7 tips for basic e-mail security

1. Understand that no e-mail communication is 100% secure. We can do our best to

make the percentage close to that, but sometimes - if the information is extremely
important - you should consider ditching the e-mail option and deliver it in person
(if possible). Avoid sending credit card or social security numbers via e-mail. It's
also a good idea not to send user names and passwords for accounts you don't
want to see compromised.

2. The more your e-mail is present in the confines of the cyberworld, the more spam
you'll be likely to receive. Unfortunately, even if you're careful with disclosing your
e-mail, chances are people will include you in mass mailings and you eventually
your e-mail will be out there. To counteract this, you should definitely set up filters
and rules. They will not catch every unwanted e-mail, but they will reduce their
number. This is not just a matter of annoyance - basic users and novices are
more susceptible to spam and scams. So why give the bad guys the possibility of
trying out their angle?

3. Tied to the previous advice is this one: choose plain text over full HTML or
XHTML rendition to reduce the risk of being targeted by a phishing attack.

4. Don't open attachments unless you know who it's coming from and you trust
them.

5. Use encryption. Check with your ISP to see if they encrypt the authentication
process. Encrypt your email message if possible. Are you familiar with the
concept of steganography? You can hide messages in images, articles, shopping
lists... Ideally, you can use both - first encrypt the message, then use a
steganography software to embed it in a recent photograph. There are simple
toolsout here.

6. Don't access your e-mail from an unsecured network or potentially compromised

computers. Yes, that particularly includes access from an Internet cafe. There
be keyloggers.

7. Teach everybody who wants to know about it, especially your children (AND
especially if you're using the same computer).