                    • 2





                      @clonkex for example when renting server time such as AWS it's common to require a phone #

                      – user2813274
                      Apr 9 at 2:04






                    • 2





                      I agree that this is the right answer. However, in some cases like Oracle, I feel like account registration is just a way for them to gather personal information they do not need to have access to so I would use a throwaway e-mail account (search for 10 minutes mail). I do not trust them to follow my wishes regarding marketing e-mails and unsubscribe-ability.

                      – Thibault D.
                      2 days ago







                    • 4





                      @TomášZato Even assuming you use SO only for things your employer requires you to, which seems unlikely, SO is providing a service to you. When you download software for business use from Oracle, they are licensing it in the context of that business. You can use SO from home, but you can't use software you got a business license for (or whatever) at home. Treat it like calling up a business partner and saying "Hi, this is Matt from <company>" versus "Hi, I'm a random interested person" -- which is more appropriate?

                      – Matthew Read
                      2 days ago







                    • 2





                      For StackExchange, I use my personal email.

                      – Evorlor
                      2 days ago















                    155














                    You're not accessing the sites for personal reasons, you're accessing the sites to perform a work activity - ergo, use your work email address.



                    Furthermore, some companies require verification of an account before activating it, which is usually done via a link sent to you in an email. If you specify your personal address, you have to access that in order to click the link and this is usually prevented or not allowed in a corporate setting.






                    share|improve this answer


















                    • 23





                      @Fattie I've never heard of this. What sort of sites are you talking about?

                      – Clonkex
                      Apr 9 at 0:54






                    • 2





                      @clonkex for example when renting server time such as AWS it's common to require a phone #

                      – user2813274
                      Apr 9 at 2:04






                    • 2





                      I agree that this is the right answer. However, in some cases like Oracle, I feel like account registration is just a way for them to gather personal information they do not need to have access to so I would use a throwaway e-mail account (search for 10 minutes mail). I do not trust them to follow my wishes regarding marketing e-mails and unsubscribe-ability.

                      – Thibault D.
                      2 days ago







                    • 4





                      @TomášZato Even assuming you use SO only for things your employer requires you to, which seems unlikely, SO is providing a service to you. When you download software for business use from Oracle, they are licensing it in the context of that business. You can use SO from home, but you can't use software you got a business license for (or whatever) at home. Treat it like calling up a business partner and saying "Hi, this is Matt from <company>" versus "Hi, I'm a random interested person" -- which is more appropriate?

                      – Matthew Read
                      2 days ago







                    • 2





                      For StackExchange, I use my personal email.

                      – Evorlor
                      2 days ago













                    155












                    155








                    155







                    You're not accessing the sites for personal reasons, you're accessing the sites to perform a work activity - ergo, use your work email address.



                    Furthermore, some companies require verification of an account before activating it, which is usually done via a link sent to you in an email. If you specify your personal address, you have to access that in order to click the link and this is usually prevented or not allowed in a corporate setting.






                    share|improve this answer













                    You're not accessing the sites for personal reasons, you're accessing the sites to perform a work activity - ergo, use your work email address.



                    Furthermore, some companies require verification of an account before activating it, which is usually done via a link sent to you in an email. If you specify your personal address, you have to access that in order to click the link and this is usually prevented or not allowed in a corporate setting.







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered Apr 8 at 13:25









                    AdzzzUKAdzzzUK

                    3,8514920




                    3,8514920







                    • 23





                      @Fattie I've never heard of this. What sort of sites are you talking about?

                      – Clonkex
                      Apr 9 at 0:54






                    • 2





                      @clonkex for example when renting server time such as AWS it's common to require a phone #

                      – user2813274
                      Apr 9 at 2:04






                    • 2





                      I agree that this is the right answer. However, in some cases like Oracle, I feel like account registration is just a way for them to gather personal information they do not need to have access to so I would use a throwaway e-mail account (search for 10 minutes mail). I do not trust them to follow my wishes regarding marketing e-mails and unsubscribe-ability.

                      – Thibault D.
                      2 days ago







                    • 4





                      @TomášZato Even assuming you use SO only for things your employer requires you to, which seems unlikely, SO is providing a service to you. When you download software for business use from Oracle, they are licensing it in the context of that business. You can use SO from home, but you can't use software you got a business license for (or whatever) at home. Treat it like calling up a business partner and saying "Hi, this is Matt from <company>" versus "Hi, I'm a random interested person" -- which is more appropriate?

                      – Matthew Read
                      2 days ago







                    • 2





                      For StackExchange, I use my personal email.

                      – Evorlor
                      2 days ago












                    • 23





                      @Fattie I've never heard of this. What sort of sites are you talking about?

                      – Clonkex
                      Apr 9 at 0:54






                    • 2





                      @clonkex for example when renting server time such as AWS it's common to require a phone #

                      – user2813274
                      Apr 9 at 2:04






                    • 2





                      I agree that this is the right answer. However, in some cases like Oracle, I feel like account registration is just a way for them to gather personal information they do not need to have access to so I would use a throwaway e-mail account (search for 10 minutes mail). I do not trust them to follow my wishes regarding marketing e-mails and unsubscribe-ability.

                      – Thibault D.
                      2 days ago







                    • 4





                      @TomášZato Even assuming you use SO only for things your employer requires you to, which seems unlikely, SO is providing a service to you. When you download software for business use from Oracle, they are licensing it in the context of that business. You can use SO from home, but you can't use software you got a business license for (or whatever) at home. Treat it like calling up a business partner and saying "Hi, this is Matt from <company>" versus "Hi, I'm a random interested person" -- which is more appropriate?

                      – Matthew Read
                      2 days ago







                    • 2





                      For StackExchange, I use my personal email.

                      – Evorlor
                      2 days ago







                    23




                    23





                    @Fattie I've never heard of this. What sort of sites are you talking about?

                    – Clonkex
                    Apr 9 at 0:54





                    @Fattie I've never heard of this. What sort of sites are you talking about?

                    – Clonkex
                    Apr 9 at 0:54




                    2




                    2





                    @clonkex for example when renting server time such as AWS it's common to require a phone #

                    – user2813274
                    Apr 9 at 2:04





                    @clonkex for example when renting server time such as AWS it's common to require a phone #

                    – user2813274
                    Apr 9 at 2:04




                    2




                    2





                    I agree that this is the right answer. However, in some cases like Oracle, I feel like account registration is just a way for them to gather personal information they do not need to have access to so I would use a throwaway e-mail account (search for 10 minutes mail). I do not trust them to follow my wishes regarding marketing e-mails and unsubscribe-ability.

                    – Thibault D.
                    2 days ago






                    I agree that this is the right answer. However, in some cases like Oracle, I feel like account registration is just a way for them to gather personal information they do not need to have access to so I would use a throwaway e-mail account (search for 10 minutes mail). I do not trust them to follow my wishes regarding marketing e-mails and unsubscribe-ability.

                    – Thibault D.
                    2 days ago





                    4




                    4





                    @TomášZato Even assuming you use SO only for things your employer requires you to, which seems unlikely, SO is providing a service to you. When you download software for business use from Oracle, they are licensing it in the context of that business. You can use SO from home, but you can't use software you got a business license for (or whatever) at home. Treat it like calling up a business partner and saying "Hi, this is Matt from <company>" versus "Hi, I'm a random interested person" -- which is more appropriate?

                    – Matthew Read
                    2 days ago






                    @TomášZato Even assuming you use SO only for things your employer requires you to, which seems unlikely, SO is providing a service to you. When you download software for business use from Oracle, they are licensing it in the context of that business. You can use SO from home, but you can't use software you got a business license for (or whatever) at home. Treat it like calling up a business partner and saying "Hi, this is Matt from <company>" versus "Hi, I'm a random interested person" -- which is more appropriate?

                    – Matthew Read
                    2 days ago





                    2




                    2





                    For StackExchange, I use my personal email.

                    – Evorlor
                    2 days ago





                    For StackExchange, I use my personal email.

                    – Evorlor
                    2 days ago













                    75














                    As suggested by the others, I would use a work-related mail.



                    However, I would suggest thinking ahead and don't use your personal work mail but one which is tied to your team or is set up especially for using to register at work-related websites. Something like developerteam@compayname.com.



