Tips for Email Safety

We all have emails to go through and deal with. However, this can become much more than a chore if something goes wrong. There are many ways that criminals can make you a target for a scam or malware. Criminals are always looking for ways to profit from the lax security of others, so don’t play into their hands. There are a number of things you can do to keep the threats at bay.

Mark Strange Emails as Spam

If you get a strange email that you aren’t sure about, don’t open it. This is especially true if the email seems a little fishy. Think an announcement that you’re a winner of something you never entered or someone you’ve never heard of is just saying hi. Mark those emails as spam, and never open them to stay safe from anything that could be inside them.

Scan Attachments

Attachments are a major carrier of malware, and you’re at risk of a wide variety of worms, viruses, and ransomware if you open the wrong attachment. Your email program should scan each attachment and let you know whether it’s safe. If yours doesn’t, it might be worth it to change to a different email address where scanning is automatic. With any attachments, especially those you weren’t expecting, don’t open them until they’ve been scanned. Never download anything from an email that hasn’t been scanned. Making a mistake here could mean that your system gets infected and your data stolen.

Watch What You Send

Sending anything confidential through email makes that data vulnerable. If you need to get data such as SSNs, banking information, or passwords, try to get that data to the recipient in some other way. In general, there are few reasons why you should have to send this information at all. There are scam emails sent by the millions that ask for this type of information on behalf of a popular company. Companies like your bank and PayPal won’t ask for information like that over an email. If you’re asked for this information, chances are it’s a scam.

Ignore Spam Emails

You may want to stop getting spam messages and be tempted to use the unsubscribe link on the email to stop them. However, this often tells spammers that they’ve reached an active email address. This will only bring you more spam. Instead of doing this, mark the email as spam. In addition, never click any link at all in an email that you don’t recognize or that could be spam. Don’t reply to the email and don’t click anything even if they tell you you’ll benefit from it.

Get Anti-Virus Software

If you aren’t already using anti-virus software, it’s time to start. Look for anti-virus software that’s well-regarded to help keep your computer safe. Check out the ratings of the anti-virus software to make sure that it’s working for its customers.

Don’t Use Open WiFi

Open WiFi, any WiFi such as public WiFI that isn’t secured, is vulnerable to hackers. Hackers can get into what you’re doing on your phone or other portable device and take sensitive data. The best way to stay safe is to never connect to these networks at all. But if you have to connect, avoid signing into anything that has sensitive data stored on it such as a bank account.

Secure Your Passwords

Making strong passwords can help you keep accounts safe. The password you choose should use both letters and numbers as well as special characters when allowed. Then, the password should be changed about every 60 days or less. Don’t tell anyone your passwords or write them somewhere where they’ll be seen. Don’t use the same password for all of your accounts. This could lead to a chain reaction of hacking.

Use Your Spam Filter

Virtually all email systems have a spam filter, and you need to engage with it. Your spam filter should catch obvious spam messages, including those that are potentially dangerous. Be sure to mark spam as such so that the system learns what is spam and what isn’t.

Avoid Unsolicited Email

There are many companies, perhaps most of them these days, that send out bulk emails that can clog up your inbox. The key to avoiding these is to avoid giving up your email address. Have a throwaway account and use that when you buy something or when you need to have an email address on your website or on a message board. Giving your email address away often means that bulk email won’t just come from the company- it may also come from countless companies that do business with them. Guard your personal email and only give the address to those you want to get email from.

Call in the Professionals

Email is a part of daily life, but it can quickly become a security risk if you’re not careful. Cybercriminals often use email scams or malware to exploit vulnerabilities and gain access to sensitive information. Staying vigilant and practicing good email habits is essential to avoid falling into their traps. Simple precautions like recognizing phishing attempts and avoiding suspicious links can go a long way. But even with careful practices, threats can still find a way through. That’s where iLOCK360 steps in, offering advanced identity theft protection and credit monitoring to ensure your data stays secure and your peace of mind intact.

Click here to learn more about how iLOCK360 can help keep you safe this season.
Shop smart, stay secure, and enjoy worry-free!

Click here to learn more.