How can you check to see if and address (e-mail) is good ?

Answer 1

You can only send an email to check if you get a bounced back message withing a max of a few hours (normally withing a couple of minutes).

Of course never do this with spammers because this will show them the address is monitored and they will multiply the spamming.

Answer 2

Most email addresses on spam are bogus. You do not have to use a legit email address to send an email. It only has to be in the correct format. You can use any return address. You can use a return address like "[e-mail]. As long as there is a valid address you are sending it to, it will go there.

The IP address is only good to trace back to an ISP at best. Individual computers usually get a different IP address, from the ISP, everytime you turn it on. This is known as Dynamic IP Addresses.

If it is spam, do not respond to it. This is the way they confirm your email address as valid. The Yahoo Email Help site has info on how to deal with spam. The Federal Trade Commission also has much about this.

http://www.ftc.gov/

Answer 3

Depends on what you mean by "good."

Send a message to the address. If it doesn't bounce back within a couple of days, then the e-mail landed on a server somewhere.

It's harder, though, to find out if anyone is checking mail that's going to that address. You can set your mail client's option to request a return receipt, and the recipient might send you one, or might reply to the message.

If the recipient doesn't reply, then you have a working address that nobody's watching.

Answer 4

The email will almost always be returned to you if the address is no good. The server will tell you thru your email. Trial and error. That may not be only way but it's my way.

Answer 5

an error message will return to you.