What are the best security and privacy tips for using email? 2020 List

Generally speaking, a messaging service can be defined as a system capable of deliver messages on the network . In this way, it has become an essential tool for Internet users, thanks to the fact that they can communicate through this channel. Also appreciating this, the most offer speed, efficiency, comfort and simplicity .

However, while email clients are so beneficial to users, the truth is that they can have reveal certain risks in terms of policy and security . Since, by default, a e-mail goes through many systems before finally reaching its intended recipient. As a result, it is possible that an unwanted third party will intercept and control it .

Therefore, to be more aware of this, it is worth knowing what are the main threats present in email services and luckily we'll share that information with you below. In addition to that, we will advise you on various aspects to take into account to optimize your security and protect email confidentiality to the highest possible level.

What are the main security risks of email services?

Despite the fact that most of the most used messaging platforms offer an optimal level of protection to their users; Likewise, there may be security holes in these online sites. . For this reason, the use of electronic mail presents certain risks in terms of confidentiality, even if the client is protected by a firewall .

In addition, it is no secret that, with the development of new technologies, many threats have have been generated in the online environment that harass users. Many of them focus on intercepting communications made through courier services, because this are platforms that reveal massive use .

So, when trying to minimize these risks and implement the tips that we will mention later, it is extremely important to take into account the risks you are exposing yourself to if you are not careful about this issue .

That is why, below, we inform you of the main security issues present in most messaging platforms:

spam

Basically it refers to unsolicited bulk messages well, they are defined as large amounts of mailings or advertising shipments that are made over the Internet. In this way, the "Spamming" can be defined as the act of sending unwanted messages and is a malicious action performed by an individual called a "spammer" .

Spam is generally annoying and can be very dangerous . Since many unsolicited bulk messages in HTML format contain potentially dangerous scripts who manage to acquire access data and even passwords. Which means they put your privacy at risk without warning .

Emails with malicious attachments

In addition to the above, unfortunately, spam emails can have contain malicious attachments . This, so that the user concerned can access said files and, in this way, give access to your computer to untrustworthy people who can spy on all the data that is useful to them, in particular using some malware .

Typically, these files can be: ZIP and RAR files, PDF files and ISO disc images, Microsoft Office documents, etc. . So, for example, ZIP and RAR files hide powerful malware, while PDF files hide dangerous links, and Office documents are ideal for showing embedded macros. to scripts designed to download malware .

Phishing

Another of the most powerful risks characteristic of email platforms relates to a threat known as phishing. THU take advantage of different social engineering techniques to commit the crime . Since then it has been defined as sending emails which apparently come from a trusted source and are in fact designed to manipulate the recipient .

In this way, pretending to be a bank, an energy company or some other legitimate service, they manage to acquire confidential information to use it to stop their malicious actions . In view of this, they even use web pages which are similar in appearance to the legal company, so that the users provide their personal data with confidence .

Email scams

Email scams are also considered to be the one of the biggest security holes exposed by these websites . While for many years untrusted individuals operating on the network have used online messaging platforms to spreading their email scams . This is a risk very similar to phishing.

In this sense, by using an email service, the online crooks proceed to share an email with many people in an attempt to make them fall into their trap. Is propose a millionaire company in which you must invest a specific amount, or offer the best job of your life to earn something economical, for example.

The deluge of emails

This is a type of denial of service attack that is typically generated when a system is overloaded due to multiple emails . Malicious individuals therefore use it to create a program that sends billions of emails to a single server. to flood it .

This way, if the server does not have the correct security, the infringer will accomplish his mission, since the destination server will suffer a denial of service, automatically, thanks to the fact that the storage disk is full of unnecessary messages . With this, these people will take control of the attack email, taking advantage of the system's vulnerability .

Confidentiality risks

As we saw earlier, when an email is sent, it has to go through different systems before reaching the corresponding recipient. As a result, if it is not correctly encrypted , the sender will lose his confidentiality when he is spied on by any indiscreet individual who manages to intercept said message and read it at any time along the way .

Tips for improving the privacy and security of your email account

The courier services being the one of the most frequent entry routes for attacks and threats , it is essential that you properly optimize the privacy and security of your email account (s). With this you minimize your vulnerability to such actions illegitimate and get better user experience.

Therefore, here we give you the most suitable recommendations to renew your privacy on these platforms:

Use a strong password

The first point to take into account is based on the use of a word de powerful pass to better protect the information you process through your email account. To do this, choose to add at least 10 characters containing upper and lower case letters, numbers and special signs.

In addition to that, make sure that this password does not use your personal data or a single word that appears in the dictionary and, aside from that, avoid using the same password in your other online accounts. Also don't use the passwords you used previously and focus on changing that password. every three months , following the same safety instructions.

