We often take the privacy and security of our inboxes for granted, although many of us can’t operate without reading our email daily. But if the Sony Pictures attack taught us anything, it’s that email is a top target for hackers and data thieves — and it’s not a difficult target to hit.
While most of us aren’t spies sending U.S. secrets to hostile countries via email, the thought that someone may have a backdoor into our correspondence is disconcerting.It’s only up to you to take a few steps to ensure the security of your email:
According to the Email Helpline Number, 10 ways to keep your email from being hacked are:
1. Wherever practical, use a password manager and two-factor authentication.
Using a reputable password manager, change all of your internet passwords to safe, unique ones. This cannot be stressed enough. Credential stuffing is a hacking tactic in which hackers attempt to fill as many internet accounts as possible with previously obtained usernames and passwords. Why? Because many usernames and passwords are shared across several accounts.
It takes effort to create a unique password for each of your online accounts, but it’s worth it to prevent the danger. When setting up IoT devices in your house, follow the same steps (and check for IoT gadgets that allow 2FA when you acquire them!).
2. Check for 2FA support when signing up for a new email service.
Not all email providers support two-factor authentication. Check to see what levels of protection are available when joining up with an email provider, such as 2FA through SMS (less secure) or app-based authentication, such as Google Authenticator or Authy.
3. Should not tap on suspicious-looking links in emails or communications.
Another prominent source of cybercrime is malware-infected email attachments. Instead, open a different browser and check the company’s website or the link in the email to see if the information provided is accurate. As a general guideline, never open links or download attachments from unknown senders. Emails from well-known senders with no context that include links or files are also risky.
4. On both your PC and your phone, use a VPN.
If at all possible, avoid using public Wi-Fi or laptops. When you’re not at home or on the road, use your computer or mobile device to access the internet, with your VPN turned on, of course.
5. Be wary about oversharing.
Personal information may be used against you in a variety of ways, including the name of your dog or cat, schools you’ve attended, your birthday and that of family members, and so on, yet most people don’t think twice about posting it on social media. It may appear innocent (and it generally is), but malevolent hackers use it to try to guess passwords or build a bogus ema connection.
6. Read and understand your service provider’s terms of service.
The terms of service for your email provider can tell you a lot more than media interviews and marketing can. For starters, it will inform you of the level of protection they provide. Are there any safeguards against brute-force attacks? While you may believe that your email provider is looking out for your best interests, there’s a strong possibility that they don’t. Take Google, for example, which allows automatic monitoring of private email. You’ll probably notice after reading your email provider’s terms of service that keeping your private email safe isn’t their top concern — it’s completely up to you.
7. Use different passwords for each login.
Obtaining a batch of login and password combinations from one source and attempting those same combinations elsewhere is one of the simplest ways for hackers to obtain information. Assume that hackers get your login and password by hacking an email provider. They may attempt to get into financial sites or large online businesses using the same login and password combination. The single greatest approach to avoid a single data leak from causing a chain reaction is to use a strong, unique password for every online account you have.
8. Use different email addresses
People that are meticulous about their security typically use various email accounts for different purposes to keep their online identities distinct. If a phishing email claiming to be from your bank arrives on your social media account, you know it’s a scam.
9. Delete Your Cache
Cookies, stored searches, and Web history might all link to your home location, family details, and other sensitive information. To properly secure the information that may be lying in your Web history, take care to erase browser cookies and clear your browser history regularly. It is simple. Simply press Ctrl+Shift+Del in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Internet Explorer, or Opera to bring up a box that allows you to select which components of browser data you wish to remove. If you use a different browser, try that key combination anyway; it could work. Otherwise, browse the menu.
10) Install decent antivirus software on all computers.
This is one of our recommendations that will not only improve your email security but also the security of everything else on your computer. Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus, Norton AntiVirus, Kaspersky Anti-Virus, and Bitdefender Antivirus Plus are PC Magazine’s top picks for anti-virus software. The image below compares these goods.
It may not always appear that keeping your email safe and secure is a primary focus. However, for businesses of all sizes and in all industries, establishing comprehensive email security policies is a must. If you have any questions about it, call SBCglobal Customer Care Number for assistance.