If you want to build a successful business in the modern era, it is important for you to prioritize your digital security. Even though you are working very hard to be as productive as possible, hackers are working just as hard to get around your digital security measures. One of the most common portals of entry is through your email. While you rely on your email to carry out your daily operations, you need to make sure that you protect the confidential information of your business, your employees, and your clients. What are a few of the most common email security threats? Do not hesitate to reach out to a professional who can help you improve your digital security.
1. Poor Password Hygiene
Without a doubt, one of the most common email mistakes that users commit is poor password hygiene. While you need to make sure that you have passwords on individual email accounts to keep them safe, you also need to encourage your employees to practice good password hygiene. What does this look like?
This means encouraging them to use strong passwords that have at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, and one special symbol. Then, you need to encourage them to change their passwords regularly. Changing passwords once per quarter is usually a good idea. Then, make sure they do not reuse the same passwords too frequently. This is a key digital security measure for all online accounts, including email.
2. Not Deleting Old Accounts
As an employer, you need to make sure that you keep your company as safe as possible, and this means giving as few people access to your files as possible. Make sure your employees only have access to the files they need to do their jobs, and once they leave the company, make sure to delete old accounts. Unfortunately, many companies do not take the step of deleting old email accounts. If you do not delete unnecessary accounts, you simply have an extra portal of entry to your company. Do not let this happen. Make sure you get rid of your old accounts and remove this unnecessary risk.
3. Ransomware Attacks
Ransomware attacks are a major issue across all industries, and they are particularly problematic for companies with time-sensitive issues. There are a few ways that a ransomware attack can get uploaded to the system, and one way is through a malicious email. You need to educate your employees not to open any suspicious emails. If there is an email with an unusual attachment, there is a chance that it could be a ransomware virus. This virus could cause your business to grind to a halt. Make sure that you back up your files to protect against this threat, but also keep an eye on email accounts and do not open unusual files.
4. Phishing Attacks
Speaking of digital security issues, another major email problem is phishing attacks. This is an attack that takes place when someone tries to pose as an authority figure, such as a manager or a government regulatory agency. Then, they try to convince an employee to surrender their login credentials remotely. You need to tell your employees that you will never ask them to share their username and password remotely, including via email. That way, if someone asks for it, they will know that it is a malicious individual. Show them examples of phishing attacks, and make sure they know how to avoid falling victim to them.
5. Leaving the Computer Open
Finally, while this might sound unusual, one of the most common mistakes that employees make with email digital security is leaving the computer open. While it can be annoying to have to log in to the computer again, it is important for safety. If an employee leaves their computer open and walks away, they could end up giving someone access to all of their files, including their emails. Someone could download or print those files and walk off with them. Do not let this happen. Make sure that your employees lock their computers when they walk away. That way, they reduce the chances of someone stealing their files.
Make Sure Your Email Is Kept Safe
These are just a few of the most common email security problems that companies might encounter. You have a lot on your plate, but it is important not to overlook digital security issues. You depend on your internet access to help you stay productive and on target, and if you don’t think about your digital security, you could end up giving a malicious individual access to your network. If you are having a difficult time trying to figure out how to optimize your digital security, do not hesitate to reach out to someone who can help you protect your email from harm.
