In an era where email privacy is more critical than ever, we turned to six experts, including Cybersecurity Consultants and CEOs, for their personal best practices. From sharing email only with trusted parties to creating strong, unique passwords, discover the range of strategies employed to safeguard email privacy.
- Share Email Only with Trusted Parties
- Use Secure, Encrypted Email Services
- Implement a Comprehensive Encryption Policy
- Utilize the “+” Email Trick
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication
- Create Strong, Unique Passwords
Share Email Only with Trusted Parties
I think the most important tip I can impart is to only share your email address with trustworthy parties. That means no free trials, no dubious links, no shopping websites. They sell data all the time, and it *will* get in the wrong hands. That means hacked passwords, email accounts being taken over, spam emails sent out en masse from your email account.
People give out email addresses willy-nilly these days; I don’t understand it. It’s a very private piece of information, so you need to guard it closely. Make sure you pick a strong password that cannot be made sense of, and include all the usual—lowercase letters, uppercase letters, numbers, and special symbols.
Sead Fadilpašić
Cybersecurity Consultant and Writer, Restore Privacy
Use Secure, Encrypted Email Services
One personal step I rigorously follow to enhance my email privacy is the regular use of a secure, encrypted email service. By choosing an email provider that prioritizes security and offers end-to-end encryption, I ensure that my messages are encrypted from the moment they are sent until they are decrypted by the recipient.
This significantly reduces the possibility of third parties intercepting and gaining access to my emails. Furthermore, using a service that doesn’t log my activities adds an extra layer of privacy, protecting not just the contents of my emails, but also shielding who I communicate with and when those communications occur. This practice is fundamental in my approach to preserving the confidentiality and integrity of my email communications.
Amit Doshi
Founder & CEO, MyTurn
Implement a Comprehensive Encryption Policy
To further enhance our security measures, especially in handling communications with our diverse client base, we are implementing a comprehensive encryption policy. This policy mandates the use of end-to-end encryption for all email correspondence, ensuring that sensitive information remains confidential and is only accessible by the intended recipients. By adopting this rigorous approach, we aim to safeguard our clients’ data against unauthorized access and cyber threats, reinforcing trust and integrity in our professional relationships.
For example, we have tools like LastPass and ProtonMail as part of our email security protocol. We also regularly conduct training sessions for employees to educate them on the importance of protecting their personal information, including their email accounts. Additionally, we have implemented strict password management policies that require frequent password changes and the use of strong passwords. This not only protects our own email privacy but also sets a good example for our clients to follow in their own email security practices.
Tristan Harris
Demand Generation Senior Marketing Manager, Thrive Digital Marketing Agency
Utilize the “+” Email Trick
To protect my email privacy, I regularly use the “+” trick with my email address when signing up for new services. By appending a plus sign and a specific word or identifier to my email username (e.g., [email protected]), I can easily track who sends me what and set up filters accordingly. This not only helps in identifying which services might be sharing my email address without permission but also allows for better organization and prioritization of my inbox.
Additionally, this practice makes it straightforward to filter out unwanted emails and isolate potential security risks. If I start receiving spam on one of these tagged addresses, I immediately know the source and can take action, such as unsubscribing or blocking that sender. It’s a small step that significantly enhances my control over email privacy and inbox management.
John Xie
Co-Founder and CEO, Taskade
Enable Two-Factor Authentication
I enable two-factor authentication on my email account, adding an extra layer of security beyond just a password. This typically involves receiving a code on my phone or another device to verify my identity when logging in.
Gareth Boyd
Advisor, Earthweb
Create Strong, Unique Passwords
As someone who values my email privacy, I ensure that I take certain steps to protect the confidentiality of my personal and professional communication.
One specific step I follow is using strong and unique passwords for my email accounts. I understand the importance of having a complex password that includes a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters.
Of course, by avoiding common phrases or easily guessable information, I make it more difficult for hackers to gain unauthorized access to my emails.
What’s more, I regularly update my passwords and avoid reusing them across different platforms to further enhance the security of my email accounts. Taking proactive measures such as these empowers me to maintain a higher level of email privacy and safeguard my sensitive information.
Michael Gargiulo
Founder, CEO, VPN.com
