Email is a ubiquitous communication tool that we rely on every day to stay connected with friends, family, and colleagues. However, the rise of phishing attacks has made email security an increasingly urgent concern. In fact, according to a recent report, phishing attacks increased by 62% in 2022, with over 240 million phishing emails sent every day.
Falling for a phishing scam can lead to severe consequences, including stolen personal information, financial loss, and even identity theft. In this blog, we will explore essential tips for keeping your email safe and avoiding the devastating effects of a bad email.
Here are some simple steps you can take that will lower the chance of you becoming a victim of a cyber attack:
Use a strong password.
Using a strong and unique password is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your email account. A strong password should be at least 12 characters long, including uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. It should also be unique and not used for any other accounts. Avoid using common phrases or information that can be easily guessed, such as your name, birth date, or pet's name.
Enable two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your email account by requiring a second form of authentication, such as a code sent to your phone, in addition to your password. This helps prevent unauthorized access even if your password is compromised.
Be cautious of suspicious emails
Phishing is a common attack that uses email to trick you into revealing sensitive information or clicking on a malicious link. Be cautious of emails that ask for personal information, use urgent language, or come from unfamiliar or suspicious senders. Always verify the sender and double-check the URL before clicking on any links or downloading attachments.
Keep your software up to date
Keeping your email software up to date is essential for security as it includes patches for any known vulnerabilities. Make sure you enable automatic updates to ensure you have the latest version of the software.
Use antivirus software
Antivirus software can help protect your computer from malware and other threats. Make sure you have an up-to-date antivirus program installed on your computer and regularly run scans to check for any threats.
Avoid Public Wi-Fi
Using public Wi-Fi to access your email account can be risky as it is easy for hackers to intercept your information. If you need to check your email while on the go, use a VPN, access your data through hosted workspace, or use 4G all so that when you connect your device it isn't open to anyone else that may want to connect to the Wi-Fi
Use encryption
Email encryption is a technique used to protect the content of your emails from being read by anyone other than the intended recipient. Look for email services that offer end-to-end encryption, which encrypts your message from the moment you send it until it is received by the recipient.
As an IT managed service provider, we understand the importance of email security for businesses of all sizes. Here are some solutions we recommend to keep your email safe:
Email filtering:
Implementing email filtering solutions can help protect your business from spam, phishing attacks, and other malicious emails. Email filtering uses advanced algorithms and machine learning to scan incoming emails for suspicious content and attachments and prevent them from reaching your inbox.
Employee training:
Educating your employees on email security best practices is crucial in preventing cyber-attacks. Regular training sessions can help your employees recognize phishing scams, avoid clicking on malicious links, and report suspicious emails.
Two-factor authentication:
Enabling two-factor authentication on your email accounts adds an extra layer of security, making it more difficult for cyber-criminals to gain access to your account.
Encryption:
Encrypting your emails ensures that the content of your messages is protected from unauthorized access. Using email encryption solutions, such as S/MIME or PGP, can help keep your emails secure.
Anti-virus and anti-malware software:
Installing anti-virus and anti-malware software on your computers can help protect your business from malware infections and other cyber attacks.
Email archiving:
Implementing an email archiving solution can help ensure that your business is in compliance with industry regulations, as well as providing a backup of all emails for disaster recovery purposes.
Network security:
Implementing network security solutions, such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems, can help protect your business from cyber-attacks and prevent unauthorized access to your network.
A Partner to Watch Over Your Shoulder
Implementing email security solutions is crucial in protecting your business from cyber-attacks and ensuring that your confidential information is kept safe. As an IT managed service provider, we recommend implementing a multi-layered approach to email security, including email filtering, employee training, two-factor authentication, encryption, anti-virus and anti-malware software, email archiving, and network security.
As a professional managed service provider with nearly two decades of experience we have implemented managed and protected the emails for hundreds of businesses. If you're part of a growing business with a number of users having a partner watching over your shoulder is invaluable. To learn more please get in contact on 0330 002 0045 or email enquiries@entrustit.co.uk