                    This has the advantage that, if you leave the company its easy for someone to pick and use your accounts without the risk of exposing your emails.






                    share|improve this answer




















                    • 5





                      Now that is a good point. plus 1

                      – Solar Mike
                      Apr 8 at 13:49







                    • 55





                      While it is a good point... I would not sign up a group email without permission of your team lead or manager. Especially regarding free stuff which each dev may need a license to to be compliant. Paid stuff (support incidents, etc.) is different - then you wouldn't use your own work account (use group account, manager's account, or team lead account).

                      – J. Chris Compton
                      Apr 8 at 14:10






                    • 3





                      I'd be really, really hesitant to use a team email for that. That means on each communication, your entire team will get bothered. People usually don't take it lightly if fluff appears in their mailbox.

                      – Abigail
                      Apr 8 at 20:26






                    • 18





                      Our recommendation (I work for our org’s IT) is to create a purpose-specific email list (likely with just you as the only member) for each such interaction. Upon your separation, your manager can decide the disposition of your lists (assign to somebody, delete, etc). Use a good description.

                      – John Hascall
                      Apr 8 at 22:42






                    • 1





                      I second @JohnHascall's suggestion, that's what we do with accounts for all our service providers (web hosting, ISPs, ad networks, payment processors). Most of them redirect to our general operations alias, but we can customize them as needed, and people can write mail filters for them.

                      – Barmar
                      Apr 8 at 23:43















                    75














                    As suggested by the others, I would use a work-related mail.



                    However, I would suggest thinking ahead and don't use your personal work mail but one which is tied to your team or is set up especially for using to register at work-related websites. Something like developerteam@compayname.com.



                    This has the advantage that, if you leave the company its easy for someone to pick and use your accounts without the risk of exposing your emails.






                    share|improve this answer




















                    • 5





                      Now that is a good point. plus 1

                      – Solar Mike
                      Apr 8 at 13:49







                    • 55





                      While it is a good point... I would not sign up a group email without permission of your team lead or manager. Especially regarding free stuff which each dev may need a license to to be compliant. Paid stuff (support incidents, etc.) is different - then you wouldn't use your own work account (use group account, manager's account, or team lead account).

                      – J. Chris Compton
                      Apr 8 at 14:10






                    • 3





                      I'd be really, really hesitant to use a team email for that. That means on each communication, your entire team will get bothered. People usually don't take it lightly if fluff appears in their mailbox.

                      – Abigail
                      Apr 8 at 20:26






                    • 18





                      Our recommendation (I work for our org’s IT) is to create a purpose-specific email list (likely with just you as the only member) for each such interaction. Upon your separation, your manager can decide the disposition of your lists (assign to somebody, delete, etc). Use a good description.

                      – John Hascall
                      Apr 8 at 22:42






                    • 1





                      I second @JohnHascall's suggestion, that's what we do with accounts for all our service providers (web hosting, ISPs, ad networks, payment processors). Most of them redirect to our general operations alias, but we can customize them as needed, and people can write mail filters for them.

                      – Barmar
                      Apr 8 at 23:43













                    75












                    75








                    75







                    As suggested by the others, I would use a work-related mail.



                    However, I would suggest thinking ahead and don't use your personal work mail but one which is tied to your team or is set up especially for using to register at work-related websites. Something like developerteam@compayname.com.



                    This has the advantage that, if you leave the company its easy for someone to pick and use your accounts without the risk of exposing your emails.






                    share|improve this answer















                    As suggested by the others, I would use a work-related mail.



                    However, I would suggest thinking ahead and don't use your personal work mail but one which is tied to your team or is set up especially for using to register at work-related websites. Something like developerteam@compayname.com.



                    This has the advantage that, if you leave the company its easy for someone to pick and use your accounts without the risk of exposing your emails.







                    share|improve this answer














                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer








                    edited Apr 8 at 13:48

























                    answered Apr 8 at 13:42









                    LaughULaughU

                    1,264814




                    1,264814







                    • 5





                      Now that is a good point. plus 1

                      – Solar Mike
                      Apr 8 at 13:49







                    • 55





                      While it is a good point... I would not sign up a group email without permission of your team lead or manager. Especially regarding free stuff which each dev may need a license to to be compliant. Paid stuff (support incidents, etc.) is different - then you wouldn't use your own work account (use group account, manager's account, or team lead account).

                      – J. Chris Compton
                      Apr 8 at 14:10






                    • 3





                      I'd be really, really hesitant to use a team email for that. That means on each communication, your entire team will get bothered. People usually don't take it lightly if fluff appears in their mailbox.

                      – Abigail
                      Apr 8 at 20:26






                    • 18





                      Our recommendation (I work for our org’s IT) is to create a purpose-specific email list (likely with just you as the only member) for each such interaction. Upon your separation, your manager can decide the disposition of your lists (assign to somebody, delete, etc). Use a good description.

                      – John Hascall
                      Apr 8 at 22:42






                    • 1





                      I second @JohnHascall's suggestion, that's what we do with accounts for all our service providers (web hosting, ISPs, ad networks, payment processors). Most of them redirect to our general operations alias, but we can customize them as needed, and people can write mail filters for them.

                      – Barmar
                      Apr 8 at 23:43












                    • 5





                      Now that is a good point. plus 1

                      – Solar Mike
                      Apr 8 at 13:49







                    • 55





                      While it is a good point... I would not sign up a group email without permission of your team lead or manager. Especially regarding free stuff which each dev may need a license to to be compliant. Paid stuff (support incidents, etc.) is different - then you wouldn't use your own work account (use group account, manager's account, or team lead account).

                      – J. Chris Compton
                      Apr 8 at 14:10






                    • 3





                      I'd be really, really hesitant to use a team email for that. That means on each communication, your entire team will get bothered. People usually don't take it lightly if fluff appears in their mailbox.

                      – Abigail
                      Apr 8 at 20:26






                    • 18





                      Our recommendation (I work for our org’s IT) is to create a purpose-specific email list (likely with just you as the only member) for each such interaction. Upon your separation, your manager can decide the disposition of your lists (assign to somebody, delete, etc). Use a good description.

                      – John Hascall
                      Apr 8 at 22:42






                    • 1





                      I second @JohnHascall's suggestion, that's what we do with accounts for all our service providers (web hosting, ISPs, ad networks, payment processors). Most of them redirect to our general operations alias, but we can customize them as needed, and people can write mail filters for them.

                      – Barmar
                      Apr 8 at 23:43







                    5




                    5





                    Now that is a good point. plus 1

                    – Solar Mike
                    Apr 8 at 13:49






                    Now that is a good point. plus 1

                    – Solar Mike
                    Apr 8 at 13:49





                    55




                    55





                    While it is a good point... I would not sign up a group email without permission of your team lead or manager. Especially regarding free stuff which each dev may need a license to to be compliant. Paid stuff (support incidents, etc.) is different - then you wouldn't use your own work account (use group account, manager's account, or team lead account).

                    – J. Chris Compton
                    Apr 8 at 14:10





                    While it is a good point... I would not sign up a group email without permission of your team lead or manager. Especially regarding free stuff which each dev may need a license to to be compliant. Paid stuff (support incidents, etc.) is different - then you wouldn't use your own work account (use group account, manager's account, or team lead account).

                    – J. Chris Compton
                    Apr 8 at 14:10




                    3




                    3





                    I'd be really, really hesitant to use a team email for that. That means on each communication, your entire team will get bothered. People usually don't take it lightly if fluff appears in their mailbox.

                    – Abigail
                    Apr 8 at 20:26





                    I'd be really, really hesitant to use a team email for that. That means on each communication, your entire team will get bothered. People usually don't take it lightly if fluff appears in their mailbox.

                    – Abigail
                    Apr 8 at 20:26




                    18




                    18





                    Our recommendation (I work for our org’s IT) is to create a purpose-specific email list (likely with just you as the only member) for each such interaction. Upon your separation, your manager can decide the disposition of your lists (assign to somebody, delete, etc). Use a good description.

                    – John Hascall
                    Apr 8 at 22:42





                    Our recommendation (I work for our org’s IT) is to create a purpose-specific email list (likely with just you as the only member) for each such interaction. Upon your separation, your manager can decide the disposition of your lists (assign to somebody, delete, etc). Use a good description.

                    – John Hascall
                    Apr 8 at 22:42




                    1




                    1





                    I second @JohnHascall's suggestion, that's what we do with accounts for all our service providers (web hosting, ISPs, ad networks, payment processors). Most of them redirect to our general operations alias, but we can customize them as needed, and people can write mail filters for them.

