Home Staying Secure Secure your email

Secure your email

Published:

Aug 8, 2025

Updated:

AUG 20, 2025

Who can use this content?

Individuals

An email account is often used and linked to banking, social media, and work. It is the gateway to your online life. 

It’s critical to protect your email because if a cybercriminal manages to get access to it, they can steal confidential data and assume your identity.

Why should I secure my email account?

It is the master key to your accounts

Most services require your email address for account creation or login, such as your bank login, social media, government services, or work-related accounts. Nearly every online account is linked to your email address.

It contains sensitive information

Your email can often hold bank statements, invoices, personal IDs, or medical records. Emails are used for communication and sharing data, often containing personal or sensitive information. 

Uphold your reputation

Your work emails often contain sensitive business information, contracts, and project details. If compromised, attackers can leak this data or impersonate you to deceive colleagues.

Such breaches can allow them to send spam, scams, or phishing emails to your contacts, putting others at risk and potentially damaging your professional credibility and reputation.

Your email is the central hub of your digital identity. Since it connects to nearly every other account, social media, banking, work, and more, securing it is critical to preventing fraud and identity theft.

By taking simple precautions such as enabling multi-factor authentication, using strong passwords, and avoiding suspicious attachments, you can shield yourself from cybercriminals and keep your personal information safe

How can I secure my email?

Use strong unique passwords

Creating strong and unique passwords is your first line of defence against cyber threats. A good password should be a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols, making it difficult for anyone to guess. Avoid using easily accessible information such as birthdays or names.

Passwords and passphrases

Turn on multi-factor authentication

Boost your online security by using multi-factor authentication. This easy step adds an extra layer of safety to your accounts, like a code sent to your phone or an app. It makes it much harder for anyone else to get into your accounts. Protect your personal information and enjoy peace of mind.

Turning on multifactor authentication

Beware of phishing and scams

One of the main tools used by attackers is email. Avoid disclosing personal information, be wary of urgent requests and always confirm the source. Understanding how phishing and scams work will help you to recognise and avoid them.

Regularly monitor your account activity

Check your account activity for any irregular or suspicious activity. Enable login alerts to get notified of any suspicious logins.

Email account recovery

Protecting your account recovery methods is equally important. Make sure your backup email is secure and regularly monitored. If you use a phone number for recovery, ensure it is one you control exclusively. For security questions, choose answers that are hard to guess and treat them with the same level of protection as a password.