Based on real life experiences here are some tips on how to keep your e-mail system secure and avoid being hacked.
- Use strong passwords for all of your mailboxes at least 12 characters in length, please note if you change your password the email clients will need the new password entered.
- If you are using Microsoft Exchange Online ensure your important mailboxes at least are using 2FA
- If you are using IMAP mailboxes provided by your web site provider ensure that you know the Control panel login or have a support number to ring in case of emergency
- If you are using IMAP mailboxes consider moving your e-mail system to Microsoft Exchange Online, there is a cost involved but you will be far more protected in this system than an IMAP system
- Ask your email provider if they have setup SPF and DKIM DNS records setup for your domain to provide email authentication security and prevent your email address being spoofed
- Use Microsoft Outlook for business emails, it’s part of the Microsoft Office for Business suite and also provides another layer of protection against malicious emails
- Install good security software on all your computers, we are recommending Kaspersky Standard which has an agent that scans all incoming and outgoing emails in Microsoft Outlook and other email clients
- If you are using Exchange Online, SharePoint or OneDrive for your business please talk to us about offline backups for these