                    – Barmar
                    Apr 8 at 23:43





                    I second @JohnHascall's suggestion, that's what we do with accounts for all our service providers (web hosting, ISPs, ad networks, payment processors). Most of them redirect to our general operations alias, but we can customize them as needed, and people can write mail filters for them.

                    – Barmar
                    Apr 8 at 23:43











                    61














                    It all depends.



                    For something like StackOverflow I use my personal account as that is something that follows me from job to job.



                    If I'm registering something particular to my current position I used my work email.






                    share|improve this answer



























                      61














                      It all depends.



                      For something like StackOverflow I use my personal account as that is something that follows me from job to job.



                      If I'm registering something particular to my current position I used my work email.






                      share|improve this answer

























                        61












                        61








                        61







                        It all depends.



                        For something like StackOverflow I use my personal account as that is something that follows me from job to job.



                        If I'm registering something particular to my current position I used my work email.






                        share|improve this answer













                        It all depends.



                        For something like StackOverflow I use my personal account as that is something that follows me from job to job.



                        If I'm registering something particular to my current position I used my work email.







                        share|improve this answer












                        share|improve this answer



                        share|improve this answer










                        answered Apr 8 at 19:49









                        JimmyBJimmyB

                        5,20911028




                        5,20911028





















                            17














                            As a general rule, don't co-mingle work and personal accounts



                            Use work accounts for work and setup separate personal accounts for personal use. Many many things can go wrong if you use personal accounts for work:




                            1. It can lead to "whose account is it?" disputes: you own the account but the company relies on it and it may contain company data; whose is it now? Everyone's and no-one's. If you leave the company it's possible that the company (their lawyers) may demand that you provide them access to your account (I've read about this more than once on Stack Exchange). Are you okay with that? It's best to avoid this awkward and potentially legally complicated situation if you can.


                            2. It can lead to data spills: are you prepared to lose years worth of personal emails because a service unexpectedly leaked proprietary company data to your personal email account (e.g. an automated Jira email contains a comment with legally-protected proprietary information)? What if a spill violates privacy or other laws (note: if you in any way work in healthcare or with the government or a government contractor this is especially important).


                            3. It can lead to complicated hand-offs: are you going to give your personal password to the company when you leave the project or company? Probably not, so they will have some work to do if/when you leave, and in the meantime it will cause unnecessary hard feelings.


                            4. It can put the company at risk if your account is hacked: suppose your personal account is hacked and used to try to exfiltrate company data (more common than you think), insert malware on the company network, or otherwise gain unauthorized access. Now it's "your fault" because it's your personal account. Not a fun situation to be in, and on top of it you may find yourself with a leak of confidential data into your personal account that has to be cleaned up (and possibly by your company, meaning turning over your credentials). There could be legal repercussions for the company and for yourself if the spill violates any laws.

                            In summary, just don't do it.






                            share|improve this answer





























                              17














                              As a general rule, don't co-mingle work and personal accounts



                              Use work accounts for work and setup separate personal accounts for personal use. Many many things can go wrong if you use personal accounts for work:




                              1. It can lead to "whose account is it?" disputes: you own the account but the company relies on it and it may contain company data; whose is it now? Everyone's and no-one's. If you leave the company it's possible that the company (their lawyers) may demand that you provide them access to your account (I've read about this more than once on Stack Exchange). Are you okay with that? It's best to avoid this awkward and potentially legally complicated situation if you can.


                              2. It can lead to data spills: are you prepared to lose years worth of personal emails because a service unexpectedly leaked proprietary company data to your personal email account (e.g. an automated Jira email contains a comment with legally-protected proprietary information)? What if a spill violates privacy or other laws (note: if you in any way work in healthcare or with the government or a government contractor this is especially important).


                              3. It can lead to complicated hand-offs: are you going to give your personal password to the company when you leave the project or company? Probably not, so they will have some work to do if/when you leave, and in the meantime it will cause unnecessary hard feelings.


                              4. It can put the company at risk if your account is hacked: suppose your personal account is hacked and used to try to exfiltrate company data (more common than you think), insert malware on the company network, or otherwise gain unauthorized access. Now it's "your fault" because it's your personal account. Not a fun situation to be in, and on top of it you may find yourself with a leak of confidential data into your personal account that has to be cleaned up (and possibly by your company, meaning turning over your credentials). There could be legal repercussions for the company and for yourself if the spill violates any laws.

                              In summary, just don't do it.






                              share|improve this answer



























                                17












                                17








                                17







                                As a general rule, don't co-mingle work and personal accounts



                                Use work accounts for work and setup separate personal accounts for personal use. Many many things can go wrong if you use personal accounts for work:




                                1. It can lead to "whose account is it?" disputes: you own the account but the company relies on it and it may contain company data; whose is it now? Everyone's and no-one's. If you leave the company it's possible that the company (their lawyers) may demand that you provide them access to your account (I've read about this more than once on Stack Exchange). Are you okay with that? It's best to avoid this awkward and potentially legally complicated situation if you can.


                                2. It can lead to data spills: are you prepared to lose years worth of personal emails because a service unexpectedly leaked proprietary company data to your personal email account (e.g. an automated Jira email contains a comment with legally-protected proprietary information)? What if a spill violates privacy or other laws (note: if you in any way work in healthcare or with the government or a government contractor this is especially important).


                                3. It can lead to complicated hand-offs: are you going to give your personal password to the company when you leave the project or company? Probably not, so they will have some work to do if/when you leave, and in the meantime it will cause unnecessary hard feelings.


                                4. It can put the company at risk if your account is hacked: suppose your personal account is hacked and used to try to exfiltrate company data (more common than you think), insert malware on the company network, or otherwise gain unauthorized access. Now it's "your fault" because it's your personal account. Not a fun situation to be in, and on top of it you may find yourself with a leak of confidential data into your personal account that has to be cleaned up (and possibly by your company, meaning turning over your credentials). There could be legal repercussions for the company and for yourself if the spill violates any laws.

                                In summary, just don't do it.






                                share|improve this answer















                                As a general rule, don't co-mingle work and personal accounts



                                Use work accounts for work and setup separate personal accounts for personal use. Many many things can go wrong if you use personal accounts for work:




                                1. It can lead to "whose account is it?" disputes: you own the account but the company relies on it and it may contain company data; whose is it now? Everyone's and no-one's. If you leave the company it's possible that the company (their lawyers) may demand that you provide them access to your account (I've read about this more than once on Stack Exchange). Are you okay with that? It's best to avoid this awkward and potentially legally complicated situation if you can.


                                2. It can lead to data spills: are you prepared to lose years worth of personal emails because a service unexpectedly leaked proprietary company data to your personal email account (e.g. an automated Jira email contains a comment with legally-protected proprietary information)? What if a spill violates privacy or other laws (note: if you in any way work in healthcare or with the government or a government contractor this is especially important).


                                3. It can lead to complicated hand-offs: are you going to give your personal password to the company when you leave the project or company? Probably not, so they will have some work to do if/when you leave, and in the meantime it will cause unnecessary hard feelings.


                                4. It can put the company at risk if your account is hacked: suppose your personal account is hacked and used to try to exfiltrate company data (more common than you think), insert malware on the company network, or otherwise gain unauthorized access. Now it's "your fault" because it's your personal account. Not a fun situation to be in, and on top of it you may find yourself with a leak of confidential data into your personal account that has to be cleaned up (and possibly by your company, meaning turning over your credentials). There could be legal repercussions for the company and for yourself if the spill violates any laws.

                                In summary, just don't do it.







                                share|improve this answer














                                share|improve this answer



                                share|improve this answer








                                edited Apr 8 at 18:23

























                                answered Apr 8 at 18:18









                                bobbob

                                2,7601620




                                2,7601620





















                                    13














                                    The sharp line is whether company assets and data will be involved



                                    ... And company assets and data should not be involved if the company hasn't authorized use of the site for those assets or data.



                                    Another way to think of this is, "when you leave, will the signup/login be part of the hand-off?" Or should your replacement really be getting their own account?



                                    As an example, StackExchange. If you are using the site for your professional edification, then the edification is for you the person since the lessons will remain in your brain.



