Getting hacked can feel a lot like something that happens to you completely without your say or participation. And, for the most part, that’s exactly what it is: a malicious successful attempt at breaking into your computer or smartphone and gathering private data right from under your nose. But there are times when you could be making things easier for hackers — when your curiosity leads you to open up emails that should be deleted, for example. Without warning, a hacker can then easily gain entry to your files and take financial info and personal info like your social security number. The best way to stop hackers is by preventing them from getting into places like your email to begin with. This is the easiest way to prevent your email from being hacked, according to experts.
First, understand how to spot phishing fraud
Phishing is the act of sending people emails and texts that look like they’re from perfectly legit companies — or that even attempt to put a bit of scare into the reader. If you’re being told the government has its eye on you and you need to click on a certain link to sort out your taxes, you may be more likely to respond or click on links in an effort to keep yourself safe. And that’s just the thing that hackers are counting on.
“Scammers can use email to find their targets; they frequently send emails asking for personal information that can be used to impersonate you, including your social security number or banking details,” said Alex Alexakis, the founder and CEO of PixelChefs. “Only send confidential information through email if you are sure of the sender.”
If you’re using Gmail or Outlook, Alexakis said you’ll notice a red or yellow notification at the top of the email alerting you that it might be spam or a phishing scheme. “Verify the return email address,” he advised. “Is the person utilizing a free email account while claiming to represent a particular company? Verify the domain name to ensure it corresponds to the firm’s domain name.”
It’s really important to be able to start to spot phishing attempts and to NOT follow those links to a land of Malware.
Next, be sure 2FA is supported when registering for a new email service
“Not every email provider offers 2FA,” Alexakis said. “Therefore, when signing up with an email service, inquire about the security levels provided, such as 2FA, which can be enabled by SMS (less secure) or an app like Google Authenticator or Authy.”
The key advantage of 2FA is that it adds an extra layer of protection, such as sending a text message with a one-time password to a smartphone, according to Alexakis. “Ostensibly, a new login can only be finished by the person with your device. It can also alert you when someone tries to log into your email account to list a few things.”
Hacking attempts are nothing short of frightening. But knowing what to look for when using your email and how to protect your email are two ways you can keep yourself safe so that you aren’t a victim.
