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Email Security

What is email security?

Email security refers to a set of strategies, techniques, and processes aimed at protecting email communications from cyber threats. It includes safeguarding inboxes from unauthorized access and preventing email spoofing. It also focuses on blocking phishing attempts, filtering out spam emails, and employing encryption to secure email content. Additionally, email security protects against the delivery of malware. It ensures that sensitive information remains inaccessible to unauthorized individuals.

Email security is essential for protecting both businesses and individuals from data breaches and other cyber threats.

What kinds of attacks can occur through email?

Email attacks come in several forms, each with distinct methods and objectives. Some of the common attacks are listed below: 

• Spamming: Uninvited and unwanted bulk messages, often sent by bots or fraudsters, to promote products or spread malicious links.
• Phishing: Fraudulent emails designed to steal personal and financial information by tricking recipients into clicking malicious links or downloading malware-hidden attachments.
• Malware attacks: These include spyware (which collects sensitive data), scareware (which tricks users into downloading malicious software), adware (which leads to harmful sites), and ransomware (which encrypts data and demands payment for its release).
• Account takeover: Attackers gain unauthorized access to user accounts to monitor messages, steal information, or distribute malware.
• Email interception: Intercepting emails to steal information or execute on-path attacks, often via network data packets in wireless networks.
• Data exfiltration: Unauthorized extraction and transmission of sensitive information to external locations for malicious purposes.
• Zero-day attacks: Exploiting unknown vulnerabilities in systems, leaving users and defenses unprepared.

To learn more about the types of email security threats, refer here.

Email security: Why is it important?

Email remains the most widely used form of professional communication, through which sensitive and confidential data is shared. Its popularity and ease of exploitation make it the top threat vector for cyberattacks. According to Verizon's 2024 Data Breach Investigations Report, phishing is a leading cause of data breaches, with email as the primary delivery mechanism. Recent statistics show that 94% of all new cyberattacks stem from emails, and 8 in 10 organizations have experienced an email security breach, leading to risks such as data theft, compromised brand identity, and weakened security posture. Implementing robust email security measures is essential to reduce these risks, protect sensitive information, and preserve organizational reputation.

Real-life incident: Microsoft's latest email breach

In late 2023, Microsoft experienced a major email security breach attributed to the Russian state-sponsored hacking group "Cozy Bear". Hackers gained access to Microsoft’s corporate email accounts, targeting its senior leadership, cybersecurity team, and legal employees. The breach was executed through a password spray attack on a legacy test account without multi-factor authentication (MFA). The attackers exfiltrated sensitive emails and files before Microsoft detected the intrusion on January 12, 2024.This incident caused by a lack of multi-factor authentication on a legacy account, led to data theft, reputational damage, potential financial risks, and operational disruptions.

Best practices for email security

Adopting email security best practices is crucial for ensuring the safety of email communications. Here are some key guidelines for organizations and individuals to ensure secure email communication:

• Train employees on email security: Regular training helps employees recognize potential threats like phishing.
• Create strong passwords: Use complex, unique passwords for each account.
• Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Adding an extra layer of security reduces the risk of unauthorized access.
• Evaluate the email's intent and content : Check the intent and content of the email. If it creates a sense of urgency or asks to share credentials, exercise caution.
• Be wary of email attachments: Avoid opening attachments from unknown senders.
• Don't click email links: Be cautious about links, especially if the email seems suspicious.
• Separate business and personal emails: Avoid using business email for personal purposes.
• Use approved devices: Only access corporate email on company-approved devices.
• Encrypt emails and attachments: Ensure that sensitive data is protected during transmission.
• Avoid public Wi-Fi: Refrain from accessing email over unsecured networks.
• Use email security protocols: Implement protocols like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for email authentication.
• Utilize email security tools: Leverage the advantages of email security tools like Zoho eProtect, which is a cloud-based email security and archival solution that secures and archives emails for customers using other cloud email services, such as Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, or on-premise email servers.
• Log out when not in use: Always log out of email accounts to reduce the risk of unauthorized access.