                                    If you are only viewing or downloading assets that are free but behind a signup-wall, then signups are disposable and it's a tossup either way. Consider the nature of the account and its customizations, and revisit the question of whether, if you were replacing another person in a role, you would expect the account to be handed off to you.



                                    Other than any of that, I would tend to let accounts be personal.



                                    Don't let the web site decide. For instance if you set up a PayPal account for your company to accept Visa-MC, PayPal will keenly ask a bunch of questions about YOU, and will even demand your personal SSN. That does not make it your account obviously. (It may make it a bad choice of vendor, but PayPal does this because of Know-Your-Customer laws).






                                    share|improve this answer



























                                      13














                                      The sharp line is whether company assets and data will be involved



                                      ... And company assets and data should not be involved if the company hasn't authorized use of the site for those assets or data.



                                      Another way to think of this is, "when you leave, will the signup/login be part of the hand-off?" Or should your replacement really be getting their own account?



                                      As an example, StackExchange. If you are using the site for your professional edification, then the edification is for you the person since the lessons will remain in your brain.



                                      If you are only viewing or downloading assets that are free but behind a signup-wall, then signups are disposable and it's a tossup either way. Consider the nature of the account and its customizations, and revisit the question of whether, if you were replacing another person in a role, you would expect the account to be handed off to you.



                                      Other than any of that, I would tend to let accounts be personal.



                                      Don't let the web site decide. For instance if you set up a PayPal account for your company to accept Visa-MC, PayPal will keenly ask a bunch of questions about YOU, and will even demand your personal SSN. That does not make it your account obviously. (It may make it a bad choice of vendor, but PayPal does this because of Know-Your-Customer laws).






                                      share|improve this answer

























                                        13












                                        13








                                        13







                                        The sharp line is whether company assets and data will be involved



                                        ... And company assets and data should not be involved if the company hasn't authorized use of the site for those assets or data.



                                        Another way to think of this is, "when you leave, will the signup/login be part of the hand-off?" Or should your replacement really be getting their own account?



                                        As an example, StackExchange. If you are using the site for your professional edification, then the edification is for you the person since the lessons will remain in your brain.



                                        If you are only viewing or downloading assets that are free but behind a signup-wall, then signups are disposable and it's a tossup either way. Consider the nature of the account and its customizations, and revisit the question of whether, if you were replacing another person in a role, you would expect the account to be handed off to you.



                                        Other than any of that, I would tend to let accounts be personal.



                                        Don't let the web site decide. For instance if you set up a PayPal account for your company to accept Visa-MC, PayPal will keenly ask a bunch of questions about YOU, and will even demand your personal SSN. That does not make it your account obviously. (It may make it a bad choice of vendor, but PayPal does this because of Know-Your-Customer laws).






                                        share|improve this answer













                                        The sharp line is whether company assets and data will be involved



                                        ... And company assets and data should not be involved if the company hasn't authorized use of the site for those assets or data.



                                        Another way to think of this is, "when you leave, will the signup/login be part of the hand-off?" Or should your replacement really be getting their own account?



                                        As an example, StackExchange. If you are using the site for your professional edification, then the edification is for you the person since the lessons will remain in your brain.



                                        If you are only viewing or downloading assets that are free but behind a signup-wall, then signups are disposable and it's a tossup either way. Consider the nature of the account and its customizations, and revisit the question of whether, if you were replacing another person in a role, you would expect the account to be handed off to you.



                                        Other than any of that, I would tend to let accounts be personal.



                                        Don't let the web site decide. For instance if you set up a PayPal account for your company to accept Visa-MC, PayPal will keenly ask a bunch of questions about YOU, and will even demand your personal SSN. That does not make it your account obviously. (It may make it a bad choice of vendor, but PayPal does this because of Know-Your-Customer laws).







                                        share|improve this answer












                                        share|improve this answer



                                        share|improve this answer










                                        answered Apr 8 at 20:49









                                        HarperHarper

                                        5,53011026




                                        5,53011026





















                                            6














                                            If its work related, use your work email address.



                                            As stated, you have work tasks that require you to access information on these websites. I cant imagine a company viewing this as personal.






                                            share|improve this answer



























                                              6














                                              If its work related, use your work email address.



                                              As stated, you have work tasks that require you to access information on these websites. I cant imagine a company viewing this as personal.






                                              share|improve this answer

























                                                6












                                                6








                                                6







                                                If its work related, use your work email address.



                                                As stated, you have work tasks that require you to access information on these websites. I cant imagine a company viewing this as personal.






                                                share|improve this answer













                                                If its work related, use your work email address.



                                                As stated, you have work tasks that require you to access information on these websites. I cant imagine a company viewing this as personal.







                                                share|improve this answer












                                                share|improve this answer



                                                share|improve this answer










                                                answered Apr 8 at 13:21









                                                jessejesse

                                                1,03039




                                                1,03039





















                                                    6














                                                    I've faced this issue before and in my opinion it would be ok (or even best) to use your personal email for this.



                                                    Multiple reasons for this:



                                                    • You might need these tools, info, ... for personal use or for other
                                                      projects where you might not have access to you work email.

                                                    • You avoid any spam reaching your professional email.

                                                    • You prevent the companies offering these tools from gathering data
                                                      on/about your company, which may push them to reach out to it etc.

                                                    • As there is no requirement from your company to use these, there
                                                      is also none for you to connect your professional mail to them.

                                                    Of course if you're not allowed to access any personal email or such then the above would not really matter






                                                    share|improve this answer








                                                    New contributor




                                                    Blub is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                    Check out our Code of Conduct.















                                                    • 6





                                                      I would not use my personal email for work related activity. And as for spam, that is for the IT of the employer to sort out... As long as you are registering for relevant sites you will be ok.

                                                      – Solar Mike
                                                      Apr 8 at 13:48






                                                    • 1





                                                      I'm going to upvote this answer because these were my concerns when I wrote the answer and they make sense, maybe this is a matter of culture in the company.

                                                      – Eric Sant'Anna
                                                      Apr 8 at 14:48






                                                    • 6





                                                      I'd suggest that If you want to use the tools for personal use, then create a different personal account, at home, on your own computer - and keep separate from any work related activities.

                                                      – Laconic Droid
                                                      Apr 8 at 17:25






                                                    • 4





                                                      There are reasons not to do so: it can lead to awkward "who owns" it questions that go away if you use work accounts, you could wind up having confidential work data leaked to your personal email which can be a no-no, it's hard to do a clean hand-off if you need to leave, and if your personal account gets compromised it can put your work network at risk which doesn't look good because it can be considered to be "your fault". If you're worried about being able to use those services outside of work, create two accounts.

                                                      – bob
                                                      Apr 8 at 18:03






                                                    • 2





                                                      Upvoted because not everywhere is the same. Academia (where I work) is an extreme example of a blurring between personal and professional business (and personal email is never blocked in universities). Also in fields where people tend to move jobs fairly frequently maintaining a consistent web presence (or just keeping access to old materials) can mean having to use a personal address in some cases - but make that a fairly professional personal address. And exercise good judgement - don't make your personal email a corporate point of failure.

                                                      – Chris H
                                                      Apr 8 at 19:51















                                                    6














                                                    I've faced this issue before and in my opinion it would be ok (or even best) to use your personal email for this.



                                                    Multiple reasons for this:



                                                    • You might need these tools, info, ... for personal use or for other
                                                      projects where you might not have access to you work email.

                                                    • You avoid any spam reaching your professional email.

                                                    • You prevent the companies offering these tools from gathering data
                                                      on/about your company, which may push them to reach out to it etc.

                                                    • As there is no requirement from your company to use these, there
                                                      is also none for you to connect your professional mail to them.

                                                    Of course if you're not allowed to access any personal email or such then the above would not really matter






                                                    share|improve this answer








                                                    New contributor




                                                    Blub is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                    Check out our Code of Conduct.















                                                    • 6





                                                      I would not use my personal email for work related activity. And as for spam, that is for the IT of the employer to sort out... As long as you are registering for relevant sites you will be ok.

                                                      – Solar Mike
                                                      Apr 8 at 13:48






                                                    • 1





                                                      I'm going to upvote this answer because these were my concerns when I wrote the answer and they make sense, maybe this is a matter of culture in the company.

                                                      – Eric Sant'Anna
                                                      Apr 8 at 14:48






                                                    • 6





                                                      I'd suggest that If you want to use the tools for personal use, then create a different personal account, at home, on your own computer - and keep separate from any work related activities.

