{"id":9498,"date":"2018-12-08T12:00:28","date_gmt":"2018-12-08T20:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/?p=9498"},"modified":"2021-08-06T04:09:01","modified_gmt":"2021-08-06T11:09:01","slug":"email-security-what-is-it-and-how-do-you-improve-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/email-security-what-is-it-and-how-do-you-improve-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Email Security: What Is It, And How Do You Improve It?"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is Email Security?<\/h2>\n

Email security is a term which describes collective techniques used to secure access to an email account and information contained in email messages. Email security is a fundamental technique for businesses and individual email users due to the widening landscape of dynamic attacks and vulnerabilities.<\/p>\n

Without appropriate email security etiquette, an email account is susceptible to scams, phishing, malware, eavesdropping, and unauthorized access.<\/p>\n

Aside from simply knowing what not to click on or download in an email message, there are numerous methods that you can employ to improve email security specific to your needs.<\/p>\n

Use end-to-end email encryption<\/h3>\n

End-to-end email encryption is a method of sending encrypted email messages that can only be read by the sender and recipient. It requires that both ends have a pair of cryptographic keys, a private key and a public key. The sender encrypts the message on their local device using the recipients public key. The recipient then decrypts the message on their device using their own private key.<\/p>\n

Email messages that are encrypted on both sides will prevent the transmission from being intercepted by a third-party. The problem with this is that configuring email encryption might be difficult and both the sender and receiver must utilize the same encryption system. If both sides are not using the same encryption system, the message is not secure once it is sent which makes it vulnerable to outsiders.<\/p>\n

Here is an email service that offers end-to-end encrypted email messages with both free and premium accounts:<\/p>\n

Tutanota<\/a>:<\/strong> Tutanota is an open source email service that allows you to send end-to-end encrypted email messages. They utilize very strong SSL encryption,\u00a0including\u00a0DNSSEC,\u00a0DANE,\u00a0DAMRC, and\u00a0DKIM.<\/p>\n

Use a VPN<\/h3>\n

A virtual private network (VPN) will block intruders from monitoring email content on your end. A VPN will protect the content of your emails while they are being transmitted.<\/p>\n

Use multi-factor authentication<\/h3>\n

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a method of confirming your identity using two or more factors. MFA is a great way to keep intruders out of your mailbox, even if they have your password because MFA adds an extra step or two to your basic login procedure that is unknown to potential intruders.<\/p>\n