A Secure Email Gateway (SEG) is a service that protects an organization’s employee’s emails by filtering malicious content and following the organization’s policy. An email will go through the SEG before it delivers to the organization’s email server and then to the employee’s workstation. Since a SEG costs a company extra, the consumers expect the SEG to catch all malicious software; that is not always the case. A report called Email Security Risk Report 2023 by Egress reported that almost 100% of cyber security experts are stressing about their email security because over half of phishing attacks pass through it.
A phishing attack is a cybercriminal who sends a counterfeit message with a link that resembles a reputable company’s website, so the SEG does not always filter out this malicious attack. Cybercriminals will use a company partner’s email address to send a phishing attack because sometimes the SEG cannot distinguish whether the email address is malicious. Also, cybercriminals will use an artificial intelligence tool such as ChatGPT to write a phishing attack or add a video. The Email Security Risk Report 2023 reported that phishing attacks lead to an account takeover, which is the worst-case scenario. A few phishing attack warning signs are a sense of urgency, spelling errors, and a mismatched domain, so if you look for these warning signs, your chance of avoiding a phishing attack will increase.
Another way in which email security can be compromised is through malware. Malware is software designed to infect a computer or network to steal information or cause damage. Malware can be spread through email attachments, links, or even through the body of the email itself. Once malware is installed on a computer, it can be used by an attacker to gain access to sensitive information or to launch further attacks.
Email security can also be compromised through weak passwords. Many people use simple or easily guessable passwords, such as their name or birthdate. This makes it easy for attackers to access email accounts and other sensitive information. To protect against these threats, several steps can be taken to improve email security. One of the most important is to use strong passwords. Passwords should be at least eight characters long and include a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special symbols. Passwords should also be changed regularly, and different passwords should be used for other accounts.
Another way to improve email security is to be cautious when opening attachments or clicking links. If an email looks suspicious or is from an unknown sender, it should be deleted or reported as spam. It is also important to keep software updated, as many updates include security fixes to protect against known vulnerabilities.
Encryption is another essential tool for improving email security. Encryption is encoding information so authorized parties can only read it. This can be used to protect sensitive information, such as credit card numbers or personal identification information, from being intercepted or stolen. In addition to these steps, it is essential to be aware of the risks associated with email and to take appropriate action to protect against them. This includes being cautious when sharing personal information online, using secure connections when accessing sensitive sites, and keeping antivirus software current.
All in all, email security is a crucial issue that needs to be addressed by everyone who uses email. By improving email security, an organization can protect itself from the risks associated with email and ensure its personal and sensitive information remains safe and secure. Partners Plus, Inc. members will receive expert recommendations about how to have a secure email.
About Partners Plus, Inc.
Managed IT Services That Do the Work for You
Partners Plus, Inc. began in 1991 as an outsourced IT department after working as the Director of Programming and a Consultant for six years. For 30+ years now, we have been 100% committed to ensuring small- and medium-sized business owners have the most reliable and professional virtual CIO in the Delaware Valley. Our dedicated team of professionals will solve your IT nightmares quickly and without confusion on your part.
Our customer-specific memberships deliver your needs without overstepping your budget boundaries. From cloud services and data backups to ransomware prevention and Dark Web monitoring, Partners Plus is here to work with you and your expert company, dependable outsourced IT support and security.
Partners Plus has locations and services in the following areas:
Managed IT Services in Philadelphia – Managed IT Services in Delaware – Managed IT Services in Malvern
