Scammers use a variety of tactics to trick people into giving away personal information or money, and the internet has made it easier for them to reach a larger audience.

It's also important to remember that scammers often use a sense of urgency or fear to try and trick you, so it's important to always stay calm and think critically when assessing any request for personal information or money.

Do not open an email if you do not expect the mail or if you are uncertain of the source.

Opening emails from unknown or untrusted sources can put you at risk of phishing scams, malware, or other security threats. It's also a good idea to be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from such emails, as they may lead to malicious websites or software. Additionally, it's important to be aware of the use of social engineering in such emails.

Do not respond to possible SPAM

Responding to or clicking on links in spam emails can put you at risk of phishing scams, malware, or other security threats. Spammers often use these tactics to try and trick you into providing personal information, such as passwords or credit card numbers, or to redirect you to malicious websites that can infect your computer with malware.

It's best to simply delete spam emails without clicking on any links or responding to them. It's also a good idea to be cautious when clicking on links in emails, even if they appear to be from legitimate sources, as they may have been compromised by hackers. It's best to hover over the link to see the URL and make sure it's a legitimate source before clicking.

It's also good to set up spam filters in your email client or use a spam-blocking service to help keep spam emails out of your inbox.

Do not open attachments if you do not expect the mail or if you are uncertain of the source.

Opening attachments from unknown or untrusted sources can put you at risk of downloading malware, viruses, or other types of malicious software. This can happen even if the email appears to be from a legitimate sender, as hackers can spoof email addresses or use social engineering tactics to trick you into opening the attachment.

If you receive an unexpected attachment from a company or person you don't know, it's best to delete the email immediately. Even if you know the sender, it's always a good idea to verify the authenticity of the email, and if there is any doubt, reach out to the sender to confirm that they sent the attachment.

Do not send sensitive information over email.

Sending sensitive information over email can be risky, as emails can be intercepted, read, or redirected by unauthorized parties. This includes personal information such as passwords, credit card numbers, or social security numbers, as well as confidential business information.

If you need to send sensitive information, it's best to encrypt the email or use a secure file-sharing service. Another alternative could be to use end-to-end encrypted messaging apps like Signal, WhatsApp or others.

Exercise caution when making electronic funds transfer (EFT) payments. Before proceeding with any payment, it is strongly advised that you verify the account information to ensure that the payment is made to the correct account. This is particularly important in light of the potential for email interception, which could result in fraudulent alteration of banking details.

Avoid Open WiFi connections

Open WiFi networks, also known as public WiFi or unsecured WiFi, are networks that do not require a password to connect. They can often be found in places like airports, hotels, coffee shops, and other public areas.

When connecting to an open WiFi network, it's important to be aware that the network may not be secure and that your personal information, including passwords and credit card numbers, can be intercepted by hackers. It's also possible for hackers to create fake open WiFi networks to try and trick you into connecting, allowing them to steal your personal information.

To protect yourself, it's best to avoid connecting to open WiFi networks whenever possible, and use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your internet connection. Also, avoid accessing sensitive information like online banking, email or social media while connected to an open WiFi network.

Use an Antivirus

Using antivirus software with your email can help protect your computer from malware and other security threats. Many antivirus programs include email scanning features that will automatically scan incoming and outgoing emails for viruses, worms, and other malicious software. This can help to prevent the spread of malware to other computers, and protect you from accidentally downloading malware from an infected email attachment.

When using antivirus software with email, it's important to keep the software updated to ensure that it can detect the latest threats. Additionally, it's a good idea to schedule regular scans to check for any potential infections.

It's also important to note that antivirus software is not foolproof, and it's still important to be cautious when opening emails from unknown or untrusted sources and avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from such emails.

Additionally, it's a good practice to keep your operating system and other software updated, as well as to be aware of the use of social engineering tactics in emails.

Avoid unsolicited bulk mails

Avoiding unsolicited bulk mail, also known as spam, is a good way to protect yourself from phishing scams, malware, and other security threats. Spammers often use these tactics to try and trick you into providing personal information, such as passwords or credit card numbers, or to redirect you to malicious websites that can infect your computer with malware.

It's best to simply delete spam emails without clicking on any links or responding to them. To help reduce the amount of spam you receive, you can use spam filters in your email client, or a spam-blocking service.

Use a SPAM Filter

Using a spam filter can help to reduce the amount of unsolicited bulk mail, or spam, that you receive in your inbox. Spam filters work by using a variety of techniques, such as keyword analysis, Bayesian filtering, and challenge-response systems, to identify and flag spam messages.

It's important to keep in mind that spam filters are not perfect, and some legitimate emails may be incorrectly flagged as spam. To avoid missing important emails, it's a good idea to check the spam folder regularly. Additionally, it's also good to train your spam filter by marking emails as spam or not spam, so it will learn your preferences and get better over time.

Use a strong password

Using a strong password is an important aspect of online safety and can help protect your email and other online accounts from unauthorized access. A strong password should be:

• Long: at least 12 characters
  
• Complex: include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters
  
• Unique: not used for any other accounts
  

Avoid using easily guessed information, such as your name, address, or common words as part of your password.

Change your passwords regularly, especially if you suspect that your account has been compromised or if you have used the same password for a long time.

It's also worth mentioning that two-factor authentication (2FA) is an additional layer of security that helps to protect your accounts even if someone else gets hold of your password. Use 2FA if it is available.

Some of the key takeaways include:

• Don't open emails from unknown or untrusted sources.
  
• Confirm payment/banking details before making a payment such as EFTs.
• Avoid sending sensitive information over email.
  
• Never open attachments from unknown or untrusted sources.
  
• Don't respond to or click on links in spam emails.
  
• Be cautious when connecting to open WiFi networks.
  
• Use antivirus software with your email.
  
• Avoid unsolicited bulk mail by using spam filters and unsubscribing from email lists.
  
• Use a strong password

It's important to keep in mind that scammers and hackers are always coming up with new tactics, so it's important to stay vigilant and keep your computer and software up to date. Additionally, it's a good practice to be aware of the use of social engineering tactics in emails and other forms of communication to avoid falling prey to scams.