Spams and Scams Can Spiral into E-mail Doomsday

The all-too-familiar "@" sign for frequent e-mail users.

The growing significance of the internet as a method of socializing and connecting, with e-mailing as one of the top forms of online communication, has made the art of written letters nearly obsolete. While approximately 20 percent of American households either have no Internet access or have never had the luxury of clicking the mind-boggling “send” button, the other 80 percent represent the frequent e-mailing, Google-searching, and Facebook-savvy majority.

These illuminating numbers speak volumes to the importance people place upon an activity as simple as e-mailing. Little do they know, their precious e-mail accounts are constantly vulnerable to scams, spams, and any other -ams.

Think about it for a second. What would this 80 percent of the Internet using demographic do if their e-mail accounts were hacked, as each crucial bit of information imbedded in numerous e-mail exchanges was procured? What would you do? Let’s avoid the hypothetical, and focus on the actual.

Keep a tight security of your e-mail activity to prevent computer crashes and procurement of personal information.

Here are the top 7 ways to ensure e-mail security:

1. Close your browser after logging out. There’s no need to entice hackers by providing your username (although it is a clever one).

2. Clear your browser cache, history and passwords. You know what they say, a clear history equals a clear mind. (See also our article on blocking browser history sniffing.)

3. Be mindful when using the “Reply All” button. You’re boss probably isn’t interested in your detailed encounter with your ex from college.

4. Never open e-mails titled, “Claim your new iPad!” or “You’ve won a big cash prize.” Come on, you’ve never been that lucky.

5. Differentiate phishing from actual content. Asking for your personal passwords and banking information is quite different than asking for your feedback on the bank’s new website look. There’s a reason they call it “confidential” information.

6. Perform virus scans for all e-mail attachments. You never know which viruses are lurking and hiding within unknown files…

7. Maximize on digital signatures. Not only will you demonstrate professionalism, but you’re proving that you are who you say you are, and making it easier to determine the validity of incoming mail.

Refresh your basic understanding of the online world: if you’re not quite confident on discerning spam from actual e-mails, read our related blog on the 8 ways to identify spam.

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