8 Top tIps to enhance email security

First of all, make sure your account security settings are correct. Then follow our top tips for email security.

1. Have a back-up email addresses

Common sense dictates that if one eMail account fails, you need a back-up address. A minimum of 2 addresses is strongly recommended.

One or more business address and one or more personal addresses is an ideal option to separate sensitive accounts from more general use; subscriptions, event registrations, downloads, surveys etc.

As always, for each account use a unique password and follow password best practice.

2. Password best practice

Too many people use the same password over and over again. An ideal password is unique and regularly changed. Consider the use of non-dictionary words, numbers, hashtags, characters and don’t make it easy.

Never use birthdays or other dates you freely promote on your social media channels! When you make your range of passwords as difficult as possible, you may need to employ a password manager.

Consider, two-factor authentication – as much is takes a little more time and slight inconvenience.   

3. Don’t forget in this mobile world, your smartphone may be the first line of attack

Your smartphone must have a password code or fingerprint access. Weak smartphone security can be an open door to your otherwise well protected laptop, desktop and network devices.

4. Your email account may be safe but ……

• How are you accessing your email account?
• Is your browser up to-date and safe?
• Check your browser settings and security.

Wherever possible, do not use public devices to access your email.

5. Information is considered private for a reason!

• Security experts are still amazed at how much personal information people are willing to share and make very public online and in particular on social media.
• You should never share private information especially on social media networks – when you are on holiday, your home details, family information, dates of birth, pets and so on.
• If an email looks suspicious – it probably is! Spelling mistakes, asking for your personal details, bank accounts and so on should all be a red flag.

6. Free public Wi-Fi may be a security free for all

If you really have to use free wi-fi – do not login to your email account and certainly do not login to any bank or online transaction website!

7. Scammers also love phishing

Your email account will no doubt have received one of those messages. They have evolved from Nigerian princes with millions of dollars to some very clever techniques designed to fool even the most intelligent of targets.  

Stick to the tried and tested safety rules:

• If you know the sender but the message is unusual or unlike them – check it first
• If the link looks suspicious – don’t click it
• If you’re not sure about the sender – don’t reply or forward the message
• If the attachments looks odd or unsafe, don’t open it or download it.

8. Do the work – do the updates

First line of defence – make sure you keep your software up-to-date. A few seconds or minutes may save hours, days or months of hassle. Consider a good, reliable, real-time anti-virus and back-up your data and conduct regular scans.

And remember, if you have an attitude that it can never happen to you, it can and probably will – unless your assess your risk and take preventative action.

To find out more how EVC Marketing can help you with our cyber security services, contact us today.