In the News
Will the 2020 election be wrought with malicious email attacks once again? In Nearly all 2020 presidential candidates aren’t using a basic email security feature, Zack Whittaker at TechCrunch discusses research by Agari which identified a lack of DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) security in all presidential candidate’s email accounts except for Elizabeth Warren. Whittaker explains that without this top of the line authentication, the candidates are at risk for phishing attacks and spam. Whittaker emphasizes that a deadline has been set for US government to integrate this authentication method, but that many private companies still struggle in implementation.
Our Take
Email security has been a hot topic in the news cycle, especially regarding incidents during the last presidential election. It seems like common sense that political figures, government agencies, and large corporations should utilize the most advanced authentication technologies available, but implementation, in reality, is often a difficult task. However, email security does not only apply to public figures and companies. Students and young adults utilize email regularly. Often, users are requested to send sensitive information or document files through email. Enabling email encryption when handling confidential information is crucial to protecting the privacy of your data. Whenever you put information out into the world, you want to be sure that you have secured it to the best of your availability. It’s time to take email security seriously!
Recommendations
How can you protect the security and privacy of your accounts?
- Use safe password practices, and take advantage of Multi-factor Authentication where possible
- Refrain from opening suspicious attachments in email and messaging apps
- Be mindful of your emails; always check the date, subject line, and recipients to confirm that you are reading and using the correct email
- Check your email, financial accounts, and credit reports regularly for abnormal activities