Email is one of the most commonly used methods to communicate online, both for individuals and companies, however hackers are using it to infect systems and devices with malware. The majority of malware found on compromised networks is the result of malicious hyperlinks or attachments to emails. And once infected, the attacker is able to gain access in your network and access sensitive information, steal data or even demand ransom. This is the reason why email security best practices are essential to protect your personal and corporate accounts from cyberattacks.
Make use of a link scanner which scans outbound links and only allows the downloading of those links (or better than that, never download them). The encryption process is a crucial one and ensures that anyone who gets your email or the attachments to it can’t access the content by turning plain text into encrypted text. Many major email providers have this capability built within their platforms, such as Gmail and Microsoft Outlook/Office365, and Android.
Beware of opening executable files attached to emails as these kinds of files could contain malware or viruses that could harm your computer. If you aren’t sure whether an attachment is secure look it up using an internet search engine. Be aware of the file name and its extension.
Make sure your employees use strong passwords for logging in to their accounts. Also, ensure that your employees access email only on secure devices. Avoid using a password generator, or an auto-fill feature. These are vulnerable to being hacked by hackers. Make sure you use 2FA (two-factor authentication) whenever possible — this helps to add an extra layer of protection by needing a second confirmation from you prior to granting access to your email.
