Honestly, our email inbox has become a bit like the front door of the house : if you don’t lock it properly, anyone can slip in. And the worst part ? Most scams today don’t arrive through dark-web magic – they show up right there, between a newsletter you forgot you signed up for and a receipt from last week’s online order. So I put together this fast but solid guide to help you protect your mailbox without turning your daily routine into a cybersecurity bootcamp.
The funny thing is, the more I talk about email safety with friends and clients, the more I realize we all fall for the *same* traps. Curiosity, hurry, a long Monday… and hop, we click the wrong link. If you want a deeper look at IT basics in general, I often check https://www.metier-informatique.fr for quick refreshers – super handy when I’m doubting a technical term or process.
1. Recognize the “fake-but-looks-legit” emails
You know those emails pretending to be from your bank, Amazon, or even your electricity provider ? They always arrive at the worst moment – usually when you’re half-distracted. And, franchement, some are so well designed that even I sometimes squint twice. A couple of clues help a lot :
- Weird sender address : something like support-amz-verify@something-random.org. If it smells strange, it’s strange.
- Urgent tone : “Your account will be closed in 24 hours !” Really ? Services almost never talk like that.
- Links that look off : hover over them – if the URL looks like a cat walked over the keyboard, don’t click.
Ever had that mini heart jump when reading “Your payment failed”? Yeah, scammers know that feeling exists, and they abuse it. Take 10 seconds to breathe before acting. It saves headaches.
2. Strengthen your passwords (the real way)
People always roll their eyes when I say this, but I promise : a weak password is basically an open bar for hackers. And I get it – remembering long strings of characters feels impossible. My trick ? Use a password manager. I switched to one three years ago, and honestly, I can’t imagine going back. It remembers hundreds of passwords, while I barely remember where I left my keys yesterday.
Aim for :
- At least 12–16 characters
- A mix of upper/lowercase, numbers, symbols
- No real words, birthdays, pet names… even if Pixel the cat is adorable
3. Activate two-factor authentication (2FA)
I used to think 2FA was annoying – “Ugh, another code to type…” – but after seeing how many hacked-mail stories circulate, I changed my mind fast. With 2FA, even if someone steals your password, they still need that extra verification step. It’s like having a digital bodyguard.
Choose an authenticator app rather than SMS if you can. Text messages can be intercepted way more easily than people think.
4. Keep an eye on unexpected attachments
If someone sends you a .zip file or a weird-looking PDF out of nowhere, pause. Even if it’s from a coworker or a cousin you haven’t seen since 2014. I once received a supposed “invoice” from an old client – turned out their mailbox was hacked, and the file was a virus waiting to party on my laptop.
Rule of thumb : if you weren’t expecting an attachment, verify with the person before opening it. A quick text saves a huge mess.
5. Update your devices… yes, really
I know, I know. Those update pop-ups always appear when you’re in the middle of something important. But updates patch vulnerabilities – the exact holes scammers love. Whether it’s Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Gmail, Outlook… keep them fresh. It’s boring but essential, like brushing your teeth.
6. Use spam filters wisely
Most email providers already have solid spam filters, but they’re not magic. Take a minute to mark suspicious emails as spam instead of just deleting them. It trains the system and keeps future junk away. And check your spam folder from time to time – you’d be surprised how often legitimate emails get lost in that digital jungle.
7. Know the three scams that hit people the most
- Phishing : fake login links to steal your credentials. Classic.
- Fake package delivery notices : those “Your parcel is waiting” messages, especially around holidays.
- Tech support scams : someone pretending to fix an issue you didn’t even know you had.
If anyone asks you to install remote-access software without a very good reason, run. Don’t walk. Run.
Conclusion : Your inbox deserves the same care as your home
Securing your mailbox isn’t about paranoia – it’s about peace of mind. A few habits, a dose of skepticism, and some digital hygiene go a long way. And honestly, once you get used to spotting scams, it becomes almost automatic.
So, next time you get that “urgent” email… will you take those extra five seconds to double-check ? Pretty sure your future self will thank you.