Tech Tip #47: How to Keep Your Email Safe from Scams and Spam

Have you ever received an email that looked a little suspicious? Maybe it claimed you won a prize you never entered for, or asked you to reset your password for an account you don’t recognize. Scammers and cybercriminals use email to trick people into sharing personal information or downloading harmful attachments. In this post, we’ll cover simple steps you can take to keep your email safe.

Email scams can lead to stolen personal information, identity theft, and even financial loss. By being cautious, you can protect yourself from:

• Phishing Scams: Fake emails that try to steal your passwords and personal details.
• Malware Attachments: Harmful files that can infect your device.
• Spam Overload: Annoying emails that clutter your inbox and sometimes contain hidden dangers.

Easy Steps to Keep Your Email Secure

1. Think Before You Click
   • If an email asks for personal information, double-check by visiting the official website instead of clicking links.
   • Hover over links to see where they lead before clicking.
2. Check the Sender’s Email Address
   • Scammers often use email addresses that look similar to real ones but have small differences.
   • If you don’t recognize the sender or something feels off, don’t reply.
3. Beware of Urgent or Scary Messages
   • Scammers try to pressure you into acting fast by saying your account will be locked or you owe money.
   • Take a moment to think and verify before taking action.
4. Use Strong, Unique Passwords
   • Never use the same password for multiple accounts.
   • Consider using a password manager to keep track of different passwords.
5. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
   • Many services offer 2FA, which adds an extra step when logging in to make sure it’s really you.
   • This makes it much harder for scammers to access your account.
6. Don’t Open Suspicious Attachments
   • If an unexpected email has an attachment, especially one ending in .exe, .zip, or .js, avoid opening it.
   • Even common file types like PDFs or Word documents can contain hidden threats.
7. Mark Spam and Block Unwanted Senders
   • Use the spam filter in your email service to mark junk emails so they don’t clutter your inbox.
   • If you keep getting unwanted messages, block the sender.
8. Stay Updated
   • Email scams keep changing, so stay informed about new threats.
   • If you’re unsure about an email, ask a friend or family member for advice.

Asked your friends and family but still need help? 

If you ever receive an email that seems suspicious and want a second opinion, feel free to reach out to me at brandon [at] brandonlucariello [dot] com or click the “Email Me” link in the top right corner of the web page. After you forward me the email or send me the email in .msg or .eml format I’ll check it for signs of fraud or malicious content and get back to you.

Keeping your email safe doesn’t have to be complicated. By following these simple habits, you can protect yourself from scams and security threats. If an email ever feels suspicious, take a step back and verify before clicking or responding.

Have you ever spotted a scam email? Share your experience in the comments below so we can all learn together!