Enable 2-step verification

Also called "Two-factor check" , checking in two steps is additional functionality in email platforms in order to add an extra layer of security to your customers' accounts . Well, this corresponds to a security measure with which it is more complicated for a third party to access a personal account without authorization, even if he knows the identifiers (e-mail address and password) .

Therefore, we advise you to enable two-step verification and thus benefit from greater security. Taking into account that, thanks to this adjustment, it it will be impossible for an offender to carry out a phishing action , as well as other types of attacks. Fortunately, it's very easy to set up and usually lets you choose between two options for the system to verify your identity.

Avoid sending and receiving sensitive information

Another important point to optimize your online privacy is to avoid processing information that could compromise your privacy through messaging platforms . In other words, it is better to stop using these services regularly when sending and / or receiving personal data of a private nature.

Otherwise, it will be easier for other people to malicious purposes intercept this information and comment on an attack on your integrity . However, in case you need to do it via this route, be sure to configure the sending and receiving protocols accordingly (SMTP and POP3 / IMAP, accordingly) to add a layer of security.

Don't open emails from unknown people

If you receive an email from an unknown user, it is best to ignore and avoid opening it, as well as deleting it immediately . Since then, it is likely that through the said email, a malicious person will attempt to establish contact with you to commit their attack and compromise your privacy. Especially if he contains links to illegitimate web pages and / or files containing malware .

Be very careful with attachments

Files attached to an email have been considered a potential risk for recipients . Since then, by default, it is the route used by many criminals to install malware on victims' computers and intercept their confidential data .

Therefore, it is better that you choose to stop opening attachments whose origin you don't know and, most importantly, if you received them from an unknown sender. Apart from that, as in the previous case, it is advisable to delete these types of messages directly in order to prevent the installation of the malware in question in any way. Simply put, only open an attachment if you know who it is and what it contains .

Activate mail filters

Basically, Mail Filters are defined as an email client utility that provides the ability to organize messages received in a personalized way . Thus, they are a great help for check all those unwanted emails that may endanger your privacy . For this reason, we recommend that you activate spam filters to avoid accessing untrusted emails.

However, you should keep in mind that these filters require a bit of training to be able to differentiate SPAM or spam from legitimate e-mails . Therefore, you will need to take some time to mark all the messages that have not been filed correctly for later, so that you can obtain satisfactory results and test the optimal effectiveness of the spam filter .

Alert with forwarded messages

Although this is true, under different circumstances the SPAM tends to take advantage of the forwarding of emails to take effect . For this reason, it is essential that you be careful with forwarding emails to multiple addresses at the same time.

Indeed, once an e-mail is re-sent, the recipients are automatically added to the body of the message, via a list. Therefore, this list will be constantly in motion and more and more receivers will be included. Therefore, if said e-mail falls into the hands of a spammer, it will be able to carry out his actions immediately .

Therefore, it is better that, before forwarding all or part of the email, you take care of delete all email addresses received . This way you can minimize the possibility that SPAM authors easily comment on their crimes .

Use different email accounts

Another practical tip for preserving your privacy in this environment is to keep multiple email accounts active, depending on each use . In other words, it is recommended to use one personal account , another for professional or professional matters and even a third email address for make subscriptions and receive information about the services that interest you.

In this sense, you can track all emails you receive . Since then, you will have the full assurance that, on your account for business use, only messages from your business contacts will arrive and the same goes for emails for personal use. While the third counts that you can exhibit on the Internet and thus, you will know that you need to protect it even more because there is a greater likelihood of receiving SPAM or suspicious emails .

Learn to recognize suspicious emails

Although in some cases it is very easy to recognize spam by its appearance, it is certainly sometimes difficult to find out . This is why your vulnerability could increase significantly. Accordingly, it is relevant to know detect these types of emails so as not to fall into a trap and eliminate them .

Here are the most important examples to consider when trying to recognize a suspicious email:

• If they inform you that you have won any type of lottery or raffle and that you will receive a prize, without having previously participated in any of these; it is a reason to be suspicious.
• If they indicate that some details of your bank account need to be confirmed immediately, you should also be wary of this.
• If they make you an offer interesting which is non-existent and unnecessary , it is recommended that you ignore it and delete this email.
• If they send you that you have some kind of unclaimed inheritance , using your personal data; You should also ignore this and even block the email address.

Other recommendations of interest

• Erase regularly web browser history and cache that you use to access your e-mail. Also, do not check the option to save Passwords .
• If possible, activate the spam filter in your email client . In this way, the risk of receiving unwanted messages will be reduced.
• It is recommended doing constantly backup copies of your email . With this, you will properly back up all the information and data that you manipulate through the platform.
• Do not provide your email address over the internet or to anyone else . In particular, if they are websites that are not legitimate or trusted.
• Make sure you install and use an antivirus program (able to detect phishing and these attacks) on the computer from which you manage your email account. Also, keep this software up to date for better management.
• Use the blind copy or Bcc option . With it, you will increase your privacy and security on the platform, because it