Are you worried about hackers compromising your email security and gaining access to your sensitive data? Given that we are living in the age of massive data breaches and increased phishing attacks, your fear is completely justified.
There is no denying that protecting the confidentiality of emailed documents is crucial in today’s business world. From personal financial statements and legal contracts to critical business reports and proprietary research, it is absolutely essential for individuals and businesses to safeguard sensitive materials, especially when they are being exchanged through electronic channels.
Here are a few practical steps you can take to minimize the risk of data leaks, improve email privacy, and ensure the security of your confidential documents.
Refrain from using public WiFi without a VPN
Avoid using public WiFi to send important emails, as these unprotected networks could expose your personal information to hackers and make you a potential target for cyberattacks.
However, if you are a remote worker who regularly uses public WiFi available in coffee shops and hotels, consider using a virtual private network (VPN) to protect your internet traffic. A premium service such as PureVPN not only keeps you anonymous but also secures your data through an encrypted tunnel.
To put it simply, a VPN helps improve your email privacy and ensures your confidential documents remain secure when using an unprotected WiFi network.
Read more: 5 best ways to send email anonymously
Password-protect your documents
Putting a lock on your confidential documents is also a good way to keep your sensitive data from falling into the wrong hands. All you have to do is attach the password-protected file to your email and share its code with the recipient on a secure communication channel.
Fortunately, most common file types, including MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and PDFs can be password-protected.
Here’s how you can do it:
- Step 1: Go to ‘File’ and click on ‘Info.’
- Step 2: Select ‘Protect Document’ and choose ‘Encrypt with Password.’
- Step 3: Enter the password and type it again to confirm.
- Step 4: Save the file to make sure the changes take effect.
On a side note, using a cutting-edge password manager such as PureKeep could also play a crucial role in protecting your accounts from hackers and scammers.
Share link to encrypted cloud storage
Don’t want unauthorized personnel to access your emailed documents? Consider encrypting your files before sharing them with the recipient.
As you may already know, Gmail doesn’t allow its users to send files exceeding the size of 25 MB in attachments. Instead, they are asked to add a link to their cloud storage. However, if you have to send a large file or several files, consider encrypting them before backing them up on the cloud. It would keep your sensitive information secure and ensure utmost data privacy.
PureEncrypt is a perfect tool to encrypt and backup your important files and folders without any hassle. It is easy to use and allows you to create unlimited secure vaults, giving your confidential documents a security boost.
There you have it – three foolproof ways to maintain email privacy and online security while sharing confidential documents via email.
Read more: Tips on how to tell if an email is from a scammer
