3 tips how to prevent email hacking

When your email address gets hacked, all of the accounts tied to it are at a huge risk. This includes your social media accounts, but also fragile bank account information. When an attacker hacks your email, they can request password resets on all associated accounts, opening the Pandora’s box, and causing a plethora of issues to you.

In this article, we will give you 3 tips how to prevent email hacking, making sure something that uncomfortable doesn’t happen to you. Read on to find out more.

Tip #1: Use Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is one of the best ways to protect your online privacy. Also known as multi-factor authentication, 2FA adds an extra layer of security by requesting additional information from the person trying to log in to an account.

Since we are talking about email, 2FA would include sending a text message to a phone number tied to your email account, that has an access code you need to enter to log in to your email inbox. In other words, a hacker will need to have your phone too, if he wants to steal your email address.

2FA is very powerful, so make sure to enable it whenever you have the option. All major websites offer 2FA for free, so don’t ignore the option. Yes, it is annoying when you have to enter/scan those codes every time you log in, but it will prevent a tone of headaches.

Keep in mind that hackers are getting better, and the best ones can bypass two-factor authentication. But, it is still one of the best ways to defend your email, so make sure you use it.

Tip #2: Change Your Passwords Often

Using one password for every account you have, including your email, is one of the worst things you can do for your Internet safety. If someone cracks that password, they will have every single one of your accounts and cause enormous problems for you instantaneously.

Because remembering dozens of different passwords is impossible, the best tactic is to use a password manager. There are many options available, premium and free, and you can start with something like LastPass as it has a solid free offer.

Password managers will let you create long and hard to breach passwords in a click, but will also suggest you to change passwords if you are using the same one for multiple websites. Furthermore, password managers remind you to change old passwords, making sure you stay one step ahead. So, even if someone gets ahold of your password, they will only compromise one of our accounts, not all of them. Nevertheless, make sure you change all other passwords whenever a breach happens because you never know.

Tip #3: Use Multiple Emails

Another common mistake is that people use one email address for everything. Again, this puts you at risk, and if an attacker gets a hold of your email, you’re done.

Therefore, use several email addresses. You can use Gmail that is on your name for anything that is important and related to you as a person – bank, social media accounts, bills, etc.

But, you can create another Gmail account, or use something more privacy-aware like Protonmail if you have sensitive information that you want to keep for yourself.

If you visit websites that might not feel the safest, but you have to visit them, make sure you don’t log in from your primary email tied to your bank account because you never know. Use your secondary account that isn’t tied to anything fragile, and you will be safe.

If you only need a temporary email just because you want to download a PDF, try services like 10MinuteMail that will let you get the files without sharing any private information.

Bottom Line: Security Is More Than Email

Although email hacking prevention is a good start, proper email hygiene is not enough if you want to prevent hacks. Unfortunately, there are so many threats and hackers lurking to take advantage, and that’s why we’re here to help.

BV Group Tech has a lot of experience working with people just like you, providing IT support for small businesses, which includes Office365 protection and email hacking prevention. Contact us now and reinforce your company’s security, making sure your private information stays yours and stays private.