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8 tips to SECURE your e-mails

Last updated on: January 8, 2013 15:26 IST

It should not come as a surprise to you to know that majority of Internet security scams are conducted through e-mails. Everyone is susceptible in this respect because everyone has to use e-mails for personal and professional communications. It is a great mistake to think that since you will not be attacked, therefore you can afford to be careless with your e-mails.

Presented here are the eight e-mail security tips that you should keep in mind.

1. Periodically change your password and create a strong password

The first step is to create a strong password. Use a combination of letters and alphanumeric characters to create your password. Also, do not forget to periodically change your password.

Keeping the same password for different web sites is also not reasonable. Imagine the delight of the hacker who cracks one password to find that the same password can be used to hack your other accounts too. To prevent the hacker from being happy, you should never discuss your password with anyone or send it across e-mails or text messages.

The safety of your password is in your hand and make sure that you are doing everything possible to maintain its sanctity. Using your name as a password is definitely not a good idea.

2. Never click on attachments or links from unknown e-mails

You should be extremely careful in clicking unsolicited links or attachments in your e-mail. This is very important. Unless you are absolutely sure of the credibility of the sender sending the attachment or the link, do not click it. You will find that sometimes hackers impersonate your bank or international agencies and ask for your password. Make sure that you do not fall for this trap. Nobody ever asks your password, not even your bank.

Courtesy: homeforgeeks.com

8 tips to SECURE your e-mails

Last updated on: January 8, 2013 15:26 IST

3. Do not fall in the lure of easy money

Many hacking attacks promise you a huge reward if you are sharing your bank account details with them. Remember that there is nothing called easy money or a sudden lottery. You simply do not earn money like that. You have to work hard to earn your bread.

4. Do not respond to e-mails in the spam folder

If you have e-mails in your spam folder, do not click on them unless you are absolutely sure that the e-mail has reached the spam folder by mistake. There is a reason why the e-mails have been marked as spam.

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8 tips to SECURE your e-mails

Last updated on: January 8, 2013 15:26 IST

5. Do not use cyber cafes

Try to avoid opening your e-mails from a cyber cafe. In case you are compelled to do so, then you should make sure that after you have done your act, you are deleting the browsing history from the browser. You can be easy target for hackers if you are using the public Internet cafes.

6. Do not use public Wi-Fi

Apart from not using cyber cafes, make it a point to not use public Wi-Fi as well. Public Wi-Fi can be extremely insecure because of the network sniffer programmes which can conveniently steal your user name and password.

8 tips to SECURE your e-mails

Last updated on: January 8, 2013 15:26 IST

7. Use good anti-virus and anti-malware programmes

There are several good anti-virus and anti-malware programmes available. Make sure that you are using the best services to offer extra protection to your system, whether you are browsing through a mobile device or a laptop.

8. Encrypt your e-mail

e-mail encryption is something enterprise companies do but it is suggested for individuals too. It's like using services like SSLPOST which would help your to encrypt your e-mail delivery so that it cannot be traversed when in process of delivery.