Avoiding E-mail Security Issues

I know, I know… Technology can be frustrating! Unfortunately, when faced with techie issues that many users do not understand, they many times choose to trivialize these critical issues in the guise of then not having to deal with them. I see it every day.

At least once each week I want to throw something at or kick my computer. Either it isn’t behaving as I would like or I am learning something new that is challenging me. At the end of the day, however, I never choose the path of least resistance or minimize issues I know to be important simply because I don’t want to deal with them.

For e-mail, your most important and guarded information relies on your password being unique to you and not known to others. Even in a business environment, outside of the IT gal or guy, no one but the user should have access to other’s passwords. Period.

Think about it… If everyone had the same password for their account, (and yes I’ve worked with companies that do this because “it’s easier”) what would prevent a disgruntled or even curious employee from tapping into management or accounting department e-mails? Nothing! That is why password security is in place and should be handled appropriately.

And by password security I don’t mean using your pet’s name, your type of car or nickname. You need to use something that no one would ever guess. This means when selecting your password you should use at least 8 characters, a combination of upper and lower case and a number or two should be thrown in for good measure.

Because your company is techno-challenged does not mean you ignore these issues (or become belligerent or accusatory) because you don’t want to deal with them. The truth be told, what you aren’t dealing with at that point is the potential compromise of your business’s security.

Internal and external threats abound. If you haven’t had to deal with any yet in no way negates their existence. Unique, secure and protected passwords are essential for any company’s network security. To think otherwise is simply naive.