8 Tips to Keep Your Email Safe
Email continues to be an essential tool in our daily lives. It allows us to communicate with friends and family and manage important matters related to work or many other aspects of our lives.
However, it is also one of the main targets of cyberattacks. Therefore, understanding the type of email security we need and applying appropriate measures can protect us from problems such as data theft or unauthorized access to our accounts.
In this article, we share practical tips to improve the security of your email and how to know if an email is secure. We'll also introduce you to Qondar as a solution that can help you keep your data safe.
8 Ways to Make Your Email Safe
From Enthec, we explain 8 ways to make your email safe
1. Choose strong, unique passwords
A strong password is your first line of defense. Although it may seem an essential tip, many people still use easy-to-guess passwords, such as "123456" or "password". To create a strong password:
- Use uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Avoid using personal data such as your birth date or pet's name.
- Make sure it's at least 12 characters long.
- Consider using a password manager to generate and store passwords securely.
Remember to change your passwords periodically and never reuse the same one on different accounts.
You may be interested in our publication→, How to Manage Passwords and Business Credentials Easily and Securely to Avoid Online Threats.
2. Turn on two-step verification (2FA)
Two-step verification is an email security measure that provides an extra protection layer. This system requires that you insert a temporary code sent to your phone or generated by an application such as Google Authenticator in addition to your password.
This method dramatically reduces the risk of someone accessing your account, even if they manage to get your password Be sure to enable this option on as many accounts as possible, especially those that contain sensitive information.
3. Beware of suspicious emails
Knowing how to identify a secure email is key to avoiding scams such as phishing, a type of attack in which cybercriminals try to trick you into sharing sensitive information.
If you have any questions about an email that seems suspicious, follow these simple steps:
- Check the sender's address. Attackers often use addresses that mimic well-known companies' addresses but with slight variations. For example, instead of "support@business.com," it could be "support@bus1ness.com."
- Look at the links. Before you click, hover over the link to check where it takes you. If it doesn't match the official site, be suspicious.
- Look for spelling or grammar errors. Phishing emails often contain errors that are not found in an official message.
- Don't share sensitive information. No serious entity will email you to ask for your password or banking information.
Don't respond or click on links if you receive a suspicious email. Instead, contact the sender directly through its official channels.
4. Avoid public Wi-Fi networks to access your email
Connecting to public Wi-Fi networks without security can expose your email to attacks. If you need to use a public connection, consider these options:
- Use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your connection.
- Avoid accessing sensitive information while connected to these networks.
- Turn off the option to automatically connect to Wi-Fi networks.
While convenient, public networks pose a significant risk to your privacy. If you have no alternative, use your mobile data connection to perform essential tasks.
5. Regularly update your devices and apps
Software updates bring new features and fix vulnerabilities that attackers could exploit. Keep up to date:
- The operating system of your computer and phone.
- The email app or client you're using.
- The browsers you use to access your email.
Also, turn on automatic updates whenever possible to make sure you're protected from the latest threats
6. Make regular backups
Even if you take every precaution, there is always a risk of your account being hacked. Make regular backups of your important emails so you don't lose valuable information; you can use cloud services or save files on a secure external device.
Backups can help you recover your information in the event of an attack and are also helpful if you need to access your data offline.
7. Educate your household members about digital security
If you share devices with others, ensure everyone understands the importance of protecting personal information. Talk about the risks associated with opening suspicious emails or using weak passwords. Teaching safe practices to your family members can prevent mistakes that compromise everyone's safety.
8. Use advanced protection tools
Today, solutions such as Qondar can help you manage your email security more effectively. These tools detect potential threats and monitor whether your information appears in compromised databases. In this way, in real-time, you can detect threats such as compromised passwords for your professional or personal email and the breach that has caused the leak so that you can act before cybercriminals use them.
Qondar: Advanced protection for your emails and personal data
Qondar is a cyber-surveillance solution designed for individuals who want to keep their information safe. As a Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) tool, Qondar allows you to:
- Detect potential vulnerabilities before attackers exploit them.
- Receive alerts on potential security compromises in real-time.
- Monitor the presence of your data in suspicious sources or underground networks.
With Qondar, you can have peace of mind knowing that your email and personal information are protected from digital threats.
Protecting your email security isn't complicated, but it requires consistency and the right tools. From choosing strong passwords to identifying suspicious emails, every step you take shields your privacy.
