Email Security

Never use company/corporate emails for personal preferences

Employees should avoid making use of company emails to register for personal hobbies, preferences and habits such as ecommerce and entertainment sites. These sites are prone to breaches and attackers regularly scan these sites for email addresses.

An attacker with your corporate email can send fake messages impersonating you and even gain access to the organizations internal network through your email as a pivot point.

Never click the “unsubscribe” link in spam emails

If a spam email does end up your inbox, and you open up the message, the last thing you want to do is click the unsubscribe link. You might think it’s sensible to prevent further emails from the messenger, but that’s not the case. Hackers will place them in emails in an attempt to trick you. Delete the emails or mark as spam.

Never access emails from public WiFi

Avoid checking your email when you’re on public WiFi, such as when you’re at a coffee shop, airport, or city park. It can be tempting to want to be connected everywhere you go, but unfortunately, public WiFi can be extremely insecure.

Hackers use programs called “network sniffers” that monitor all of the wireless data flowing through a specific network, and then analyze that data for personal and important information. For example, your private information such as your username and password..

Never open unexpected attachments or links

Sometimes you’ll receive phishing emails that contain file attachments. If an unknown source specifically tells you to open a file attachment, you can likely bet that there is something malicious going on.

Never share your password, even with co-workers and managers

It is individual and ensures that only you are responsible for your actions(accountability).

A secure password is practically impossible to guess without previous insight. Hackers use specific password-guessing software that runs through millions of combinations – the more complex the password, the more time it takes for the software to decode it.

Regularly change email passwords (every 90days) but if you suspect a breach change immediately and contact Manitoulin group of companies IT team.

Use two-tier authentication(2FA)

This is a surefire way to add an extra layer of security to your inbox. Major email clients have the 2FA option built-in, so you can easily enable it. It makes hacking much more difficult for cybercriminals as even if a hacker manages to retrieve the password to your account, 2FA will block them by requiring a code texted to your phone.(Contact Manitoulin IT department to help in activating 2FA for your email).

Its important to keep your eyes peeled for suspicious messages. Phishing is a common method used by hackers to take advantage of a recipient. These emails can goad recipients into sending the hacker money or their personal information.

Learn how to recognize phishing: – Messages that contain threats to shut your account down
– Requests for personal information such as passwords or Social Security numbers
– Words like “Urgent” – false sense of urgency
– Forged email addresses
– Poor writing or bad grammar

Use anti-virus software on your local machine, and make sure it’s kept up-to-date with the latest virus definitions