Despite the fact that instant messaging applications are becoming an increasingly popular means of communicating online, e-mail continues to be actively used. Approximately 270 billion emails were sent in 2017 and this number is projected to reach 320 billion by 2021. Therefore, email security continues to be a pressing issue.
Why is this causing so many problems?
Even though you need a username and password to access your account (although Yahoo is trying to increase security by allowing you to replace your regular password with an application-based key), email remains one of the least secure methods of communication. It is often compared to sending a postcard - anyone can read the contents of the message.
Email accounts are actually hacked like thismany times that it can cause a certain amount of panic. There is even a website online where you can see if your email has ever been hacked.
Email accounts are not actually private property. This is due to the fact that it is not a direct connection, but rather goes through several intermediaries. A single e-mail message is transmitted through multiple servers, including ISPs as well as a mail client, with multiple copies of the message stored on each server and subsequent copies on both the sender's and recipient's computers. Therefore, even if the letter is deleted, many copies of it remain available.
E-mail today is beginning to show that this technology is obsolete. The first such message was sent back in 1971, and the various security flaws in such a transmission are enough to move users to more modern, alternative means of communication. However, with some modifications, it can be more secure. Online email protection can be done in one of the following ways.
Password protection
The first weak point, of course, is the password. If it includes the characters '1', 'P@ssw0rd' and 'x', which are among the top 10 security codes, it's no surprise that some accounts are easily hacked. Users also fall into the trap of using the same logins and passwords for multiple accounts, and this canresult in one hacker being able to break into multiple accounts.
Be sure to choose longer and stronger passwords. This can be helped by the use of software that can automatically generate them. Also, be aware that relying on passwords alone is not secure, and be sure to enable two-factor authentication. Ideally, this should be done through the app and not just through SMS, so as not to fall victim to a fake SIM card.
It is worth noting that Yahoo's international service provides users with the ability to completely remove the password and one-time codes on demand through a mobile application to improve security. This is the simplest and most elementary rule for protecting email messages.
General measures
Users should understand that email is not a private communication. This is especially true for work emails that belong to your employer and can be viewed as they travel through the company's network and servers.
For example, you send a work letter to the e-mail of the social protection department. Be sure to confirm that your appeal is going to the real address, and not to the spam version. Also make sure you choose the correct "Reply" and "Reply all" when replying to a group email. In the case of the above example, double-check that you are sending the message to the correct email address (to protect the public), andnot a similar email.
Even though email is a convenient and cross-platform service used by almost everyone, it's worth considering whether another method of communication could be more secure. Some instant messaging apps address the privacy issue, including TextSecure for Android and Signal for iOS.
However, even with encrypted applications, problems can arise. Popular messaging service Telegram, which uses 256-bit encryption, was recently taken off the App Store by Apple over concerns about child pornography (although it was later brought back). Even Facebook Messenger lets you send encrypted messages that are permanently deleted to leave no trace.
Use a VPN
Another option to consider for email security is a VPN, which creates an encrypted "tunnel" to another server where the data is decrypted before being sent out to the Internet. While the primary reason for using a VPN is privacy, which can protect your emails from your ISP, your email client will still have an unencrypted copy, so it offers only limited protection.
Email Encryption
The best strategy for keeping email private and secure online is to encrypt it directly. In some cases, you usethe email client can do this behind the scenes.
Gmail has been offering encryption as a default setting since 2014 for users who send email through Google apps or through the Chrome browser. However, emails are not encrypted if a different browser is used or if the recipient has an address other than Gmail, so this method has its limitations. On the other hand, Google has become the "big brother" of the Internet and is known for reading user posts in order to serve them more relevant ads.
Microsoft's email client, Outlook, also offers encryption. Both sender and recipient must exchange digital signatures, which include a certificate and a public key. The digital signature also includes an electronic identifier that authenticates the sender. However, this does not work in either Outlook.com or the Windows Mail app.
There are several email services that have been developed for encryption. A free example is the open source Tutanota, which offers mobile apps for iOS and Android, as well as browser-based email. The downside is that the people you send emails to will need to have an account on the same platform or provide a password to decrypt each email.
Another strategy for protecting information in email is to not actuallyuse a permanent email address and use a disposable one instead. The mail provider MailDrop offers free addresses just for this purpose. Users have the choice to either create their own address or let MailDrop assign them a random one. No registration or password is required here, making it ideal for sending an email to an insecure recipient, but not for receiving mail.
Special Applications
As already noted, most of the correspondence these days is sent by e-mail. But at the same time, it can also pose a potential threat to user privacy and security. Data loss and leakage of confidential information are among the most pressing concerns for most users, and especially for businesses. With this in mind, software was created that you can use to protect your email from modern threats.
Hushmail
Hushmail, a private service, allows users to secure their email to keep private communications private. By using this software, you can regain control of your personal data and enjoy a clean, ad-free inbox.
You will be able to select the emails you want to send using this tool's powerful encryption features and it will lead to private and confidential conversations.
Key features thatcontained in this handy application are expressed as follows:
- Hushmail Premium is a private account ideal for users who need a single email address ending in @hushmail.com with desktop, mobile and web access.
