What Is Email Security? 8 Things You Should Secure Today
Email security is an important consideration for individuals and businesses alike. Email has facilitated quick and easy communication across the world. However, with increased use comes increased risk of cyber attacks. Hackers use various techniques to gain access to sensitive information like personal data and login details. As a result, ensuring email security has become crucial in today's digital era — it remains one of the most vulnerable entry points for cybercriminals. Phishing and other email attacks continue to rise each year, and the average cost of a data breach for a company is over $4 million.
In this article, we delve into the significance of email security and provide steps to protect email communications against cyber threats.
The Ramifications of a Successful Email Attack
The results of a successful email attack can be dire: individuals might fall victim to identity theft and financial losses. Businesses, on the other hand, might suffer the loss of intellectual property, reputational damage, theft of customer data and/or legal action.
Best Practices for Email Security
Use Strong and Unique Passwords
Using strong and unique passwords is one of the most basic yet effective ways to secure email communications. Strong passwords should contain at least eight characters, which include a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using personal information that is easily guessable, such as birthdays or names, and never reuse passwords for various accounts. This makes it harder for hackers to guess or crack passwords and access email accounts.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication is a critical step in ensuring email security. It provides an additional layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, such as a code sent to your phone, besides your password. This makes it more challenging for hackers to gain access to email accounts, even if they manage to crack or guess your password. Several popular email providers offer two-factor authentication, so make sure you enable it for your email account.
Use Encryption
Encryption is the process of converting email messages and attachments into a code that is unreadable without a decryption key. This ensures that email messages remain private and secure, even if a third party intercepts them. Use end-to-end encryption to ensure that messages are encrypted from the moment they're sent to the moment they're received.
Be Wary of Suspicious Emails
Being vigilant of suspicious emails is another essential aspect of email security. Be careful with emails from unknown senders — those that ask for personal information or contain links to unfamiliar websites are definitely scams. Phishing scams are rampant and can lead to the compromise of email accounts. Never click on links or open attachments from suspicious or unknown emails, and never provide personal information in response to email requests.
Keep Your Software Updated
Updating your operating system, browser or email client (if you still use a desktop client) regularly is another vital step in securing email accounts. Software updates include security patches that fix security vulnerabilities and prevent cyber attacks. Therefore, keep your software updated to ensure optimal email security.
Limit Personal Information in Emails
Avoid including sensitive or personal information in your emails, such as social security numbers, credit card information, or passwords. If you need to share sensitive information, use a secure file-sharing service or encrypt the information in your email. By limiting personal information in emails, you can reduce the risk of identity theft and financial loss if your email account is compromised.
Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Using a virtual private network (VPN) can help secure your internet connection and protect your email communications from being intercepted by third parties. This is especially important if you're using public Wi-Fi networks or accessing your email from a remote location.
Monitor Your Accounts Regularly
Regularly checking your email accounts for suspicious activity can help you detect and prevent cyber attacks. Be on the lookout for unfamiliar emails, changes to your email settings, or suspicious login attempts. By monitoring your accounts regularly, you can detect potential security threats early and take action before it’s too late.
Educate Yourself and Your Employees
Finally, educating yourself and your employees on email security best practices is crucial in preventing cyber attacks. Train yourself and your employees on how to recognize suspicious emails, how to create and manage strong passwords, and how to use two-factor authentication and encryption. Send them this blog post if you want to give them some handy tips!
In summary
Email security is crucial to safeguard against cyber attacks, which are on the rise. It’s important to stay vigilant and be prepared. Following these best practices is a great start for keeping your email secure, and avoiding the theft of your data.