how to secure your email from being hacked

Introduction

A wide range of harmful consequences and disadvantages can lead their way to ass t your personal and professional well-being once your email is hacked. The major among them are Identity Theft and Fraud, Unauthorized Access, Loss of Privacy, and Malware Attacks. Moreover, if you use your email for business, a breach can lead to the exposure of confidential work data.
Once an email is compromised, a gateway for further attacks is opened. The following methods should be adopted to keep email safe.

Different ways to secure your email

Strong Password

Create a unique strong password that typically contains letters, numbers, punctuations, and symbols. It is advised to change your password periodically and not use the same password for multiple services and accounts.

To Dos
Make the new password stronger and different from the previous one.
Change the password regularly.
Use a phrase with no spaces between words.
Make it hard to guess.

To Don’t
Don’t use the same password for different accounts.
Don’t recycle your passwords.
Don’t use a single word.
Do not make it guessable, easy to remember, and simple.

Two-Factor Authentication

This is one of the most effective ways to secure your email account. 2FA requires a second form of authentication, adding an extra layer of protection. Once it is enabled, users are to provide a code, sent to their devices via SMS or by an authenticator app, or even through email or security key. This means even if a hacker manages to obtain the password, a second authentication factor is required to gain access.
This feature substantially reduces the risks of unauthorized access because it makes it harder to infiltrate an account.

Run Antiviral Program

The first action to take in the event of a hacked account is to run an antivirus program. Hackers often use malicious software and spyware to gain access to sensitive information. Running a scan would help to detect and remove any malicious software that may be infiltrated through phishing emails. The antivirus scan can identify hidden threats, quarantine infected files, and clean compromised areas. This ensures the removal of any residual malware that could further compromise the security.
The sooner you run an antivirus scan, the better.

Use a VPN

Using a Virtual Private Network on both a computer and a phone is a powerful tool to enhance privacy. A VPN functions by creating a secure and encrypted connection between a device and a remote server. This masks your IP address and encrypts all the data transmitted over the network. This has several key advantages protecting your email account and other online activities.

The encryption of the internet traffic ensures that any data being sent and received is unreadable to prying eyes. Even if the traffic is intercepted, data is virtually impossible to decipher. This type of security is especially crucial when using public WiFi networks which are notoriously vulnerable to cyberattacks.

Keep your device Up-to-date

To maintain the security of your device, it is crucial to keep it up-to-date. Security patches and updates to address vulnerabilities are regularly released by manufacturers and software developers against emerging threats. As hackers are continuously searching for weaknesses to exploit and to gain unauthorized access, by not installing these updates, you expose yourself to such hacks.
However, in some cases, updates are installed automatically, especially on newer devices. However, manual updates are still necessary for certain applications or settings that do not allow automatic updates.
Many cyber attackers target outdated versions of operating systems, for example, Java or Flash. These tools provide entry points for attackers. Keeping the systems updated minimizes the risks and ensures that software is equipped with the latest security defenses.

Setting up a Second Email

It is a practical strategy for enhancing online security. In this era of technology, every company and organization asks for your email address. While many of these organizations are trustworthy, others may have weak cybersecurity practices making your email vulnerable.
The creation of a second email account also serves as a shield for the primary email. By using it for critical activities, you can minimize the risks to your main email account. It also reduces the amount of spam your inbox receives. When the primary email is used for essential purposes only, it reduces the chances of it being shared with third parties.
Moreover, it acts as a buffer when managing privacy concerns. It maintains a level of anonymity online ensuring your personal information is protected from malicious actors.