While Internet offers access to a world of products and services, entertainment and information, it also provides platform to scammers, hackers, and identity thieves. Email remains the main route for data leakage. Here are some important email security tips you should put in practice.
Set a complex password
While most us choose to keep a simple password that is easy to key-in, a better approach to secure your email box is to keep a complex passwords that are regularly updated and kept as a secret. Mind you! Never ever use the password that you’ve set for one email box to log onto your corporate apps and network resources. The reason behind this is that even if your one account gets compromised, another still stays safe.
Safeguard your usernames and passwords
Think twice when you’re asked to enter credentials like usernames and passwords. Never provide them in response to an email. If the email or text seems to be from your bank, for example, visit the bank website directly rather than clicking on any links or calling any numbers in the message. Scammers impersonate well-known businesses to trick people into giving out personal information.
Block breaches
Several Data Breach Investigations have discovered that hackers are increasingly conducting email attacks to support espionage much of which is corporate espionage. The average digital threat can remain undetected in an environment for more than 100 days, according to Verizon. These attacks are more organized than ever, often conducted by organized criminals or even state-supported. To counter this, many companies have launched a network security and incident response that can identify and block a breach in mere 15 minutes. One of them is, Nuspire’s HALO that incorporates point solutions (in which one problem is fixed without regard to related issues) and managed security services (network security services) into one service experience.
Setup Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication is a security mechanism that requires two types of credentials for authentication and is designed to provide an additional layer of validation, minimizing security breaches. Two-factor authentication is also known as strong authentication.
You can setup two-factor authentication to your Apple ID, Gmail, Outlook and more. With two-factor authentication, only you can access your account on a trusted device or the web. When you want to sign in to a new device for the first time, you’ll need to provide two pieces of information—your password and the six-digit verification code that’s automatically displayed on your trusted devices or sent to your phone number. By entering the code, you’re verifying that you trust the new device. For example, if you have an iPhone and are signing into your account for the first time on a newly purchased Mac, you’ll be prompted to enter your password and the verification code that’s automatically displayed on your iPhone.
Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams
Scammers use email or text messages to trick you into giving them your personal information. They may try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could gain access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.
Phishing emails and text messages may look like they’re from a company you know or trust. They may look like they’re from a bank, a credit card company, a social networking site, an online payment website or app, or an online store. Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. It is best to avoid opening any such emails.
Take help of anti-malware engines
During the COVID-19 lockdown, there is a steep surge in cyber-crimes. It seems that Malware of all shapes and sizes are getting more vicious and increasing tremendously. If order to safeguard yourself from zero-day exploits, you must take help of multiple anti-malware engines for true protection.
Download free software only from sites you know and trust
If you’re not sure who to trust, do some research before you download any software. Free games, file-sharing programs, and customized toolbars also could contain malware that could eventually hack your email ID.
Don’t treat public computers like your personal computer
If it’s not your computer, don’t let a web browser remember your passwords, and make sure to log out of any accounts when you’re done. In fact, if you can help it, don’t access personal accounts — like email, or especially bank accounts — on public computers at all. (Also be careful any time you use public Wi-Fi.)
Never click on unknown links
Remember to never click or open attachments in emails until and unless you know who sent them and what they are. That link or attachment could install malware on your computer.
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