In today’s digital age, email is one of the most commonly used tools for communication. We rely on email to send sensitive information, share ideas, and make purchases.
Unfortunately, email is also a popular target for cybercriminals looking to steal your data and cause disruption in your daily life.
And as such, it’s now become more important than ever to understand email threat protection and what you can do to protect yourself from malicious attacks.
This comprehensive guide will explain email threat protection and how you can ensure your email is secure. From using save email as PDF to employing two-factor authentication, email threat protection is easier than ever to maintain.
What is email threat protection?
Email threat protection refers to the security measures taken to protect email accounts from malicious activity and cyberattacks.
This can include preventing email spoofing, defending against email phishing scams, and protecting email messages when they are stored.
People can do several email threat protection measures to protect themselves, such as two-factor authentication, email encryption, and saving emails to PDF. We’ll go over these and more a little later.
What are some of the most common email threats?
1. Phishing attacks
One of the most prevalent email threats is phishing attacks. Phishing campaigns are email messages sent by attackers pretending to be someone else with the intention of getting your personal information or login credentials.
There are plenty of ways attackers can lure you into giving away your information. For example, they could email you a link to a fake website, ask you to enter your credentials, or even email you an attachment with malicious code inside.
Some other types of phishing attacks include the following:
- Spear-phishing: Attackers target specific individuals by sending emails containing malicious links or attachments.
- Whaling: Also known as CEO phishing, this attack targets executives and high-level employees to steal confidential data.
- Smishing: This email threat uses text messages to get your personal information or login credentials instead of email.
2. Email spoofing
Email spoofing is a type of email threat that attackers use to hide their identity by sending email messages from an email address they don’t own.
This type of email threat can be used to steal data or send spam emails to unsuspecting victims. Attackers can also use email spoofing to mask their identity and make it appear as if the email is coming from a legitimate source.
Common examples of email spoofing include email messages with a fake “From” address, email messages that use false email headers, and email messages sent from a domain that is not owned by the sender.
3. Malware and ransomware
Malware is a type of malicious software designed to steal or disrupt data on your computer system. Ransomware is a subset of malware that encrypts files or prevents users from accessing their email until they pay a ransom demand.
Both email threats can be incredibly dangerous and can have serious consequences for the victims.
Email messages containing malicious links or attachments are often used to spread malware and ransomware, so it’s important to be extremely cautious when clicking on email links and downloading email attachments.
4. Spam emails
Spam emails are email messages that contain malicious links or attachments or are sent in order to advertise something.
These email threats can be used to spread malware and ransomware, so it’s important to be careful when opening email messages from unknown senders.
Delete email messages from unknown senders without opening them, and be aware of email messages that contain spelling or grammar mistakes.
5. Account hijacking
Many email threats involve attackers gaining access to email accounts and using them for malicious purposes.
Account hijacking involves attackers compromising email accounts by guessing passwords or stealing login credentials.
Once they have access to the email account, they can use it to send spam messages, phishing campaigns, or even steal confidential information.
How can you protect yourself from email threats
1. Save your emails as PDF
One of the easiest ways to protect yourself from email threats is to save your emails to PDF. This will help you keep all of your email messages safely stored offline, so attackers won’t be able to access them.
You can easily save email messages as PDFs using a program such as Adobe Acrobat, but using software like Save Emails To PDF by CloudHQ can make the process even easier. Plus, you can save multiple emails simultaneously, so you don’t have to save them one by one.
2. Use email threat protection software
Another way to protect yourself from email threats is to use email threat protection software such as MailControl or Kaspersky Internet Security.
These programs can help detect and prevent email messages containing malicious links or attachments, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally clicking on a malicious email link or downloading a malicious email attachment.
They can also help protect your email accounts from being hacked by blocking suspicious email messages and alerting you when an email message is identified as malicious.
3. Use two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is an additional layer of security that requires users to enter a one-time code to access their email accounts.
This code is usually sent via text message or email and can help protect your email account from attackers trying to gain access by guessing your password.
Using two-factor authentication can help protect you from email threats, so make sure to enable this security feature for all your email accounts.
4. Use email encryption
Another way to protect yourself from email threats is to use email encryption. Email encryption adds an extra layer of security by scrambling email messages so that only the intended recipient can read them.
This can help prevent attackers from intercepting email messages and accessing the sensitive information contained in them.
Using email encryption is especially important if you’re sending confidential or private information, such as credit card numbers, bank account details, or passwords.
Tips for protecting your email privacy
Tip 1: Use a secure email provider
If you’re looking for an email provider that offers extra security, look for one that uses encryption and two-factor authentication.
Many email providers offer these features, so you must research your options before deciding which email provider is best for you.
Tip 2: Avoid emailing sensitive information
If you’re sending or receiving email messages that contain sensitive information, it’s best to avoid emailing them altogether.
Instead, use a secure file-sharing service such as Dropbox or Google Drive to store and share confidential files.
Tip 3: Don’t open email attachments from unknown senders
Always be wary of email attachments from unknown senders. These email attachments could contain malicious software or ransomware, so it’s best to avoid opening them.
If you do receive email attachments from an unknown sender, scan them with antivirus software before opening them.
Tip 4: Never click on suspicious email links
Suspicious email links can lead to phishing sites or malicious software, so never click on email links from unknown senders. If you do receive a link from an unknown sender, make sure to check the URL before clicking on it.
URLs that contain unusual characters or long strings of numbers and letters are usually suspicious, so be sure to double-check before clicking.
Conclusion
Email threats are a serious problem that can have serious consequences if not handled properly. By following the tips outlined above, you can protect yourself from email threats and keep your email accounts secure.
