| Today email security has become a main concern for | | | | spam filtering and antivirus solution, eliminating most of |
| businesses, due to the emergence of spam, viruses, | | | | unwanted email before it ever reaches your inbox. |
| phishing and identity theft. More than ever companies | | | | 5. Never reply or unsubscribe to spam emails |
| are feeling the need to secure their business | | | | If it happens that a few spamming mails were still able |
| information. The following tips bring more awareness | | | | to sneak in, make it a must to delete all of them. |
| about common emails threat and how to deal with | | | | Replying or attempting to unsubscribe to junk emails |
| them. However a lot of those issues can be resolved | | | | typically only informs the sender that they have found |
| with the support of an email hosting provider. | | | | an active email address to send more spam emails. |
| 1. Secure Passwords | | | | 6. Do not provide sensitive information |
| Email passwords must be at least 6 characters long, | | | | Never give out sensitive personal or account |
| however 8 or more characters are recommended. | | | | information to someone that asks via email unless you |
| Email passwords must be case sensitive and contain | | | | have verified the message's authenticity. Common |
| letters, numbers and can contain most upper ASCII | | | | email scams employ email messages and even |
| characters like "&" or "%"). As a general rule, | | | | websites that look official, but are in fact attempts to |
| secure passwords should contain a combination of | | | | steal your identity to commit fraud. Also beware of |
| uppercase and lowercase letters and at least one | | | | email hoaxes that not only spread misinformation, but |
| number or upper ASCII character. The password | | | | also bog down networks as unsuspecting users |
| should not be easy to guess as well. A common | | | | forward them like spam. Be wary of signing up to free |
| mistake is to use the company's name in the | | | | newsletters. Most bona-fide UK businesses adhere to |
| password. IT administrators normally have to setup the | | | | anti-spam guidelines and legislation, but some dubious |
| password policy on their own email server, however | | | | sites hosted elsewhere may not think twice about |
| some email hosting providers have predefined | | | | selling your email address to a spammer. |
| password policies for their customers. | | | | 7. Remember to logout |
| 2. Regular change of passwords | | | | Always logout of your email whether it is a web mail |
| It is recommended to change passwords at least | | | | or a POP mail after finishing using them, it is also |
| every 60 days particularly if your users currently use | | | | recommended to log-out whenever you have to leave |
| and manage emails on public computers. It is common | | | | your computer unattended for a considerable period of |
| that public computers are infected with spyware that | | | | time. |
| record every word that users are typing. Therefore a | | | | 8. Use up-to-date software |
| regular change of password is highly recommended. | | | | It is safer to use the most up-to-date Internet software |
| Some email hosting providers commonly provide | | | | (e.g. latest browser version of Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft |
| automatic change of password for their users. | | | | Internet Explorer, Google Chrome or Safari). More |
| 3. Use of Anti-Virus Software | | | | recent versions often offer enhanced security |
| Ensure that your email accounts are protected by | | | | protection. |
| industry leading anti-virus technology that is updated | | | | 9. Secure Networks |
| every hour against the latest virus threats. It is also | | | | In general corporate networks and Internet service |
| highly recommended to install and maintain good and | | | | providers (ISPs) are protected by network |
| well-respected anti-virus software on your computer | | | | administrators who watch for possible security breaks |
| to prevent infection from USB drives, CDs or DVDs | | | | and take action to shield users from hackers. Although |
| and so on. It is also better to scan all attachments with | | | | we may think the risk is less, it is recommended to use |
| a virus program before downloading/executing any, | | | | caution when using emails on any unusual network. |
| even if they come from someone you know. | | | | Use stations maintained by sources you trust, or ask if |
| 4. Use of Spam Filters Software | | | | the Internet terminal you are using is protected against |
| Spam-filters help avoiding spam emails to get into your | | | | security break-ins. |
| inboxes or flag spam emails as such so that you are | | | | 10. Use automatic reply only when needed. |
| aware of them. | | | | It is savvy to turn-off any automatic replies in your |
| Depending on the software and configuration some | | | | email client saying that an email has been read or |
| spam filters can automatically eliminate junk emails and | | | | received, because this confirms that the email address |
| block web bugs that track your activity and system | | | | is a good one. Spammers will then target your email in |
| information. Some email hosting providers offer these | | | | priority and flood your inbox with spam mails even |
| services as part of your package deal. Rackspace for | | | | more. |
| example guarantees its customers to get a "premium | | | | |