What is email encryption?
It’s fairly simple, email encryption involves encrypting or disguising the content of your emails in order to prevent potential hackers from being able to read sensitive information. In Reason magazine, Elizabeth Nolan Brown offered this helpful description of encryption: ‘Encrypted email services scramble your data so only you and the message recipient(s) can view a readable version. The undecipherable copy is what passes through and gets stored on the email client’s servers, so even if they’re hacked, subpoenaed, or cursed with nosy employees, your messages can’t be read.
Why does your business need email encryption?
According to PC world, in order to effectively secure your email you should encrypt three things: the connection from your email provider; your actual email messages; and your stored, cached or archived email messages.
Unfortunately, if your connection from your email provider to your computer or any other device you use to access your email, isn’t encrypted when you send and check emails, other users on your network can easily capture your email login credentials as well as any messages you may send or recieve. You might already be aware of this risk when you’re using a public W-Fi network but an unencrypted connection can still cause huge issues on your business or private network.
The emails you write are extremely vulnerable as they’re sent across the internet leaving the relative safety of your email provider’s server. Cybercriminals can intercept your emails as they move from server to server. However, if your emails are encrypted no one will be able to read them until they reach their intended destination.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that criminals won’t be interested in your old email messages. If you keep emails saved on your computer or another device hackers will easily be able to read them even if your account is password protected. How can you ensure no criminals are able to read them? Encryption!
What other steps can you take to protect your business?
If you’re serious about protecting your business you should install an anti spam gateway like MailCleaner between your mail infrastructure and the Internet. MailCleaner offers professional protection against viruses while eliminating up to 99% of spam.
To find out more about how MailCleaner can protect your business and to start a 30 day free trial visit mailcleaner.net