# 7 Best Tips for Protecting your Email Account and Avoid Scams

Cybercriminals today have been constantly targeting victims using a wide array of methods, especially via emails. A lot of malicious communication in this manner gives hackers, cyber criminals and other online criminals the ability to access information of up to a thousand individuals in an instant.
Moreover, malware infections are being spread via email, phishing scams and other email based attacks are coming from various directions and companies have been hard hit by this mess. Moreover, it is important that each individual safeguards their email account in each possible way they can.

Now let us have a look at handy tips for protecting email accounts from bad actors and steer them clear of danger:

# Making and using a unique yet robust and unbreakable password
This measure may sound obvious but people would be surprised at how many individuals have been using simple, decodable and breakable passwords. Easy passwords seem convenient but are dangerous. Once hackers sniff out such a password and know the email address, a string of additional accounts become accessible to them if users have the same password for them all.

How to counter such a phenomenon? It is best that users start using alternate passwords for each account present. All passwords can be stored in numerous ways either by being written down on a piece of paper, typed on notepad and stored on a drive, using password manager, using keep notes and vice versa.
Passwords should be as unique as possible so they can be harder to crack, and should have Upper case letters, numbers and symbols.

# Using the email service provider’s anti-spam features
Since spam mail is prevalent all around the world (like Spam text messages), email service providers have made anti-spam measures and tools that can be used to prevent illegal communications from happening. Even **[web hosting service](https://hostnoc.com/web-hosting/)** providers are providing anti-spam and other crucial online protection features and services.

Various email service providers have various features. But those who are using Outlook, Proton mail or Gmail, they are likely to have an activated spam filter which puts all spam email in a separate folder.
This prevents spam email from ever entering the inbox directly and reduces the chances of users interacting with it.

Users can always check their spam folders whenever needed as spam filters at times can add legitimate messages inside spam folders by mistake. Yet, users need to check what kind of email they are interacting with in that folder.
# Blocking suspicious email addresses
While some scammers might contact users either once or twice (or maybe thrice), there are some who are relentless and will do anything to get in touch with them. This is the very reason suspicious email addresses need to be blocked, especially those which are confirmed to be dangerous.

It is quite easy and fast to block an email process. Yet the process depends from one provider to another. It can often be done by highlighting one specific email and then choosing the block option. Alternatively, suspicious email addresses can be blocked via account settings.

# Using two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication is invaluable in protecting both email accounts, online banking accounts, social media accounts and the like. It works by verifying an online sign-in through another trusted device or platform. For instance, if users are trying to sign into Gmail using a desktop or a laptop, they can choose to verify logins via their phones using the Gmail mobile app.
As an alternative measure, security keys can be utilized. They are codes texted to users in case of any sign in from a different device or an authenticator app like Authy or Google Authenticator can be used.

Such an additional security layer makes it much harder for hackers to access email accounts whether or not they have either the email address, the password or both for logging in.

# Securing email accounts, devices and systems through a top-notch antivirus software solution
Antivirus software should be a top priority for each user having and using a Desktop, Laptop, tablet or phone. It is now easy for all hackers to load malware into any device whether their purpose is to steal data, perform unauthorized actions or even demand a ransom.
Though most antivirus software have their differences, reputed ones conduct regular scans of devices to look for, and eliminate, all threats, viruses, Trojans, malware and other suspicious plus malicious programs to keep users safe.

Cybercriminals often try to spread malware through email, either via malicious attachments or links. Hence having an antivirus program activated helps stop such dangerous software from infecting devices.
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# Updating all apps regularly
Individuals use email services via apps. They can also access emails via the web but apps make the process streamlined and easy, especially when they are mobile. Hackers would somehow look for a vulnerability to hack that account, either to steal data or to spread more spam.

Though updates can be annoying and time consuming but are needed. It helps remove those bugs and vulnerabilities, and can also provide access to improved security features.

# Using a ‘Burner’ Email
At times users wish to sign up for something using their email address but are unsure of the platform’s safety. They should hence do a little digging into that site and see if it is trustworthy or not.
If however the platform has a question mark on its reputation and users still want to access it, they must consider using a burner or a throwaway email address. It is one which can be used in case users are worried about receiving spam emails.

Though they cannot be used for daily emails, it is only used to keep the main account safe. Hence, the burner email address should not be linked to the main one. No date should be stored on it. Moreover, it should be used on a short term basis but having it is useful. It can keep all the bad actors away from the key email account.

# Conclusion
Despite sounding obvious, these tips are quite helpful and have proven to help protect numerous users around the world from bad actors.