If you're looking for a complete solution to protect your personal information, Qondar is the ideal tool.
Don't leave your security to chance: start managing your threat exposure with Qondar and always keep your data safe.
The Meaning of Shadow IT in Corporate Cybersecurity
When we talk about business cybersecurity, we can find concepts that, although they may seem complex, are essential to understanding today's challenges. One of them is Shadow IT. But what exactly is it, and why should you care as a company manager?
In this article, we'll explain this scenario and show you how to manage it to protect your organization.
What is Shadow IT?
Shadow IT refers to using applications, devices, services, or computer systems within an organization that the Information Technology (IT) department has not approved or monitored. While it may not sound serious, this phenomenon poses significant data security and control risks.
Simply put, Shadow IT appears when employees adopt external tools, whether to increase their productivity, facilitate teamwork, or fix immediate problems. However, because these solutions are not regulated or aligned with company policies, they can become an open door for cyberattacks or data leaks.
Shadow IT: meaning in the business context
When we discuss Shadow IT and its meaning in the business environment, we are not only discussing unauthorized technological tools. Its impact is more profound, as it affects an organization's ability to maintain centralized control over its infrastructure and the sensitive data it handles.
A typical example is a sales team using a free cloud storage application to share documents. While you intend to improve collaboration, you could risk sensitive customer data, as those platforms may lack robust security measures.
Examples of Shadow IT in companies
To better understand the scope of this phenomenon, here are some common examples of Shadow IT:
- Unauthorized messaging apps: Employees who use WhatsApp or Telegram to share corporate information instead of secure tools provided by the company.
- Cloud storage services: Platforms like Google Drive or Dropbox used without IT approval.
- Project management software: Tools like Trello or Asana that some teams adopt without consulting the technology team.
- Unregistered hardware: personal devices (mobiles, laptops or tablets) connected to the corporate network without adequate security.
These examples show how shadow IT arises from employees' need to resolve issues quickly without considering the long-term implications for the company's security.
The risks of Shadow IT in cybersecurity
Shadow IT may seem harmless, but its risks are real and varied:
- Exposure to cyberattacks: Unsupervised applications can contain vulnerabilities that attackers exploit to access the enterprise network.
- Lack of regulatory compliance: Many industries have strict regulations on data management. If an unauthorized tool stores sensitive data, it could result in fines or penalties.
- Data fragmentation: information dispersed across multiple applications makes it difficult to manage and protect.
- Loss of visibility: IT loses control over which tools are used and where critical data is.
- Data leakage risks: Employees could unintentionally share sensitive information through unsecured applications
How to prevent and manage Shadow IT?
The key to reducing the impact of shadow IT is not to ban its use entirely but tomanage it proactively. Here are some effective strategies:
- Encourage team communication: listen to employees' technology needs and offer secure, authoritative solutions that fit their daily work.
- Set clear policies: Define rules about using apps and devices and explain the risks associated with shadow IT.
- Invest in monitoring solutions: Use tools that provide visibility into the applications and devices connected to your network.
- Educate employees: Organize cybersecurity training sessions for the team to understand how their actions affect the company's security.
- Adopt continuous management solutions: Ensure the company has technologies capable of continuously identifying and mitigating risks.
You may be interested in→ Cybersecurity solutions that you should apply in your company.
Kartos: the ultimate solution to manage Shadow IT
At Enthec, we understand that managing shadow IT is a key challenge to protect your organization. We've developed Kartos, a solution designed specifically for companies seeking a comprehensive approach to Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM).
With Kartos, you can:
- Detect and identify data breaches caused by Shadow IT: our solution scours all Web layers to locate any corporate data leaks and detect the causative breach.
- Monitor threats in real-time: Gain complete visibility into vulnerabilities caused by shadow IT in real-time.
- Detect open gaps, including those caused by the use of Shadow IT
- Reduce risk and protect business continuity proactively: Disable vulnerabilities before they are used to design an attack.
If you are looking for a solution that detects threats and allows you to act proactively, Kartos is your best ally.
Shadow IT may seem like a quick fix for everyday problems, but its impact on enterprise cybersecurity is undeniable. The good news is that, with the right tools and strategies, you can transform this challenge into an opportunity to improve your organization's security and efficiency.
At Enthec, we're committed to helping you manage your threat exposure continuously and effectively. Contact us and discover everything Kartos can do for your company and take the next step towards more robust and reliable cybersecurity.