Tips for Secure Emailing 

In today’s digital era, our inboxes hold more than just messages; they’re gateways to our personal and professional lives. But like any critical gateway, they require robust security. Check out these five proven strategies to transform your inbox. 

Strengthen Your Passwords 

Choose not to use predictable patterns and pet names. Create a complex password: a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Think “SecretSquirrel789!”, or a phrase only you’ll decipher (avoid using actual personal details, though).  

Activate Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) 

Imagine an additional lock on your email door, controlled by your smartphone. That’s the power of 2FA. Even if someone snags your password, they’ll need a unique code sent to your phone to enter. Most email providers offer this – find it in your settings and turn it on! 

Review filters 

Regularly review your spam folder and report any suspicious emails. This strengthens the filter’s defenses, ensuring future threats are intercepted before they reach your inbox. You can even create custom filters to send specific senders or keywords to designated folders, keeping your inbox organized. 

Establish a safe sender list 

Not all emails are the same. Some, like those from your friends or essential accounts, deserve VIP treatment. Add these trusted addresses to your “safe sender” list, and their messages will bypass the filter, landing gently in your inbox.  

Do you have our email services? If so, follow the instructions below to make sure these emails do not get caught in your spam.  

1. From Webmail Click on Preferences > Mail 

2. Scroll to Spam Mail Options and enter in customerservice@blackfoot.com in the ‘Allow messages from:’ field 

3. Click Add 

By following these simple tips and staying alert, you can keep your email account safe and secure. If you have additional questions about online security, check out these past tech tips: https://blackfoot.com/resources/tech-tips/.