Some people think of cyber-attacks as some sort of events that take place from time to time and on certain occasions. In reality, it is so much the opposite; malware actors are working constantly to break into data centers and hack important, mostly sensitive personal information.
One of the last examples includes the data breach at an American telecommunication company, AT&T, as sources report, talking about the data of more than 70 million customers. Similar attacks happen all the time, and targets are those big companies that hold valuable user information, like Microsoft and Google.
We didn’t mention those two companies randomly, but rather based on the fact that their email services are vastly used, and people share loads of information via email: Resumes, financial data, and even health reports. It’s time to rethink how we understand the importance and seriousness of email providers and take relevant measures to protect our data.
This is a difficult task, because of two main reasons: First, Gmail, Outlook, and other email providers that collect personal data provide excellent user experience, and it’s hard to say goodbye to them. Second, since email is a means of communication, even when you start using a more secure option, there is no guarantee that people to whom you send information have done the same.
Logging In Via Email: You Have Alternative Options
We all know how frustrating it can be to fill out those forms of registration every time creating an account on an online platform. Instead of typing our personal information manually, many of us prefer to just sign up via email, which means that the platform (no matter what kind) gains access to some of the information existing on your email account. Depending on the type of the platform, it may collect only name and email address, or go even further and get access to your emails or folders and files stored in the cloud.
It’s easy and comfortable to sign up via an email account, but it’s not serious to use your primary email account, because you may grant access to the third parties to some personal information. So, what to do? If you choose other email providers like iCloud email, consider this problem solved.
iCloud allows its subscribers to create temporary email addresses for such instances and never use the personal address. This is a great and safe option which is so much in demand, especially today when people are involved in many digital activities and they have dozens of accounts here and there.
Moreover, for some platforms, it may be compulsory to create an account. As an example, we can observe gaming websites, particularly those offering casino games. On such platforms, people engage in online gambling for real money offers, which means they need to have a verified account for financial transactions. Even if you want to register not a temporary email address, just create one only for online activities, and use it, keeping the personal email for personal communication only.
Your Email, Your Fortress
Most of us use our email for everything. Important documents, private conversations, the whole nine yards. But have you ever stopped to think about how secure that really is? Would you leave your house keys under the welcome mat? Probably not! The same logic should apply to your email. Big free email providers like Gmail are incredibly convenient, but they’re also big targets for hackers due to their massive user base. That’s where alternative email providers can come in.
Think of them like upgrading your security system. Look for options that prioritize strong encryption, which basically scrambles your messages so only you and the recipient can read them. Consider zero-knowledge architecture, meaning that even the email provider itself can’t access your private data. It’s the ultimate level of privacy. Finally, check for two-factor authentication, which adds a layer of security to your login – like having a guard dog at the gate of your email castle! Trust me, it’s always better to spend some time learning these and other important safety tips than to struggle after the bad consequences that cyberattacks may bring.
Don’t Be a Spam Magnet
Free email accounts, while tempting, have a downside: they often come with a side of spam. It’s like inviting a bunch of shady salespeople to your front door. Annoying, and potentially risky if you accidentally click on a bad link. Here’s how to fight back: Be choosy about where you share your free email address! Don’t just give it out willy-nilly, or it could end up on shady marketing lists.
Some secure providers offer the option to generate temporary email addresses, perfect for sign-ups on websites you don’t trust. These are like having a guest house for your inbox! And finally, unsubscribe aggressively, remembering that the fewer newsletters and promotions you get, the less likely you are to accidentally click on something that could harm your digital security.