No business could survive without email. It is the simplest way to deliver messages to clients, employees and potential customers alike. However, while email systems have made it easier than ever to communicate, it’s the dream platform for hackers to use.

Email hacking can occur through malware attacks, phishing and domain spoofing. If your business wants to ensure that its information is secure, it needs to ensure that it has mitigated email security threats as much as possible.

In this article, we’ll discuss how an email security threat can damage a business, the best ways you can protect your company from these threats, and what you can do if a threat occurs.

How can email security threats affect a business?

There are many different ways an email security threat can impact a business, including:

Chainmail attacks: These types of attacks ask an employee to forward the email that they have been sent to all of their colleagues, and if they do this, the hacker then has a list of all emails within a company, which they can use to spread malware.

Phishing attacks: A third of all email attacks occur through phishing, which asks the user to input sensitive information or click on a bad link. These scams are becoming more common and more difficult to spot.

Spoofing: This type of hacking is used to deceive a phone or email account into thinking that they are communicating with a trusted source. For example, the scammer may infiltrate your boss’s email address and use it to garner confidential information from you.

These are just a few of the most common types of email attacks, and all of them have the potential to leak sensitive information or damage your software. Once hackers steal information, they will usually request a hefty sum to give your information back, which can bankrupt some businesses.

What are the best ways to protect against email security threats?

There are a number of different ways to protect your company from malicious emails. Firstly, consider implementing a strong email gateway to strengthen your cyber security or Office 365 software, which prevents malicious emails from ever reaching your accounts. Consider implementing a strong password management system and have clear policies relating to this. Ensure that all employees use strong passwords that are unique, which will limit the danger of phishing attacks.

Any emails containing sensitive data should be encrypted so that only the intended recipient will be able to access them.

Finally, all businesses should have strong antivirus protection software in place that will protect their company’s information even if a mistake happens and malware is installed.

What should a business do if a threat occurs?

Although a business can put measures in place to prevent an email security threat, mistakes can happen or experienced hackers can find a way through. Therefore, it’s important to know what to do in the unlikely event that a threat occurs.

Ransomware: If your business has been attacked by ransomware, begin by isolating the affected computers. After this, alert the authorities as ransomware attacks are a serious crime. Once you have done this, get in touch with a cybercrime expert, who may be able to recover the hacked data.

Data breach: Hackers can break in and steal data in order to sell it online. Although these breaches are sometimes impossible to stop, your best bet is to inform everyone who will be affected as soon as possible. This may result in lost business, but it is important. Finally, make sure that the gaps in your security system are closed so that this can’t happen again.

What should a business learn from email threat incidences?

The most important thing your business can learn in regards to email threats is that prevention is key. The more protection your business has, the less likely a hacker will be able to breach your systems in the first place. Therefore, make sure that your business is protected with state-of-the-art security measures. On top of this, make sure that these systems are regularly updated and tested.