                                                      – Laconic Droid
                                                      Apr 8 at 17:25






                                                    • 4





                                                      There are reasons not to do so: it can lead to awkward "who owns" it questions that go away if you use work accounts, you could wind up having confidential work data leaked to your personal email which can be a no-no, it's hard to do a clean hand-off if you need to leave, and if your personal account gets compromised it can put your work network at risk which doesn't look good because it can be considered to be "your fault". If you're worried about being able to use those services outside of work, create two accounts.

                                                      – bob
                                                      Apr 8 at 18:03






                                                    • 2





                                                      Upvoted because not everywhere is the same. Academia (where I work) is an extreme example of a blurring between personal and professional business (and personal email is never blocked in universities). Also in fields where people tend to move jobs fairly frequently maintaining a consistent web presence (or just keeping access to old materials) can mean having to use a personal address in some cases - but make that a fairly professional personal address. And exercise good judgement - don't make your personal email a corporate point of failure.

                                                      – Chris H
                                                      Apr 8 at 19:51













                                                    6












                                                    6








                                                    6







                                                    I've faced this issue before and in my opinion it would be ok (or even best) to use your personal email for this.



                                                    Multiple reasons for this:



                                                    • You might need these tools, info, ... for personal use or for other
                                                      projects where you might not have access to you work email.

                                                    • You avoid any spam reaching your professional email.

                                                    • You prevent the companies offering these tools from gathering data
                                                      on/about your company, which may push them to reach out to it etc.

                                                    • As there is no requirement from your company to use these, there
                                                      is also none for you to connect your professional mail to them.

                                                    Of course if you're not allowed to access any personal email or such then the above would not really matter






                                                    share|improve this answer








                                                    New contributor




                                                    Blub is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                    Check out our Code of Conduct.










                                                    I've faced this issue before and in my opinion it would be ok (or even best) to use your personal email for this.



                                                    Multiple reasons for this:



                                                    • You might need these tools, info, ... for personal use or for other
                                                      projects where you might not have access to you work email.

                                                    • You avoid any spam reaching your professional email.

                                                    • You prevent the companies offering these tools from gathering data
                                                      on/about your company, which may push them to reach out to it etc.

                                                    • As there is no requirement from your company to use these, there
                                                      is also none for you to connect your professional mail to them.

                                                    Of course if you're not allowed to access any personal email or such then the above would not really matter







                                                    share|improve this answer








                                                    New contributor




                                                    Blub is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                    Check out our Code of Conduct.









                                                    share|improve this answer



                                                    share|improve this answer






                                                    New contributor




                                                    Blub is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                    Check out our Code of Conduct.









                                                    answered Apr 8 at 13:24









                                                    BlubBlub

                                                    1033




                                                    1033




                                                    New contributor




                                                    Blub is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                    Check out our Code of Conduct.





                                                    New contributor





                                                    Blub is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                    Check out our Code of Conduct.






                                                    Blub is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                    Check out our Code of Conduct.







                                                    • 6





                                                      I would not use my personal email for work related activity. And as for spam, that is for the IT of the employer to sort out... As long as you are registering for relevant sites you will be ok.

                                                      – Solar Mike
                                                      Apr 8 at 13:48






                                                    • 1





                                                      I'm going to upvote this answer because these were my concerns when I wrote the answer and they make sense, maybe this is a matter of culture in the company.

                                                      – Eric Sant'Anna
                                                      Apr 8 at 14:48






                                                    • 6





                                                      I'd suggest that If you want to use the tools for personal use, then create a different personal account, at home, on your own computer - and keep separate from any work related activities.

                                                      – Laconic Droid
                                                      Apr 8 at 17:25






                                                    • 4





                                                      There are reasons not to do so: it can lead to awkward "who owns" it questions that go away if you use work accounts, you could wind up having confidential work data leaked to your personal email which can be a no-no, it's hard to do a clean hand-off if you need to leave, and if your personal account gets compromised it can put your work network at risk which doesn't look good because it can be considered to be "your fault". If you're worried about being able to use those services outside of work, create two accounts.

                                                      – bob
                                                      Apr 8 at 18:03






                                                    • 2





                                                      Upvoted because not everywhere is the same. Academia (where I work) is an extreme example of a blurring between personal and professional business (and personal email is never blocked in universities). Also in fields where people tend to move jobs fairly frequently maintaining a consistent web presence (or just keeping access to old materials) can mean having to use a personal address in some cases - but make that a fairly professional personal address. And exercise good judgement - don't make your personal email a corporate point of failure.

                                                      – Chris H
                                                      Apr 8 at 19:51












                                                    • 6





                                                      I would not use my personal email for work related activity. And as for spam, that is for the IT of the employer to sort out... As long as you are registering for relevant sites you will be ok.

                                                      – Solar Mike
                                                      Apr 8 at 13:48






                                                    • 1





                                                      I'm going to upvote this answer because these were my concerns when I wrote the answer and they make sense, maybe this is a matter of culture in the company.

                                                      – Eric Sant'Anna
                                                      Apr 8 at 14:48






                                                    • 6





                                                      I'd suggest that If you want to use the tools for personal use, then create a different personal account, at home, on your own computer - and keep separate from any work related activities.

                                                      – Laconic Droid
                                                      Apr 8 at 17:25






                                                    • 4





                                                      There are reasons not to do so: it can lead to awkward "who owns" it questions that go away if you use work accounts, you could wind up having confidential work data leaked to your personal email which can be a no-no, it's hard to do a clean hand-off if you need to leave, and if your personal account gets compromised it can put your work network at risk which doesn't look good because it can be considered to be "your fault". If you're worried about being able to use those services outside of work, create two accounts.

                                                      – bob
                                                      Apr 8 at 18:03






                                                    • 2





                                                      Upvoted because not everywhere is the same. Academia (where I work) is an extreme example of a blurring between personal and professional business (and personal email is never blocked in universities). Also in fields where people tend to move jobs fairly frequently maintaining a consistent web presence (or just keeping access to old materials) can mean having to use a personal address in some cases - but make that a fairly professional personal address. And exercise good judgement - don't make your personal email a corporate point of failure.

                                                      – Chris H
                                                      Apr 8 at 19:51







                                                    6




                                                    6





                                                    I would not use my personal email for work related activity. And as for spam, that is for the IT of the employer to sort out... As long as you are registering for relevant sites you will be ok.

                                                    – Solar Mike
                                                    Apr 8 at 13:48





                                                    I would not use my personal email for work related activity. And as for spam, that is for the IT of the employer to sort out... As long as you are registering for relevant sites you will be ok.

                                                    – Solar Mike
                                                    Apr 8 at 13:48




                                                    1




                                                    1





                                                    I'm going to upvote this answer because these were my concerns when I wrote the answer and they make sense, maybe this is a matter of culture in the company.

                                                    – Eric Sant'Anna
                                                    Apr 8 at 14:48





                                                    I'm going to upvote this answer because these were my concerns when I wrote the answer and they make sense, maybe this is a matter of culture in the company.

                                                    – Eric Sant'Anna
                                                    Apr 8 at 14:48




                                                    6




                                                    6





                                                    I'd suggest that If you want to use the tools for personal use, then create a different personal account, at home, on your own computer - and keep separate from any work related activities.

                                                    – Laconic Droid
                                                    Apr 8 at 17:25





                                                    I'd suggest that If you want to use the tools for personal use, then create a different personal account, at home, on your own computer - and keep separate from any work related activities.

                                                    – Laconic Droid
                                                    Apr 8 at 17:25




                                                    4




                                                    4





                                                    There are reasons not to do so: it can lead to awkward "who owns" it questions that go away if you use work accounts, you could wind up having confidential work data leaked to your personal email which can be a no-no, it's hard to do a clean hand-off if you need to leave, and if your personal account gets compromised it can put your work network at risk which doesn't look good because it can be considered to be "your fault". If you're worried about being able to use those services outside of work, create two accounts.

                                                    – bob
                                                    Apr 8 at 18:03





                                                    There are reasons not to do so: it can lead to awkward "who owns" it questions that go away if you use work accounts, you could wind up having confidential work data leaked to your personal email which can be a no-no, it's hard to do a clean hand-off if you need to leave, and if your personal account gets compromised it can put your work network at risk which doesn't look good because it can be considered to be "your fault". If you're worried about being able to use those services outside of work, create two accounts.