- Hushmail Premium includes 10 GB of storage space and multiple layers of security.
The software uses OpenPGP encryption, which is guaranteed to protect your email content and ensure a secure connection between you and the servers.
When you use this tool, you hide your data, which means that your emails will not be parsed to display all kinds of advertisements. You will be able to mask your email using various aliases, which ensures that your email is 100% spam protected.
The app provides dedicated customer support and any issues you may encounter will be resolved by phone or email.
Hushmail encryption is automatic and you don't have to worry about how it works. There is also a 2-Step Verification that can prevent unauthorized access to your account.
How to set up this service?
To protect your email you will have to download this service. The first step in applying it involves logging in with your username andpassword, and the second requires you to enter a verification code that will be sent to your phone or alternative email address. You can check out the additional features and functionality of Hushmail on the official website of this software, and try it out to see how it works.
I2P-Bote
This is an I2P plugin that allows users to send and receive email in the most secure way. It is a fully decentralized and distributed system that does not require a server as the emails are stored in a distributed hash table.
Your messages will be automatically encrypted and digitally signed to ensure no one reads them except the intended recipients. Access to third parties will be blocked. Thus, the application provides excellent data protection in email.
The best features that are included in this plugin include:
- You can create email ids with one click, and send your emails anonymously or with an id of your choice.
- The whole encryption and login process is transparent and you don't need to know anything about PGP.
- I2P-Bote is based on ElGamal (elliptic curve in NTRU encryption).
You will also receive a delivery confirmation so you can know when your letter has reached the recipient. The user interface is easy to understand and use. In addition, it has also been translated into various languages.
Besides current functionsthere are other options that will be implemented in the near future. These include user folders, IDs shared across multiple devices, receiving emails via relays, and other measures to counter traffic correlation.
You can install I2P-Bote in a couple of clicks and see how it works and if it suits your security needs.
Bitmessage
The Bitmessage service is a P2P type communication protocol that is used to send encrypted messages to another user as well as to multiple subscribers. However, this protocol is decentralized and does not deserve much trust. In other words, you don't have to fully trust entities like root CAs. You can use it to protect email from spam, but don't use it to encrypt corporate or similar messages. Bitmessage, in turn, is a similar protocol, but its reliability is many times higher. This is explained as follows.
Key features included with Bitmessage include:
- Bitmessage uses strong authentication, which means that the sender of the message cannot be tampered with, and the data and its content will be hidden.
- Users can freely browse the Python source code on Github for step-by-step instructions on how to run the source code on Windows and more.
- Bitmessage's transmission mechanism is similar to Bitcoin's transaction and locking system, making it an excellent means of electronic security.mail.
Users will receive all messages and they will be responsible for trying to decode each message to see if it is binding on them.
You can check out the additional features and benefits of using Bitmessage on the official website.
RetroShare
An anti-virus and hacker email protection app RetroShare was created back in 2006 with the main goal of providing secure communication and file sharing between friends. Since then, developers have joined the platform and have greatly improved this software.
RetroShare creates encrypted connections with your recipients and ensures that no one will spy on you. The service is completely decentralized, which means that RetroShare does not involve the use of central servers. The program is open source and free. You will never have to deal with any costs, advertising or terms of service.
With the above in mind, let's take a look at the main features and functionality provided by RetroShare:
- The service creates encrypted connections between you and your friends and family to build a network of computers.
- It also provides various distributed services, including channels, forums, and more.
- RetroShare guarantees users maximum security and anonymity while protecting their email.
The program is available on Windows and other systemsOS. Separately, it is worth noting that its use does not imply any additional costs or advertising. You can send text and images and discuss things with people in decentralized chats. In addition, you can express your emotions with emoticons and more.
RetroShare also allows you to send encrypted messages to other network members and store them for delivery while you are offline. With this program, you can share files with the entire network, even if they are large.
Your privacy and anonymity are fully guaranteed. You can learn even more interesting details about RetroShare by visiting its official website.
Sendinc
Another equally useful service is Sendinc. This is a great way to send secure emails. It's fast, secure, and free, and comes with a lot of great features and security-related benefits. Here are the best ones:
- High-level encryption ensures that only you see the messages you send.
- Sendinc does not store encryption keys, and only your recipients will be able to decrypt messages.
- You can easily send and receive encrypted emails in Microsoft Outlook.
The Sendinc add-in for Microsoft Outlook makes it really easy and convenient to send and receive encrypted emails, and sending them is as easy as ever. All you need to do besides the usual procedures isset the Send Secure checkbox.
Your recipients won't need any additional software to view your messages. You can achieve and maintain compliance with GLBA, HIPAA, SOX and more.
Sendinc allows you to integrate email encryption directly into your API applications. The platform presents three available plans:
- basic, which is free for individuals;
- PRO, for which you have to pay $48 a year;
- corporate plan that also costs $48/year.
Conclusion
The article provided basic recommendations on email security methods. Before installing any software, be sure to visit its official website and check out the full set of features.
Keep in mind that protecting your sensitive data and your communications is vital these days and that is reason enough to consider using this kind of software.
