It’s amazing to think about how email has remained a staple in our communication landscape, despite the many messaging apps and social media options available today. Just like having a phone number or a mailing address—it’s customary and expected for most people to have an email address.

Initially, email was a convenient way to connect with people all over the world for free and keep a record of our interactions. But as time went on, people started finding alternative uses for email, and inboxes started to get messy. Unfortunately, email has become a prime target for cybercriminals due to its affordability, ease of use, and vulnerabilities that can be exploited.

Phishing scams, in particular, have become a prevalent threat in the email space. Surprisingly, statistics reveal that while users typically only open 3% of their spam emails, a staggering 70% of them open and read their phishing emails (FireEye). It’s alarming to think about how effective these criminals are at catching people’s attention.

So, what tactics are these cyber criminals using to lure in unsuspecting victims? It’s a question worth pondering as we strive to protect our personal email accounts from potential cyber-attacks.

Understanding Email Security Vulnerabilities

Cybercriminals can exploit the vulnerabilities or weaknesses in your email security and system. It’s important to be aware of some of the most common email security vulnerabilities and take steps to address them.

One common vulnerability is human error. Not all data loss is caused by intentional cyber-attacks. Sometimes, it’s simply due to mistakes made by employees, like sending out confidential information via email or exposing proprietary information. This often happens when employees lack proper training or education, or when clear procedures for data loss prevention are not in place.

Misconfiguration is another vulnerability to watch out for. This can occur in the email service itself, the server, or the system you’re using. A misconfiguration can leave a door open for cybercriminals to exploit if they’re aware of it.

Software bugs are also a common vulnerability. Hackers can exploit bugs in software, such as your operating system, to gain unauthorized access to your computer. Fortunately, software bugs are usually fixed in the next version of the software, so it’s important to keep your software updated regularly.

The Impact of Data Breach 

From financial losses to damage to credit scores and even emotional distress— the impact of data breaches can be devastating. Imagine spending hours or days, sorting through your finances, canceling credit cards, and changing passwords, just to make sure your personal info is secure. And that’s not all. Dealing with the stress and anxiety of potential identity theft can really take a toll on you. 

The triple data breach at Mailchimp is an example of how much damage cyber-attacks can do. In 2022, Mailchimp and its partners were targeted by cybercriminals in several attacks. Then these sneaky malicious actors pulled off a successful phishing attack in January 2023. They tricked at least one Mailchimp employee into falling for their scheme and exposing their login credentials. It’s a reminder that cyber threats are real and can happen to anyone, even big companies like Mailchimp. Let us stay vigilant and be cautious with emails and requests, even from seemingly legitimate sources. Read more.

Why did it happen?

The perpetrators targeted Mailchimp employees and contractors with their social engineering attacks. Some employees fell for it and either made a mistake or didn’t realize they were being targeted. The data breach had some serious consequences. It resulted in the compromise of at least 133 user accounts, including those of businesses like WooCommerce, Statista, Yuga Labs, Solana Foundation, and FanDuel. Protecting your online data is not just about having fancy security software in place. It’s a wake-up call to always prioritize cybersecurity and be proactive in safeguarding our information. 

Assessing Your Email Security

Are you taking all the necessary steps to keep your personal email data safe? Having an advanced email security solution in place can help you catch threats that might bypass your current security tools. We can help you assess your organization’s current email security posture with a quick self-assessment. 

Data breaches and hacks can happen in many different ways, and it’s important for you to be able to spot the warning signs that you’ve been hacked. These incidents can come in various forms and show up in different ways: 

• Password reset emails or receiving an email about a password reset that you did not request
• Random popups or receiving unexpected browser popups, such as antivirus warnings
• Contacts receiving fake emails or text messages from you or contacts reporting receiving bogus emails or texts from your email/phone number
• Redirected internet searches due to the search engine being infected by malware, resulting in redirected searches or changed appearance
• Slowing down of computer, network, or internet connection and a noticeable decrease in performance due to potential hacker activities
• Receiving ransomware messages or a notification demanding a ransom to unlock a system or data

Best Practices for Protecting Your Personal Email

It’s important to be vigilant about protecting your personal information online and taking steps to safeguard yourself from the aftermath of a data breach due to unauthorized access. Here are the best practices for safer email:

• Create strong and unique passwords for email accounts
• Enable two-factor authentication for an additional layer of security
• Be cautious with email attachments and links, and avoid clicking on suspicious emails
• Regularly review and update email security settings
• Avoid sharing personal information unnecessarily via email
• Educate oneself about common email security threats and stay vigilant
• Use encrypted email services or plugins for added security
• Back up important emails and files
• Be cautious about email forwarding and auto-reply settings
• Check for email security features offered by email providers
• Monitor email account activity and report any suspicious activity immediately

Security Measures to Keep Your Personal Email Safe

As an email security company, we understand the importance of keeping your personal email safe from cyber threats. With the increasing number of phishing attacks, ransomware, and other malicious activities, it is crucial to take proactive steps to protect your email account and personal information. 

Sangu Mail offers state-of-the-art email security solutions including robust spam filtering, malware detection, and encryption features, ensuring that your email communications are secure and protected from cyber threats. 

Don’t leave your email security to chance. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you keep your personal email safe or learn more about the right plan for you.