Use Strong, Unique Passwords for Email Accounts #

One of the most important things you can do to protect your email is to use strong, unique passwords. Weak or reused passwords make it far easier for attackers to compromise your account, especially if they’ve already stolen credentials from another service you use. Aim for a password of at least 12–16 characters that mixes uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid predictable choices like birthdays or pet names, and instead use a password manager to generate and store complex passwords you won’t need to remember yourself.

Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) #

Enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds another layer of protection by requiring something you know (your password) and something you have (a code or approval from your phone). Even if a hacker learns your password, they still can’t log in without this second factor. When setting up MFA, choose an authenticator app like Microsoft Authenticator or Google Authenticator over text messages, which are more vulnerable to interception.

Be Cautious with Links and Attachments #

You should also be very cautious with links and attachments in emails. Many cyberattacks start with a phishing email that tricks you into clicking a malicious link or opening a dangerous file. Always hover your mouse over a link to check the real destination before clicking, and if it looks suspicious or doesn’t match the sender’s domain, don’t proceed. Only open attachments from trusted senders, and even then, confirm that they actually sent them—attackers sometimes send malware from compromised accounts.

Verify Sender Details Before Responding #

Verifying the sender’s details is another essential habit. Don’t trust the display name alone; check the full email address for subtle misspellings or suspicious domains, like paypa1.com instead of paypal.com. If a request feels unusual—especially if it involves urgent payments or sharing sensitive information—contact the sender through a known, safe channel such as a verified phone number before responding.

Keep Email Software and Devices Updated #

Finally, keep your devices and email applications up to date. Cybercriminals regularly exploit flaws in outdated software, so enabling automatic updates for your operating system, browser, and email app is critical. Restart your devices when prompted to apply updates, as they often contain security patches that close known vulnerabilities.

Need Help? #

Contact the NETWINDY support team by opening a support ticket.