Email Cybercrime

Article by
Ms. Lakshmi A L
Assistant Professor Department of BCA
NCMS

Email travels over the internet, making it susceptible to potential intruders. In the electronic realm, email has evolved into a cornerstone of global communication, underscoring the increasing significance of email security.

Common Email Cyber Threats

1. Phishing Attacks: A phishing attack is when cybercriminals try to trick you into revealing personal or sensitive information, such as passwords and credit card numbers.

2. Malware and Attachments: Emails may contain malicious attachments or links that, once clicked, can infect your device with malware, which can lead to data theft or other malicious activities

3. Spoofing: It generally refers to the act of imitating or mimicking something, often with the intent to deceive or create a false impression. In the context of technology, email spoofing involves sending emails that appear to be from a legitimate source but are actually from a different source.

4. Account Compromise: Weak passwords and poor security practices can result in unauthorized access to user email accounts, allowing cyber criminals to send malicious emails from user accounts.

Overcoming email cybercrime

1. Strong passwords: Always use strong, unique passwords to your email accounts. A strong password typically includes a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters(User should not use their date of birth or any ID proof number or phone number or any data available in their government ID proofs)

2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication(2FA):2FA adds an extra layer of security by requiring you to provide a second form of verification in addition to your password. This can be a code sent to your mobile device or generated by an app.

3. Educate yourself: Learn to recognize phishing email. Be cautious about clicking on a links or downloading attachment from unknown or suspicious sources. Hover over links to see the actual URL before clicking.

4. Verify senders: Double-check the sender’s email address. Be wary of email addresses that closely resemble legitimate ones but have small discrepancies.

5. Regularly Update and Patch Software: Keep your email client, operating system and anti-virus software up to date. Cybercriminals often exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software.

6. Encrypt Sensitive Emails: If you’re sending sensitive information via email, consider using email encryption services to protect your data.

7. Stay Informed: Keep up to date with the latest email security best practices and threats. Cybercriminals continually evolve their tactics, so awareness is key.

8. Report Suspicious Activity: If you receive a suspicious email, report it to your email service provider.