We all are familiar with the concept of not sharing sensitive material on social media especially when our privacy is enabled to ‘private’ or ‘only me’. In comparison to social media, emails seem to be more secure, and they are up to some levels. However, with regard to the privacy concerns our emails could be the next happening thing (sensation) or can go viral. Therefore, they need to be protected. So, here are my seven tips on how to secure your emails:
1.Use a good mail provider
We all know that giant main providers like Google, Microsoft and Yahoo share our data with government and other entities. But our concern regarding sharing effects with government is not so important if our work is according to the law. Also, they are the best service providers. If you are choosing third-party email provider check their privacy policy, firewall system, and server location/security.
2.Use a strong password
Often, we ignore the instruction of our mail provider while we choose our passwords. But believe me that if we follow the instruction of mail provider we can create strong passwords that cannot be hacked easily. Make sure your password cannot be guessed easily. Don’t keep your password with the name of your lover, family members, your pet or such kind of things. You give out your email address all the time; it’s not really a private information. Remember once your mail is accessed with your password it can be used for anything. It can ruin your career too. It is said that the longer password the better protection it will give.
3.Safe Login
If you often check your mail from a public library or café or any public places, make sure you are logging in into safe browsing like most of the modern browser provide you. Like Mozilla Firefox have private browsing option and Google Chrome comes up with ‘incognito window’ option. So, if you login from there your password will not be saved even in the case of an emergency shutdown. Make sure you log out every time you logged in. Also, lock your computer even in office because it might be used by your co-workers with a deliberate intention of fraud or causing harm which may hamper your career.
4.Hide mail address
We give our e-mail address everywhere we go; in programs/events where we provide e-mail for registrations. Some people even use their e-mail address in comments section and forums. Try avoiding that because that is the best place for scammers to get your e-mail address and make you a victim of their scams.
5.Avoid scams
Do you receive emails that start with, “Dear user, your email provider sent you a notification informing security breach, please click this link to reset your password?†If yes, do not click those links because those are e-mails which are designed to mislead you to a fake page and steal your password. Do not click on any links or download any files if it is not from someone who you know well.
6.Use mail encryption
The best idea would be not to share sensitive information in e-mails but in case if you do, make sure you are using encrypted emails. In such cases what you can do is write the information and click ‘save as’ from your word processing application such as MS word, note and so on and then encrypt it into zip file and send it via e-mail.
7.Use of two-factor authentication
Today’s modern mail provider provides you the facility of two-factor authentication which will ask you a second auto generated code which is sent to your mobile phone every time you login. This feature will give you almost full security and you will know when someone is trying to access your e-mail.
If you think you are lazy enough to follow these tips, just imagine the situation when your data is leaked and is viral on the internet. Once hacked, the troubles are unimaginable. Hence, follow these simple tips and secure your privacy in a virtual world.
By Ajay Pandey
