How do I protect my email from being hacked?

There are many methods that can be used to protect email from hacking, including the following:

Activate the two-factor authentication system

Activating the two-factor authentication system (in English: Two-Factor Authentication), referred to by the abbreviation (2FA), is one of the things that must be activated via the user’s email to avoid being hacked, as activating this feature makes the user required to provide more than one verification method. To log into his account; You must enter the password, in addition to a second security method, which is sending a text message containing an access code that is sent to the user’s phone number. Most email service providers provide this feature through their accounts.

Avoid using public devices and networks

The user must avoid logging into his email account from computers that are used by more than one person as much as possible, such as computers located in cafes, hotels, or other public places, as such devices may contain spyware that leads to To hack the user's email account, you must also be careful to avoid using public Wi-Fi networks to access various Internet services, especially those that require access to personal accounts such as email.

Update the software on the device

Updating the software on the user's device is very important to keep his account safe from being hacked. The user must update the Internet browser he uses to access his email account, and he must also update the operating system that the device runs on, whether it is a computer or a mobile phone. In addition to updating any other applications that may be outdated, updating the programs and operating systems on the devices ensures that the user obtains the security improvements provided by the update, in addition to avoiding errors or vulnerabilities that may currently exist.

Use virtual private network software

It is recommended to use what is known as Virtual Private Network software (VPN), as with one click, these programs that are activated on computers or mobile phones protect the user’s identity when he connects to the Internet, by encrypting all his data that is It passes through the network, which keeps the user safe and exposed to fewer ads that appear while using the Internet.

Use a secure password

A strong password must be used, so that it is difficult for others to predict and at the same time easy for the user himself to remember. Therefore, you must avoid using common words to set as a password to protect the e-mail account, such as the user’s own name, or his family name, and other names that are easy to use. The hacker must obtain it, and it is recommended to use complex passwords that contain a set of numbers, upper and lower case letters, and some special symbols, in addition to using a new password that has not been previously used by the user on any of his other accounts on the Internet, and among other matters. The task that prevents the e-mail account from being hacked is to log out of the account when you have finished using it. The e-mail user must also maintain the confidentiality of his account password so that he avoids sharing it with anyone else.

Change account security questions

Security Questions are among the things that hackers may resort to to gain access to a specific email account, by answering these questions instead of entering the account password, and specialized research indicates that approximately 20% of users answer them. Security questions have the same answer, so it is advisable to put answers to security questions in such a way that they are difficult to guess and easy to predict.

Use anti-virus software

It is possible to help protect the e-mail account and prevent it from being hacked by using special anti-virus programs that keep the user’s data safe and free from malicious programs and various types of spyware such as ransomware, so such programs must be installed on the devices that the person uses. To access his email account, whether on computers or mobile phones.

Avoid opening anonymous messages

An e-mail account can be hacked through fake messages that the hacker sends to the user’s account. These messages contain links or files embedded within them that allow the hacker to steal the user’s data by simply opening or clicking on them. Therefore, you must avoid opening any suspicious messages, and this is the easiest way to avoid the risk of this type. One of the hacks, and this can be replaced by opening a new tab in the Internet browser, then verifying the information of the sending party via the Internet, and it may be easy for the user to anticipate suspicious messages through many things; It may be sent from a person unknown to the user, or it may be sent from a known person and contains a link or an attached file without any written text in the message itself.

Use a secure email service

The security of your e-mail account can be increased and the possibility of it being hacked can be reduced by using a secure e-mail service that relies on the use of what is known as Secure Socket Layers (SSL), which means using the site that provides the e-mail service (HTTPS) protocol. ) instead of the (HTTP) protocol. This protocol is concerned with encrypting the user’s connection with the main server of the company providing the e-mail service, and it does not mean encrypting the text of the message that is sent via e-mail at all. The text of these messages can be encrypted and made unreadable except by the recipient. Through the use of what are known as security certificates on the devices of both the sender and the recipient of the message.

Other tips to protect your email from being hacked

Here are several other tips that can be followed to protect the user’s email from being hacked:

Customizing the use of email accounts for different purposes. It is recommended to allocate an account for work, another for personal matters, and another for buying and selling online, as this preserves some accounts in the event that one of them is hacked, and not lose them all.
Protect the Wi-Fi network by setting a password on it and changing it regularly.
Use an email address that is complex and cannot be easily predicted by other people.
Delete programs, applications, and Internet browser extensions (in English: Browser Extension) that are not needed, and install basic programs and applications if possible.
Do not send personal identification information via email.