Tips for Keeping Your Email Accounts Secure

Think about how many emails you write a day, transferring messages back and forth between coworkers, clients, partners, and anyone else you may need to share information with. Now, how many of them can you say for sure were secure and protected from the prying hands of a hacker? Many employees assume that their email is secure, and can become very comfortable with sending potentially sensitive information through their work email app. This misconception of safety can result in data leaks, unauthorized data access, and invasion of you company’s network. Here are a few tips to ensure that any and all emails being sent out are safe from unwanted intruders.

Encryption

One of the major issues with email is how it is delivered to the recipient. Even though the information might be protected by an internal server, once the email leaves that server it may be at risk while traveling the public internet. However, an encrypted email will be protected even after it leaves a secure network. Encryption works by allowing you to create an identity verification between sender and recipient. Those without an approved cipher will be unable to read the email, or know where the information is being sent from. This is one of the best ways to ensure that the only people who can access sensitive information are those who the data is intended for.

Separate Accounts

Typically, people tend to try and stick to one email account when signing up for new things. In many cases, employees may use their work email to sign up for personal accounts on the internet. As a result, their inboxes become flooded with marketing information from various websites and stores. Not only does this mean a likely increase in phishing or scamming attacks, but it also means that an attack on your email may put more than just an employee’s personal data in danger. By separating your email accounts, you will boost your security and be able to manage sensitive data much more carefully.

Stronger Passwords

While this may seem like a given, there are many email accounts that have surprisingly predictable passwords. This includes simple codes ‘123456,’ ‘qwerty,’ or even ‘password.’ Even if your password is a bit more secure, you may be surprised how easy it can be to guess the things you may think no one will know, such as a birthday or maiden name. Instead of making something easy to remember (and easy to guess,) try creating a password with a mixture of upper and lower case, letter, and symbols. Try to avoid using the exact same password for each account just in case. This will ensure your other accounts are safe if one gets hacked.

Watch Out for Email Phishing

Phishing is one of the most common types of scams, and are constantly improving in order to trick email users into giving up their personal information. A phishing scam is where a hacker sends a user an email claiming to be a representative from a well-known organization, such as Facebook or Amazon. Typically, they try to convince the user that there is an issue with the users account, and ask them to provide their login credentials to fix the issue. Remember, no company should ever ask for your password or any personal information, especially not through an unsecure email. Before responding to an email, make sure the sender is legitimate and not asking for anything that might put your information at risk.

Worried that your sensitive data might be leaked due to an unsecure network? Call Info Advantage at (585) 254-8710 to speak to a qualified security professional about how you can boost your email security.