7 Risky Email Habits to Stop Now

Email is the backbone of modern business communication, but it’s also one of the easiest ways for sensitive information to leak or for cyberthreats to slip into an organization. Professionals who live in their inbox all day often develop habits that feel efficient but quietly expose their company to unnecessary risk. To make sure you’re not part of the problem, here are 7 risky email habits you should stop doing now.

1. Sending sensitive data without encryption. Transmitting financials, customer data, or internal documents over plain email leaves them vulnerable. Use approved encryption tools or secure file-sharing platforms whenever confidential information is involved.
2. Clicking links without verifying the sender. Phishing emails are increasingly sophisticated. Even messages that look legitimate can redirect you to malicious sites. Hover over links, confirm the sender’s address, and when in doubt, contact the person through another channel.
3. Using personal devices or accounts for work email. Mixing personal and professional communication increases the risk of data exposure. Personal devices may lack company-level
   security controls, and personal accounts aren’t governed by corporate retention or monitoring policies.
4. Auto-forwarding work emails to external accounts. It may seem convenient, but auto-forwarding bypasses company security systems and can violate compliance rules. Keep all business communication within approved platforms.
5. Replying-all by default. Beyond annoying your colleagues, unnecessary mass replies can spread sensitive information to people who shouldn’t have access. Double-check your recipient list before hitting send.
6. Downloading attachments without scanning. Malware often hides in seemingly harmless attachments. Use your organization’s antivirus tools and avoid opening files from unknown or unexpected sources.
7. Storing confidential emails in your inbox indefinitely. Your inbox isn’t a secure archive. Move sensitive messages to protected storage locations or delete them according to company policy.

Staying ahead of scammers’ advancements might seem overwhelming, but Jeanne D’Arc has resources to keep you in the know to defend your money and data. Visit our Fraud & Theft Protection page and subscribe to the Money Mill Blog for more information and best practices to keep your data and money safe.