It would be difficult to imagine running a business without communication. Email allows employees, partners, and customers to communicate easily, making it such an important tool. However, though email is critical to business success, it can also be a serious vulnerability if you’re not careful. Fortunately, protecting your inbox and network from cyber threats isn’t all that difficult as long as you’re following email security best practices.

Email Security Best Practices You Can Follow

When it comes to cybercrime, there’s no shortage of ways for a hacker to attack your network. For example, they could insert themselves between your device and your network connection to eavesdrop on your traffic and steal information. They could also attempt to steal your passwords by infiltrating a password database. However, email tends to be one of the most popular vectors of attack.

Up to 91% of cyberattacks begin with a spear phishing email, according to KnowBe4. If you want to avoid the possibility of initiating a cyberattack from your inbox, we have you covered. Improve email security by following these email security rules:

Use Strong Passwords

It’s not uncommon advice, but there’s a reason why people always say to use strong passwords. You would be surprised by the number of people who use passwords like “123456” or “Password1.” Simple passwords like these make it incredibly easy for hackers to break into your account.

There are a variety of reasons someone may choose a weak password over a strong one. But, more often than not, it’s because strong passwords are harder to remember. If you’re worried about forgetting your password, you can use a password manager to store your passwords securely.

Change Passwords Regularly

It may be inconvenient, but in addition to creating strong passwords and using MFA, you should also be regularly changing your passwords. The longer you use a password, the more vulnerable it becomes. It’s recommended that you swap out passwords every 90 days. This is one of the easiest practices you can follow to bolster your email security.

Enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA)

A strong password is great, but sometimes it’s not enough in today’s cybersecurity landscape. Take your security even further with MFA. This is a solution that creates an additional layer of defense against unauthorized access attempts by requiring two or more forms of credentials. According to Microsoft, MFA can block 99% of account compromise attacks.

First, it asks for login information. Once that information is entered, the user is asked to submit another identifier. This may be something like a text message with a specific code sent to the user’s phone or something more complex, such as an authentication key. Unless the cybercriminal has access to this additional credential, they won’t be able to access your email account.

Don’t Open Email Attachments Until After They’re Scanned

Most business email accounts are used to send and receive messages. However, occasionally someone may send you an email with a file attached to it. If you receive an email with an attachment, be careful before you open it. The risks of opening an unknown email attachment should not be taken lightly.

Email attachments can contain all sorts of malware like ransomware, spyware, viruses, and more. If you open the file, it could activate the malware and cause your device to become infected. You should always scan email attachments with an antivirus tool before you open it.

Beware of Phishing

Phishing is a form of social engineering and the most prevalent type of email cyberattack. This type of attack is specifically created to trick victims into performing an action or revealing information. Common telltale signs of a phishing attack include grammatical errors, mismatching URL domains, and call-to-actions that threaten a negative consequence.

An example of such an email would be a fraudulent bank notification. The email may tell you something like your password for your online account has been compromised and if you don’t follow the link to change it, you could lose access to your account.

If you run into a suspicious-looking email you suspect could be a phishing scam, report it to your IT department. They can run the email through a few tests to verify if it is safe or not. If you don’t have an IT department, a managed service provider (MSP) can help you verify the message.

Stay Secure With Third Wave Innovations

If you’re concerned about email security, reach out to Third Wave Innovations. We are an industry-leading security provider dedicated to keeping your business safe from cyber threats. Our team not only sets up your cybersecurity, but we also help train your employees so they can be an active line of defense. As your partner, we can customize our solutions to fit the unique needs of your business.