                                                    – bob
                                                    Apr 8 at 18:03




                                                    2




                                                    2





                                                    Upvoted because not everywhere is the same. Academia (where I work) is an extreme example of a blurring between personal and professional business (and personal email is never blocked in universities). Also in fields where people tend to move jobs fairly frequently maintaining a consistent web presence (or just keeping access to old materials) can mean having to use a personal address in some cases - but make that a fairly professional personal address. And exercise good judgement - don't make your personal email a corporate point of failure.

                                                    – Chris H
                                                    Apr 8 at 19:51





                                                    Upvoted because not everywhere is the same. Academia (where I work) is an extreme example of a blurring between personal and professional business (and personal email is never blocked in universities). Also in fields where people tend to move jobs fairly frequently maintaining a consistent web presence (or just keeping access to old materials) can mean having to use a personal address in some cases - but make that a fairly professional personal address. And exercise good judgement - don't make your personal email a corporate point of failure.

                                                    – Chris H
                                                    Apr 8 at 19:51











                                                    5














                                                    I have a dedicated GMail-address for this name-work@gmail.com. I don't use this address for any personal stuff, just work related accounts, mailing lists and similar - that is, if my employer seizes my computer and gets access to this account they won't find anything interesting.



                                                    However, this solution it is pretty useful because on your next work you might need an account at Oracle again and if you have used your @work-address the first time you signed up you probably need to re-register a new account.






                                                    share|improve this answer

























                                                    • This would violate many (most?) employment contracts.

                                                      – Lightness Races in Orbit
                                                      yesterday











                                                    • Not any contract I haveever signed up to. Why would it?

                                                      – d-b
                                                      yesterday











                                                    • Because you're supposed to use company technology for company work? If I start sending emails with the company name in purporting to be about company business, and they don't go through the corporate IT infrastructure, I've gone off-piste. The emails can't be monitored/stored/archived/virus-checked/whatever it is that IT does. Usually you are not permitted to do that. It's also interesting that you say "if my employer seizes my computer and gets access to this account they won't find anything interesting" - the employer's supposed to have access to your work accounts already.

                                                      – Lightness Races in Orbit
                                                      19 hours ago












                                                    • But there is a big grayzone between company and private. If I work as a Java developer I need to stay current with the development of Java which is a private need that is also advantageous for my work. If I ask a Java question on a mailing list that answer might come in handy three years from now when I have changed my work. Besides I didn't suggest you put in your company name in this e-mail address, I suggested you used your name -work or something like that (johndoe-work@gmail.com) which give some relevant information to the recipient of a message too.

                                                      – d-b
                                                      17 hours ago











                                                    • Besides, I think most people would frown upon an employer that seizes your computer and check your private Facebook account that you happened to be logged in to, even if the employer formally might have the right to do that (or takes your company phone and check your private SMS to your partner). In an extreme situation that might happen but normally that is completely unacceptable.

                                                      – d-b
                                                      17 hours ago















                                                    5














                                                    I have a dedicated GMail-address for this name-work@gmail.com. I don't use this address for any personal stuff, just work related accounts, mailing lists and similar - that is, if my employer seizes my computer and gets access to this account they won't find anything interesting.



                                                    However, this solution it is pretty useful because on your next work you might need an account at Oracle again and if you have used your @work-address the first time you signed up you probably need to re-register a new account.






                                                    share|improve this answer

























                                                    • This would violate many (most?) employment contracts.

                                                      – Lightness Races in Orbit
                                                      yesterday











                                                    • Not any contract I haveever signed up to. Why would it?

                                                      – d-b
                                                      yesterday











                                                    • Because you're supposed to use company technology for company work? If I start sending emails with the company name in purporting to be about company business, and they don't go through the corporate IT infrastructure, I've gone off-piste. The emails can't be monitored/stored/archived/virus-checked/whatever it is that IT does. Usually you are not permitted to do that. It's also interesting that you say "if my employer seizes my computer and gets access to this account they won't find anything interesting" - the employer's supposed to have access to your work accounts already.

                                                      – Lightness Races in Orbit
                                                      19 hours ago












                                                    • But there is a big grayzone between company and private. If I work as a Java developer I need to stay current with the development of Java which is a private need that is also advantageous for my work. If I ask a Java question on a mailing list that answer might come in handy three years from now when I have changed my work. Besides I didn't suggest you put in your company name in this e-mail address, I suggested you used your name -work or something like that (johndoe-work@gmail.com) which give some relevant information to the recipient of a message too.

                                                      – d-b
                                                      17 hours ago











                                                    • Besides, I think most people would frown upon an employer that seizes your computer and check your private Facebook account that you happened to be logged in to, even if the employer formally might have the right to do that (or takes your company phone and check your private SMS to your partner). In an extreme situation that might happen but normally that is completely unacceptable.

                                                      – d-b
                                                      17 hours ago













                                                    5












                                                    5








                                                    5







                                                    I have a dedicated GMail-address for this name-work@gmail.com. I don't use this address for any personal stuff, just work related accounts, mailing lists and similar - that is, if my employer seizes my computer and gets access to this account they won't find anything interesting.



                                                    However, this solution it is pretty useful because on your next work you might need an account at Oracle again and if you have used your @work-address the first time you signed up you probably need to re-register a new account.






                                                    share|improve this answer















                                                    I have a dedicated GMail-address for this name-work@gmail.com. I don't use this address for any personal stuff, just work related accounts, mailing lists and similar - that is, if my employer seizes my computer and gets access to this account they won't find anything interesting.



                                                    However, this solution it is pretty useful because on your next work you might need an account at Oracle again and if you have used your @work-address the first time you signed up you probably need to re-register a new account.







                                                    share|improve this answer














                                                    share|improve this answer



                                                    share|improve this answer








                                                    edited 2 days ago

























                                                    answered Apr 8 at 20:59









                                                    d-bd-b

                                                    91058




                                                    91058












                                                    • This would violate many (most?) employment contracts.

                                                      – Lightness Races in Orbit
                                                      yesterday











                                                    • Not any contract I haveever signed up to. Why would it?

                                                      – d-b
                                                      yesterday











                                                    • Because you're supposed to use company technology for company work? If I start sending emails with the company name in purporting to be about company business, and they don't go through the corporate IT infrastructure, I've gone off-piste. The emails can't be monitored/stored/archived/virus-checked/whatever it is that IT does. Usually you are not permitted to do that. It's also interesting that you say "if my employer seizes my computer and gets access to this account they won't find anything interesting" - the employer's supposed to have access to your work accounts already.

                                                      – Lightness Races in Orbit
                                                      19 hours ago












                                                    • But there is a big grayzone between company and private. If I work as a Java developer I need to stay current with the development of Java which is a private need that is also advantageous for my work. If I ask a Java question on a mailing list that answer might come in handy three years from now when I have changed my work. Besides I didn't suggest you put in your company name in this e-mail address, I suggested you used your name -work or something like that (johndoe-work@gmail.com) which give some relevant information to the recipient of a message too.

                                                      – d-b
                                                      17 hours ago











                                                    • Besides, I think most people would frown upon an employer that seizes your computer and check your private Facebook account that you happened to be logged in to, even if the employer formally might have the right to do that (or takes your company phone and check your private SMS to your partner). In an extreme situation that might happen but normally that is completely unacceptable.

                                                      – d-b
                                                      17 hours ago

















                                                    • This would violate many (most?) employment contracts.

                                                      – Lightness Races in Orbit
                                                      yesterday











                                                    • Not any contract I haveever signed up to. Why would it?

                                                      – d-b
                                                      yesterday











                                                    • Because you're supposed to use company technology for company work? If I start sending emails with the company name in purporting to be about company business, and they don't go through the corporate IT infrastructure, I've gone off-piste. The emails can't be monitored/stored/archived/virus-checked/whatever it is that IT does. Usually you are not permitted to do that. It's also interesting that you say "if my employer seizes my computer and gets access to this account they won't find anything interesting" - the employer's supposed to have access to your work accounts already.

                                                      – Lightness Races in Orbit
                                                      19 hours ago












                                                    • But there is a big grayzone between company and private. If I work as a Java developer I need to stay current with the development of Java which is a private need that is also advantageous for my work. If I ask a Java question on a mailing list that answer might come in handy three years from now when I have changed my work. Besides I didn't suggest you put in your company name in this e-mail address, I suggested you used your name -work or something like that (johndoe-work@gmail.com) which give some relevant information to the recipient of a message too.

