In recent months the media has gone into a full frenzy over the covert surveillance programs that the National Security Administration has been undertaking in the name of counter-terrorism. While the debate over the countervailing interests of privacy and security is one worth having, the important point that all too often goes unnoticed is the fact that spying by other parties is much more prevalent and insidious that any governmental program ordinary citizens will come in contact with during their day to day lives.
The only thing you can do to keep your email safe from the NSA is vote, but here are 3 key tips you should follow immediately to keep your email safe from hackers, nosy coworkers and everyone else.
1 – Change Your Password Often
One of the simplest security measures is also the most important, and the most frequently overlooked. When is the last time you changed the password on your Outlook Email software? The longer you keep the same password, the more risk you run of unwanted access by hackers and third-parties.
2 – Always Log Out
One of the more interesting facts about the biggest information leaks in United States history is that Mr. Snowden gained access to the email accounts of others because they simply left their terminals logged in while they stepped away from their desks. Always be sure to log out, even if you are just going to get a cup of coffee or want to create a few photocopies of a document.
3 – Be Sure To Apply Verified Software Updates
Your software is intended to assist you and the support it gives is dependent on your active participation. Updates from Microsoft patch security flaws, add new layers or protection and are worth the occasional system restart required to secure all of your email data.