Email is among the most widely used ways for businesses and individuals to communicate online, but hackers believe it is a convenient way to infect devices and systems with malware. The majority of malware found on compromised networks is transmitted via malicious links or attachments included in emails. And once infected, the attacker could gain access in your network and access sensitive information, steal information, or even demand ransom. Email security is essential to protect both your personal and business accounts from cyberattacks.
Use a link scanner that scans all outbound links to a folder and only allow them to be downloaded from there (or even better, do not download them at all). Encryption is an additional crucial step to ensure that anyone who tries to intercept your email or the attachments to it can’t be able to read the content, by converting the plain text into encrypted text. The majority of major email service providers include this feature into their platforms, such as Gmail Microsoft Outlook/Office365, and Android.
Avoid opening any executable file that is included in your email. These files can contain malware or viruses that can damage your computer. If you’re not sure if an attachment is safe, search for it using an online search engine. Pay attention to the file name and its extension.
It is important that employees use strong passwords for logging in to all their accounts. Also, ensure that all employees access email only on secure devices. Avoid the temptation to use a password generator or an auto-fill feature as they can be hacked by hackers. Additionally, you should use 2FA (two-factor authentication) whenever you can — it provides an additional layer of protection by needing a second confirmation from you prior to granting access to your email.
