Irrespective of the security controls in place for large enterprises, small business or telecommuters, there’s usually one particularly porous component which seems an irresistible force of evil: incoming email!

We all use email to sign up for websites, transact payments and so much more. However, when asked to supply sensitive information in our emails, we are exposing ourselves to the risk of data theft. What’s more, you stand to lose so much more than an email account if hackers get their hands on your vital information.

So, here are our Do’s and Don’ts of email security.

In any given day, an average worker receives 85 emails, 10 of which will be spam, 64 are bulk mail, and a mere 11 will be important enough to be read immediately.

An employee spends approximately one minute trying a response to each of the messages whilst attempting to continue working on other tasks. The distraction of this multitasking, without carefully considering the emails that they open, allows malware and other such threats to slip in and infect an entire system.

Don’t be tricked into giving away confidential information

Avoid responding to emails or phone calls requesting confidential company information including employee information, financial results or company secrets. Legitimate organizations will never speculatively ask for such information.

It’s easy for an unauthorized person to call us and pretend to be an employee, one of our business partners or even IT support; don’t fall for it! Stay on guard and ensure your computer is protected.

Don’t use an unprotected computer

When you share sensitive information from a non-secure computer, for example in an Internet café or a shared machine at home, you put the information you’re sharing at risk.

Ensure both your work & home computer are running the latest approved security patches, antivirus and firewall.

Try not to use public Wi-Fi for any sensitive operations such as banking, etc.

Lock your computer and mobile phone when not in use

It’s good practice to lock your computer when you’re not using it. Others could see you working on important documents, containing important company information. This simple act ensures your data and contacts are safe from prying eyes.

Stay alert and report suspicious activity

Always report any suspicious activity to IT. An integral part of their job is to stop cyber-attacks and to ensure your data is neither lost nor stolen.

Be cautious of suspicious emails and links

Don’t let curiosity get the best of you! Always delete suspicious emails and links, without opening them. Opening or viewing these emails and links could compromise your computer and create unwanted problems without your knowledge. Remember, if something looks too good to be true, it probably is. It’s better to be safe than sorry and risking putting computer safety at risk.

Don’t install unauthorized programs on your work computer

Malicious applications often pose as legitimate programs like games, tools or even antivirus software. Their intention is to infect your computer or network and compromise you or your company. Remember; there is rarely such as thing as a free lunch, and the same applies to applications often found on the internet or offered on promotional emails.