Re:“Username cannot contain 'clyde'”
by jeffbee on Sunday November 20, 2022 @11:46PM
(#33688888)
Huh, TIL. Is that documented anywhere? I confirmed that you're right by trying to create a new address, but I've never heard of this rule before.
[ Parent
| on HN ]
It's a common security practice, to prevent scammers from using official-looking usernames, or even tricking services that verify domain ownership by sending email to postmaster@ or admin@.
Such lists are usually kept secret, but there are a few open source word lists that people can adopt for their services, for example, https://github.com/shouldbee/reserved-usernames.
I discovered it innocently. I wanted to create a gmail address named support{myfirm}.gmail.com. Of course I instantly understood what you point out but then I had to discover all the other edge cases.