Do you use effective email security measures? You probably don’t click on every offer or weird link in an email, but that doesn’t mean your email is secure. If you’re not securing your email, you’re opening yourself (and your data) to exploits, phishing attempts, viruses, and malware through something you likely use every day. There’s no need to be too concerned, though. Using a security suite for your email can protect your data, deflect attacks, and keep viruses in check. It can help you identify security risks and take appropriate action in no time at all.
What is email security?
Email security is a software solution that protects your email from security threats, breaches, or attempted scams. It can recognize and provide layered protection against malware, threats, and unauthorized access. It could be as simple as a secure email gateway (usually used to secure an on-premises email system) or a more complex security software suite. Regardless of what type of system you’re using, consider implementing a robust security suite to guard against potential threats before they have the opportunity to damage your files or cause harm to your business.
Common email threats
Does it ever seem like every time you open your inbox, you find yourself stuck in a quagmire of spam, ads, and other dubious emails? You’re not alone. There are a series of common email threats affecting users every day. Clicking on the wrong link can sometimes lead to phishing attempts or unexpected viruses. In some cases, an email attachment may even hijack your browser. Understanding common email threats is the first step in bolstering email security. Here are a few of the most prevalent email threats today:
- Business email compromise (BEC) – these are targeted email attacks that seek to defraud an organization or cause some kind of damage.
- Ransomware – this is any kind of malware that encrypts a user’s data and holds it for ransom, often requiring some form of payment
- Malware – this is classified as any program that is designed to intentionally cause damage to your system. It’s typically spread by downloading, then installing infected software.
- Phishing – Phishing is a targeted attempt to obtain personal information (usernames, passwords, credit card info) by presenting itself as a reputable company.
- Spam – spam is basically junk mail for the digital age. It’s mostly just a nuisance but can often contain sketchy links or malware.
These threats are part of the reality of using email as a communication tool, but protecting yourself against them is easy with the right mix of attention-to-detail and security tools.
Email protection and defense
Protecting yourself from email-based threats isn’t always as simple as avoiding suspicious links. Fortunately, using the right kind of email security can guard you behind the scenes. The software analyzes emails for signs of phishing attempts or malware, filtering out scams in the process. It can also provide insight into the authenticity of the sender, potentially preventing business email compromise. Another critical feature that is often overlooked is protection against malicious URLs—and by extension, drive-by malware payloads—at the time-of-click. Real-time security and defense are useful for any business, especially in today’s environment of considerable online threats.
Advanced threat protection
Advanced threats from malware, phishing, or spam emails can cause significant trouble for your business. Bolstering your security with advanced threat protection can help. It’ll provide faster threat detection, seek-and-destroy potential exploits, filter out unknown malware, and guard against threats using sandbox analysis. When the system detects a potent threat from unknown files or URLs, it creates a virtual testing environment to determine its nature and how best to eliminate the threat. While doing so, it still allows you to access and use your email without causing interference. In this manner, email security is stronger and more efficient, allowing you to work and communicate in peace.
Fraud protection
Next to a full-scale data breach, email fraud can cause considerable damage to an organization. It’ll lower productivity, damage your reputation, and create unacceptable data loss. Brands and businesses primarily operate on trust between themselves, their suppliers, and their customers. Attenuating email fraud is vital to protecting a business. With advanced machine learning that analyzes both the header and content of an email for authenticity, email security can insulate you from issues at their source. You can also designate a high-profile user list to prevent possible breaches and use the software to analyze emails for potential fraud signs. Mixing a series of advanced security protocols and techniques, you can keep your emails safe and your business fully functional in the digital age.
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