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Writer's pictureFirst Technology

Simple Steps to Improve Email Security

Emails are undeniably one of the most common forms of digital communications used today, especially in professional settings. To ensure you avoid becoming the victim of an online cyber attack, First Technology, in partnership with Microsoft and BUI, has assembled a few essential tips to help you navigate the intricacies of email security.



Click with Caution


Never click on misleading links or download unfamiliar attachments, especially the ones that require you to verify or confirm any of your login credentials or bank account details. Trusted senders adhere to very strict data security protocols and will never ask you to confirm these details over an email.



Beware of the Sender


If you don't recognize the email address that a message is coming from, proceed with caution. When you receive an email message, check the sender information carefully. Do not trust the name that is displayed. By clicking on “reply”, and physically looking at the whole email address e.g. abc@domainname.com, one can verify the sender’s email address.


Free email accounts are literally less than a dime a dozen. Anyone can get an address from Hotmail, Gmail, with your name in it. It could be an address that looks like yours, but with a dot instead of a hyphen, or a number instead of a letter.



Double-check and verify


When one receives an attachment containing bank account details to where payments are to be made, check the email address against your address book to confirm that the email address is correct. Also if you receive an instruction to change a bank account number, contact the organisation by phoning the number you have on record, or from their website, or an old account, but never dial the number on the current invoice. Phoning two different individuals is advisable, rather look silly than end up out of pocket.



Anti-phishing tactics


Definitely install an anti-phishing toolbar. Most popular internet browsers can be customized with an anti-phishing toolbar. Such toolbars run quick checks on websites that you’re visiting and compare them to lists of known phishing sites.



Best Password Practices


Get into the habit of changing your online account passwords regularly, such as banking accounts, email accounts, etc. Additionally, try not to use the same password on different locations, e.g. for your mail as well as your online shopping accounts. The first thing a cyber attacker will do once they’ve cracked one of your passwords is to check to see if they can gain access to your other accounts with the same password.


Lastly, do not use known words, especially common English words, as your password. Use a combination of words, letters, special characters and upper/lower case. Do not use well-known combinations such as “P@$$w0rd” as these are easy to crack.


Automate and Streamline Protection Efforts with BUI’s Sendmarc


BUI’s Sendmarc automates the process of protecting you from email phishing and spoofing attacks. Our tools enable you to easily understand who is sending email on your domain, where the threats lie, and the steps needed to authorise senders. By easily being able to identify and authorise legitimate senders, you can keep your brand secure without risking email deliverability.



Protect yourself


First Technology, in strong partnership with Microsoft and BUI, can provide you with robust domain security solutions that will ensure you don’t become a victim of cyberattacks. To learn more, please get in touch with Jolene Strydom on jolenes@firsttechnology.co.za or call us directly on 021 525 7000.


LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/first-technology/


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