Even in 2024, email security remains crucial. Your email address is a digital representation of yourself, linking you to almost every activity in the digital age. It holds a significance comparable to your most important government identifications, playing a critical role in protecting your identity. Secure email gateway (SEGs) are a category of email security tools that filter emails as they enter or leave your email server. Emails are routed through the gateway service, and so typically require your MX-records to be changed, regardless of email platform.
Your email account is a prime target for malicious actors on the internet who seek to steal your information for their own gain. Hackers exist and continually attempt to access your data, making the risk of an attack very real and ever-present. It’s likely that you will face at least one attack in the near future.
To safeguard yourself, follow these email security gateway:
Use Strong, Unique Passwords
Complexity: Ensure your passwords are at least 12 characters long and include a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
Uniquenes: Avoid using the same password across multiple accounts. This limits the damage if one account is compromised.
Password Manager: Use a password manager to generate and store complex passwords securely.
Tips for Creating and Remembering Strong Passwords
Use Passphrases: Create a sentence or a phrase and then alter it slightly with special characters and numbers.
- Example:
P@$$W0rd!nTheSystem@6am
- Example:
Acronyms: Use the first letters of a sentence or a favorite quote, interspersed with numbers and symbols.
- Example: For “To be or not to be, that is the question”, use
TboNtB!t1tQ@
- Example: For “To be or not to be, that is the question”, use
Password Managers: Utilize a password manager to generate and store complex passwords. This way, you only need to remember one master password.
Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Added Layer of Security: MFA requires a second form of verification (like a code sent to your phone) in addition to your password.
Enhanced Protection: This significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access even if your password is compromised.
Be Wary of Phishing Attacks
Identify Suspicious Emails: Look out for emails from unknown senders, urgent requests for personal information, and generic greetings.
Verify Links and Attachments: Hover over links to see their actual destination and avoid clicking on suspicious attachments.
Education and Training: Regularly educate employees and users about the latest phishing techniques and how to avoid them.
Secure Your Devices
Regular Updates: Keep your operating system, email client, and security software up to date to protect against vulnerabilities.
Use Antivirus Software: Ensure you have reliable antivirus software that scans emails and attachments for malware.
Implement Email Encryption
End-to-End Encryption: Encrypt your emails to protect sensitive information from being intercepted and read by unauthorized parties.
Secure Communication: Use encrypted email services or add-ons to ensure that only intended recipients can access the content of your emails.
Monitor Email Activity
Regular Checks: Monitor your email account for any unusual activity, such as logins from unknown locations or devices.
Alerts: Set up alerts for suspicious activities to respond promptly to potential threats.
Use Email Security Gateway
Spam Filtering: Deploy email security gateways to filter out spam and malicious emails.
Threat Detection: These gateways can detect and block phishing attempts, malware, and other email-based threats.