How do you keep your email account safe from fraud?

1 Choose a strong password

One of the simplest and most effective ways to secure your email account is to use a strong and unique password. A strong password should have at least 12 characters, including a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols. A unique password means that you do not use the same password for other accounts or services. You should also change your password regularly and avoid writing it down or sharing it with anyone.

2 Enable two-factor authentication

Another way to enhance your email account security is to enable two-factor authentication (2FA). 2FA is a feature that requires you to enter a code or a token that is sent to your phone or another device, in addition to your password, when you log in to your email account. This adds an extra layer of protection against hackers who may have stolen your password. Most email providers offer 2FA as an option in their settings.

3 Beware of phishing emails

Phishing is a common type of email fraud that attempts to trick you into revealing your personal or financial information, such as your passwords, bank details, or credit card numbers. Phishing emails often look like they come from legitimate sources, such as your bank, your online retailer, or your email provider. They may ask you to click on a link, open an attachment, or reply with your details. However, these links and attachments may contain malware that can infect your computer or redirect you to fake websites that can steal your information.

To avoid falling for phishing emails, you should always check the sender's address, the subject line, and the content of the email for any signs of suspicious or inconsistent information. You should also never click on links or open attachments from unknown or untrusted sources. If you are not sure about the authenticity of an email, you should contact the sender directly using a different method, such as a phone call or a verified website.

4 Use a secure email provider

Not all email providers are equally secure and reliable. Some may have weak encryption, poor privacy policies, or frequent data breaches. To keep your email account safe from fraud, you should use a secure email provider that offers features such as end-to-end encryption, spam filtering, virus scanning, and data protection. You should also review the terms and conditions and the privacy policy of your email provider and make sure that they do not collect, share, or sell your personal data without your consent.

5 Update your software and devices

Keeping your software and devices updated is another important step to prevent email fraud. Software updates often include patches and fixes for security vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit to access your email account or your computer. You should always install the latest versions of your operating system, browser, antivirus, and other applications that you use to access your email. You should also update your devices, such as your phone, tablet, or laptop, and make sure that they have the necessary security features, such as a lock screen, a firewall, and a backup system.

6 Report and delete suspicious emails

Finally, if you receive any suspicious or fraudulent emails, you should report and delete them as soon as possible. Reporting them can help your email provider and the authorities to identify and stop the fraudsters and protect other users from falling victim to their scams. Deleting them can help you to avoid accidentally opening or responding to them and exposing yourself to fraud. You can report and delete suspicious emails by using the options provided by your email provider or by forwarding them to the relevant organizations, such as your bank, your online retailer, or your email provider.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?