In this fast-paced digital age, cybersecurity is not something that should be taken lightly. Every year, thousands of internet users are hacked, and their data is exposed through data breaches. It is, therefore, a must to learn how to protect your email accounts, both personal and professional. Emails contain a lot of sensitive information about you, including your shopping habits and your schedule. It also has records of intimate conversations and medical issues. A hacker could also send malware to your family members, friends, and colleagues, posing as you. Although email security can be time-consuming and challenging to achieve, it is essential. It Is Essential To Have Strong Passwords It is not necessary to explain why strong passwords are essential. Research after research shows that many Internet users use weak passwords such as "qwerty", “1111", "password" and their kids' names. You can use a password generator to improve your email security to create a long, secure password (at least ten characters). All passwords must be unique. Data breaches happen every day, and any leaked password will most likely be sold on the black market to the highest bidder. You are likely to be hacked if you have used the same password for multiple accounts. Beware Of Phishing Phishing is definitely one of the greatest threats to our email accounts. Phishing attacks are different from other hacking methods because they rely entirely on deception. The hacker may send an email to the victim impersonating a legitimate institution. This could be a bank, government, or payment platform such as PayPal. These emails can often communicate a sense of fear and urgency. You might be informed that your card is blocked or that you haven't paid your credit card bill. They will redirect the victim to a fake site to enter their login details and credit card information. This goes directly to hackers. These attacks are well-known, and it is essential to be able to recognize them. Be wary of emails that seem too good to be true or that put you in a panic mode. You could easily save yourself if you stay cautious about clicking on links in emails. Instead of clicking the link in an email from PayPal, type the URL into the search bar. This way, you can be sure you will land on the right site. Don't Download Suspicious Attachments Phishing emails may also direct you to a website that hackers have compromised. Use the built-in functionality in your webmail provider to open commonly infected files such as pdf, Xls, or doc. Gmail's virus scanner can scan attachments. An attachment sandbox can be used to provide additional security. It would pre-open attachments in a safe environment and report back if any malware was detected. Don't download any free software. These programs come with security issues. Protect Your Account With 2-Factor Authentication Email attacks are becoming so sophisticated that it's not shameful to fall prey to them. If you do fall for one, ensure you have a backup plan. Two-factor authentication seems to add an extra layer of security to your data if your password is compromised. This is an excellent form of email security. Two-factor authentication combines a password with a second verification step. There are many options for authentication, but some methods are more secure than others. Hackers have used SMS to redirect victims' texts to their SIM cards, so texting is less trusted. Instead, use an authenticator app for your phone or a security code. Encrypt Your Emails Encryption is another critical component of email security. Encryption is the great way to go to protect sensitive emails from being intercepted or snooped upon. Only someone with the key (or the password) can open encrypted email.
