There are advanced software programs specially designed to secure or encrypt your email – but even if you don't have these on your computer, there are several practical steps you can take to enhance the security of your email.
- Only open emails and attachments from people you know
- Make sure you check the email address, as spammers are able to "spoof" a name from your address book into the sender line to trick you into reading the message
- Double-check all website addresses before clicking on the links, and ensure you verify that you are at the correct website before entering any details.
- Be extremely wary of any emails asking for confidential information; if in doubt, call the organization or individual personally to confirm that they made the request.
- Delete all suspicious or unfamiliar emails without opening them.
- Consider disabling the preview pane feature in your email program, which automatically opens the message to show a preview.
- If your email is not secure or encrypted, don't disclose sensitive information such as your bank account numbers, usernames, passwords, credit card details, etc.
- If you're making purchases on the Internet, reputable online merchants will have a secure page on which you can enter your credit card information – use these secured links instead of sending your details by unencrypted email.
- Send and receive email messages as plain text instead of HTML and RTF (rich text format). These two formats provide enhanced formatting such as fonts, colors, graphics, etc. but they also use code and invisible scripts that can be exploited by hackers or viruses.
- Scan ALL email attachments with an antivirus software, such as Norton AntiVirus, prior to opening. Even if you're receiving a file from a known sender, you do not know if their system has been infected with any malware.
- Use antivirus software that contains current virus definitions and make sure you keep all security patches and automatic updates as current as possible.