                                                      – d-b
                                                      17 hours ago











                                                    • Besides, I think most people would frown upon an employer that seizes your computer and check your private Facebook account that you happened to be logged in to, even if the employer formally might have the right to do that (or takes your company phone and check your private SMS to your partner). In an extreme situation that might happen but normally that is completely unacceptable.

                                                      – d-b
                                                      17 hours ago
















                                                    This would violate many (most?) employment contracts.

                                                    – Lightness Races in Orbit
                                                    yesterday





                                                    This would violate many (most?) employment contracts.

                                                    – Lightness Races in Orbit
                                                    yesterday













                                                    Not any contract I haveever signed up to. Why would it?

                                                    – d-b
                                                    yesterday





                                                    Not any contract I haveever signed up to. Why would it?

                                                    – d-b
                                                    yesterday













                                                    Because you're supposed to use company technology for company work? If I start sending emails with the company name in purporting to be about company business, and they don't go through the corporate IT infrastructure, I've gone off-piste. The emails can't be monitored/stored/archived/virus-checked/whatever it is that IT does. Usually you are not permitted to do that. It's also interesting that you say "if my employer seizes my computer and gets access to this account they won't find anything interesting" - the employer's supposed to have access to your work accounts already.

                                                    – Lightness Races in Orbit
                                                    19 hours ago






                                                    Because you're supposed to use company technology for company work? If I start sending emails with the company name in purporting to be about company business, and they don't go through the corporate IT infrastructure, I've gone off-piste. The emails can't be monitored/stored/archived/virus-checked/whatever it is that IT does. Usually you are not permitted to do that. It's also interesting that you say "if my employer seizes my computer and gets access to this account they won't find anything interesting" - the employer's supposed to have access to your work accounts already.

                                                    – Lightness Races in Orbit
                                                    19 hours ago














                                                    But there is a big grayzone between company and private. If I work as a Java developer I need to stay current with the development of Java which is a private need that is also advantageous for my work. If I ask a Java question on a mailing list that answer might come in handy three years from now when I have changed my work. Besides I didn't suggest you put in your company name in this e-mail address, I suggested you used your name -work or something like that (johndoe-work@gmail.com) which give some relevant information to the recipient of a message too.

                                                    – d-b
                                                    17 hours ago





                                                    But there is a big grayzone between company and private. If I work as a Java developer I need to stay current with the development of Java which is a private need that is also advantageous for my work. If I ask a Java question on a mailing list that answer might come in handy three years from now when I have changed my work. Besides I didn't suggest you put in your company name in this e-mail address, I suggested you used your name -work or something like that (johndoe-work@gmail.com) which give some relevant information to the recipient of a message too.

                                                    – d-b
                                                    17 hours ago













                                                    Besides, I think most people would frown upon an employer that seizes your computer and check your private Facebook account that you happened to be logged in to, even if the employer formally might have the right to do that (or takes your company phone and check your private SMS to your partner). In an extreme situation that might happen but normally that is completely unacceptable.

                                                    – d-b
                                                    17 hours ago





                                                    Besides, I think most people would frown upon an employer that seizes your computer and check your private Facebook account that you happened to be logged in to, even if the employer formally might have the right to do that (or takes your company phone and check your private SMS to your partner). In an extreme situation that might happen but normally that is completely unacceptable.

                                                    – d-b
                                                    17 hours ago











                                                    4














                                                    While all the other answers are clear cut, I can see why you’d hesitate. Take SE itself, for instance, the line between work and personal is blurred. What might start off as "work only" might transition to personal, too and vice versa. Why not use your "personal" rep to start a bounty to get a "work" question answered quickly?



                                                    To account for that, I’d add that many sites have provision to change your registered email address (or merge accounts) should you (e.g.) leave your current company but wish to retain your membership. It’s in their best interests to keep members, too.



                                                    But you should remember to do it while you still have access to both accounts, and remember to delete anything that isn’t explicitly your IP. While I don’t think anyone will come after you for a SE question, github and dockerhub are just about perfect places for unwitting IP leakage. It might be simpler just to start again.






                                                    share|improve this answer



























                                                      4














                                                      While all the other answers are clear cut, I can see why you’d hesitate. Take SE itself, for instance, the line between work and personal is blurred. What might start off as "work only" might transition to personal, too and vice versa. Why not use your "personal" rep to start a bounty to get a "work" question answered quickly?



                                                      To account for that, I’d add that many sites have provision to change your registered email address (or merge accounts) should you (e.g.) leave your current company but wish to retain your membership. It’s in their best interests to keep members, too.



                                                      But you should remember to do it while you still have access to both accounts, and remember to delete anything that isn’t explicitly your IP. While I don’t think anyone will come after you for a SE question, github and dockerhub are just about perfect places for unwitting IP leakage. It might be simpler just to start again.






                                                      share|improve this answer

























                                                        4












                                                        4








                                                        4







                                                        While all the other answers are clear cut, I can see why you’d hesitate. Take SE itself, for instance, the line between work and personal is blurred. What might start off as "work only" might transition to personal, too and vice versa. Why not use your "personal" rep to start a bounty to get a "work" question answered quickly?



                                                        To account for that, I’d add that many sites have provision to change your registered email address (or merge accounts) should you (e.g.) leave your current company but wish to retain your membership. It’s in their best interests to keep members, too.



                                                        But you should remember to do it while you still have access to both accounts, and remember to delete anything that isn’t explicitly your IP. While I don’t think anyone will come after you for a SE question, github and dockerhub are just about perfect places for unwitting IP leakage. It might be simpler just to start again.






                                                        share|improve this answer













                                                        While all the other answers are clear cut, I can see why you’d hesitate. Take SE itself, for instance, the line between work and personal is blurred. What might start off as "work only" might transition to personal, too and vice versa. Why not use your "personal" rep to start a bounty to get a "work" question answered quickly?



                                                        To account for that, I’d add that many sites have provision to change your registered email address (or merge accounts) should you (e.g.) leave your current company but wish to retain your membership. It’s in their best interests to keep members, too.



                                                        But you should remember to do it while you still have access to both accounts, and remember to delete anything that isn’t explicitly your IP. While I don’t think anyone will come after you for a SE question, github and dockerhub are just about perfect places for unwitting IP leakage. It might be simpler just to start again.







                                                        share|improve this answer












                                                        share|improve this answer



                                                        share|improve this answer










                                                        answered Apr 8 at 19:59









                                                        PamPam

                                                        1795




                                                        1795





















                                                            1














                                                            I suggest using your personal E-mail account because you may want to use the same site for personal reasons later on.



                                                            Generally I use the company E-mail account only when the company specifically requires me to do so.




                                                            My company doesn't require me to use these websites, I just want to register at them because some specific task asks for it, or just because I want to.




                                                            As stated in your question, this is clearly not the case. Using your personal account is more appropriate.






                                                            share|improve this answer



























                                                              1














                                                              I suggest using your personal E-mail account because you may want to use the same site for personal reasons later on.



                                                              Generally I use the company E-mail account only when the company specifically requires me to do so.




                                                              My company doesn't require me to use these websites, I just want to register at them because some specific task asks for it, or just because I want to.




                                                              As stated in your question, this is clearly not the case. Using your personal account is more appropriate.






                                                              share|improve this answer

























                                                                1












                                                                1








                                                                1







                                                                I suggest using your personal E-mail account because you may want to use the same site for personal reasons later on.



                                                                Generally I use the company E-mail account only when the company specifically requires me to do so.




                                                                My company doesn't require me to use these websites, I just want to register at them because some specific task asks for it, or just because I want to.




                                                                As stated in your question, this is clearly not the case. Using your personal account is more appropriate.






                                                                share|improve this answer













                                                                I suggest using your personal E-mail account because you may want to use the same site for personal reasons later on.



                                                                Generally I use the company E-mail account only when the company specifically requires me to do so.




                                                                My company doesn't require me to use these websites, I just want to register at them because some specific task asks for it, or just because I want to.




                                                                As stated in your question, this is clearly not the case. Using your personal account is more appropriate.







                                                                share|improve this answer












                                                                share|improve this answer



                                                                share|improve this answer










                                                                answered 2 days ago









                                                                Double Vision Stout Fat HeavyDouble Vision Stout Fat Heavy

                                                                244




                                                                244





















                                                                    1














                                                                    It depends on you company's policy and what websites / tools are we talking about.



