Is Your Email Account Secure?

September 26, 2012 by Ed Becker

When sending sensitive reports and files to your clients, family, attorney or CPA, are you comfortable that your data is secure?  If you answered NO or MAYBE, then you should act now to implement a safer method. You must go above and beyond in safeguarding your email account and the data you send or you could be liable.  Sending someone’s social security number through email in an unprotected format could leave you liable. Make sure you use common sense when sending anything confidential.

Here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Always use complex passwords and change them every 30 days.
2. Use backup email accounts for any solicitations (extra accounts so that spam and other new advertisements don’t clutter your primary email account).
3. Do not share your log in info with anyone
4. Do not respond to spam. Sometimes the sender is phishing for a live email account and responding (even with a ‘remove’ request) let’s them know your account is active.
5. Add junk mail that gets through your spam filters to “junk” sender list
6. Use secure email software which can validate the user and make them sign up to receive authorized emails. There are low cost and even no cost options.
7. Set up a secure portal when transferring data files.

There are many other email tips that can be located on the Internet. It’s worth taking the time to do a few searches and find the ones pertinent to your company’s situation and budget.  I urge you to take action today…before it is too late.