If you are like many dental offices, there is not much to think about. email security. What could go wrong? Most likely, your patients’ email addresses remain safe. However, if it were not, how could someone gain access to them.
The reality is email security can be a serious concern for dental offices. We’ve witnessed a lot of cases of email hacking in the last few years and this is only going to get more frequent.
Because dental practices often contain sensitive information about patients, such as insurance and treatment records, they are especially vulnerable to email attack.
It’s high time for your dental office to upgrade its email security. These are some things that you can do in order to secure your email account.
1. Strong passwords are important
Although this seems obvious, it is surprising how many people use weak passwords. You should change your password if it is “password”, “1234”, or any other combination thereof.
Strong passwords should have at least 8 characters and contain a mixture of numbers and letters.
2. Enable two-factor authentication
You will need to use two-factor authentication to add an additional layer of security to your email account.
It is much more difficult for anyone to hack your account even though they know your password.
3. Avoid clicking on links contained in email messages
Don’t click on any email that contains a link to your account from anyone you are not familiar with. Hackers often use these emails to attempt to access your account.
Don’t click on any link if you aren’t sure if an email is genuine.
4. Maintain your software current
You should always ensure that you are using the most current version of your email software. Many updates include security enhancements that will help protect your account.
5. Pay attention to phishing scams
Phishing scams involve emails appearing to come from a trusted source, such as your bank or company. But they could be fraudulent attempts to access your account.
This email may trick you into downloading malware-laden attachments or clicking on a link to install it.
Do not respond to any suspicious email. Also, do NOT click links or attachments. It should be deleted immediately
Every dental practice should be concerned about their email security. You can protect your dental practice by taking simple steps to increase your email security.