                                                                    Personally I prefer to use a personal account for management tools, git repositories and other dev tools and websites I use unless I get specific instructions not to do so or if I am sure I will not use the account in case I leave.



                                                                    I will however not mix my personal account with my work email account, or a company PayPal account with my own.
                                                                    If we're talking about StackExchange (just as an example), I'd rather use my own account.






                                                                    share|improve this answer








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                                                                      1














                                                                      It depends on you company's policy and what websites / tools are we talking about.



                                                                      Personally I prefer to use a personal account for management tools, git repositories and other dev tools and websites I use unless I get specific instructions not to do so or if I am sure I will not use the account in case I leave.



                                                                      I will however not mix my personal account with my work email account, or a company PayPal account with my own.
                                                                      If we're talking about StackExchange (just as an example), I'd rather use my own account.






                                                                      share|improve this answer








                                                                      New contributor




                                                                      daydr3am3r is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                                      Check out our Code of Conduct.






















                                                                        1












                                                                        1








                                                                        1







                                                                        It depends on you company's policy and what websites / tools are we talking about.



                                                                        Personally I prefer to use a personal account for management tools, git repositories and other dev tools and websites I use unless I get specific instructions not to do so or if I am sure I will not use the account in case I leave.



                                                                        I will however not mix my personal account with my work email account, or a company PayPal account with my own.
                                                                        If we're talking about StackExchange (just as an example), I'd rather use my own account.






                                                                        share|improve this answer








                                                                        New contributor




                                                                        daydr3am3r is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                                        Check out our Code of Conduct.










                                                                        It depends on you company's policy and what websites / tools are we talking about.



                                                                        Personally I prefer to use a personal account for management tools, git repositories and other dev tools and websites I use unless I get specific instructions not to do so or if I am sure I will not use the account in case I leave.



                                                                        I will however not mix my personal account with my work email account, or a company PayPal account with my own.
                                                                        If we're talking about StackExchange (just as an example), I'd rather use my own account.







                                                                        share|improve this answer








                                                                        New contributor




                                                                        daydr3am3r is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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                                                                        share|improve this answer



                                                                        share|improve this answer






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                                                                        answered 2 days ago









                                                                        daydr3am3rdaydr3am3r

                                                                        1512




                                                                        1512




                                                                        New contributor




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                                                                            1














                                                                            I extensively use Blur for exactly this purpose.



                                                                            It allows one to generate a masked email address for each website you wish to register to, which then gets forwarded to your real address.



                                                                            This helps protect one against spammers as it allows you to simply block that particular masked address.
                                                                            It also indicates which sites/companies are selling your data because you can see if you receive a mail from a random company to a masked address that you gave to only one place.



                                                                            The browser extension provides a simple popup dialog when selecting an E-mail field.
                                                                            enter image description here






                                                                            share|improve this answer



























                                                                              1














                                                                              I extensively use Blur for exactly this purpose.



                                                                              It allows one to generate a masked email address for each website you wish to register to, which then gets forwarded to your real address.



                                                                              This helps protect one against spammers as it allows you to simply block that particular masked address.
                                                                              It also indicates which sites/companies are selling your data because you can see if you receive a mail from a random company to a masked address that you gave to only one place.



                                                                              The browser extension provides a simple popup dialog when selecting an E-mail field.
                                                                              enter image description here






                                                                              share|improve this answer

























                                                                                1












                                                                                1








                                                                                1







                                                                                I extensively use Blur for exactly this purpose.



                                                                                It allows one to generate a masked email address for each website you wish to register to, which then gets forwarded to your real address.



                                                                                This helps protect one against spammers as it allows you to simply block that particular masked address.
                                                                                It also indicates which sites/companies are selling your data because you can see if you receive a mail from a random company to a masked address that you gave to only one place.



                                                                                The browser extension provides a simple popup dialog when selecting an E-mail field.
                                                                                enter image description here






                                                                                share|improve this answer













                                                                                I extensively use Blur for exactly this purpose.



                                                                                It allows one to generate a masked email address for each website you wish to register to, which then gets forwarded to your real address.



                                                                                This helps protect one against spammers as it allows you to simply block that particular masked address.
                                                                                It also indicates which sites/companies are selling your data because you can see if you receive a mail from a random company to a masked address that you gave to only one place.



                                                                                The browser extension provides a simple popup dialog when selecting an E-mail field.
                                                                                enter image description here







                                                                                share|improve this answer












                                                                                share|improve this answer



                                                                                share|improve this answer










                                                                                answered yesterday









                                                                                user2818782user2818782

                                                                                43238




                                                                                43238





















                                                                                    0














                                                                                    Are you supposed to transfer the account to your company when you left?



                                                                                    If yes, you should use a transferable work email.



                                                                                    If it's clear you should keep the account, you should use your personal email. Companies could have specific rules against this in every case. But a github account could have contributed to both company and personal repositories, and there is the flight mileage thing. I'll not assume anything the usual practice, and recommend you not, but clearly some companies are not against this. It may be even impractical to create and use company accounts on some shopping sites, unless you have the highest authority.



                                                                                    If nobody cares, it's likely the account will be permanently inactive. But if you don't think it belongs to you anymore anyway, better assume it belongs to your company. But don't think about that too much.



                                                                                    To be clear, I consider edu emails ambiguously personal or not, and will not discuss it in this answer.






                                                                                    share|improve this answer








                                                                                    New contributor




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                                                                                      0














                                                                                      Are you supposed to transfer the account to your company when you left?



                                                                                      If yes, you should use a transferable work email.



                                                                                      If it's clear you should keep the account, you should use your personal email. Companies could have specific rules against this in every case. But a github account could have contributed to both company and personal repositories, and there is the flight mileage thing. I'll not assume anything the usual practice, and recommend you not, but clearly some companies are not against this. It may be even impractical to create and use company accounts on some shopping sites, unless you have the highest authority.



                                                                                      If nobody cares, it's likely the account will be permanently inactive. But if you don't think it belongs to you anymore anyway, better assume it belongs to your company. But don't think about that too much.



                                                                                      To be clear, I consider edu emails ambiguously personal or not, and will not discuss it in this answer.






                                                                                      share|improve this answer








                                                                                      New contributor




                                                                                      user23013 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                                                      Check out our Code of Conduct.






















                                                                                        0












                                                                                        0








                                                                                        0







                                                                                        Are you supposed to transfer the account to your company when you left?



                                                                                        If yes, you should use a transferable work email.



                                                                                        If it's clear you should keep the account, you should use your personal email. Companies could have specific rules against this in every case. But a github account could have contributed to both company and personal repositories, and there is the flight mileage thing. I'll not assume anything the usual practice, and recommend you not, but clearly some companies are not against this. It may be even impractical to create and use company accounts on some shopping sites, unless you have the highest authority.



                                                                                        If nobody cares, it's likely the account will be permanently inactive. But if you don't think it belongs to you anymore anyway, better assume it belongs to your company. But don't think about that too much.



                                                                                        To be clear, I consider edu emails ambiguously personal or not, and will not discuss it in this answer.






                                                                                        share|improve this answer








                                                                                        New contributor




                                                                                        user23013 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                                                        Check out our Code of Conduct.










                                                                                        Are you supposed to transfer the account to your company when you left?



                                                                                        If yes, you should use a transferable work email.



                                                                                        If it's clear you should keep the account, you should use your personal email. Companies could have specific rules against this in every case. But a github account could have contributed to both company and personal repositories, and there is the flight mileage thing. I'll not assume anything the usual practice, and recommend you not, but clearly some companies are not against this. It may be even impractical to create and use company accounts on some shopping sites, unless you have the highest authority.



                                                                                        If nobody cares, it's likely the account will be permanently inactive. But if you don't think it belongs to you anymore anyway, better assume it belongs to your company. But don't think about that too much.



                                                                                        To be clear, I consider edu emails ambiguously personal or not, and will not discuss it in this answer.







                                                                                        share|improve this answer








                                                                                        New contributor




                                                                                        user23013 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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                                                                                        share|improve this answer



                                                                                        share|improve this answer






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                                                                                        answered Apr 9 at 2:35









                                                                                        user23013user23013

                                                                                        1012




                                                                                        1012




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