Essential tips for securing your email

As part of our ongoing commitment to keeping Richland safe, we want to remind you of some crucial practices for securing your email. Email is one of the biggest target for cyber threats, but following these simple guidelines can greatly reduce your risk:


  1. Be Cautious with Attachments and Links: Never open attachments or click on links from unknown or unexpected emails. These could be phishing attempts or malware. If you are not expecting a link or attachment, please do not open it without first verifying the contents. Instead of clicking on a link, type the address into a web browser address bar manually.
  2. Verify the Sender: If an email seems suspicious, double-check the sender's email address and verify the spelling and the sender through another communication channel if needed.
  3. Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Create strong passwords for your email accounts and avoid using the same password across multiple sites. Consider using a password manager for added security.
  4. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): One example, download the Microsoft Authenticator app on your smartphone and add your Richland account to the app to add an extra layer of protection.
  5. Report Suspicious Emails: If you receive a suspicious email, do not respond or engage with it. Report it to techservices@richland.edu immediately.
  6. Regularly Update Software: Ensure your email client and any related software are up-to-date with the latest security patches.

By staying vigilant and following these practices, you help protect not only your own information but also the integrity of our organization. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to techservices@richland.edu