Tips for email safety

Pointers to keep you and your devices safe from malware sent in harmful emails.

1. Don’t open emails from someone you don’t know or trust. If it seems fishy, it probably is. Report the message as spam and move on. 
2. Avoid sending any sensitive information over email. When you send a message, you no longer have control over what is done with it or to whom it is forwarded. Sensitive information such as passwords, bank account numbers and social security numbers should never be sent via email. CenturyLink, PayPal and your bank are examples of companies that would never ask for personal information in an email. If you receive a phishing email in your CenturyLink email box, forward it to us. Or you can report it as spam, by clicking the Spam button on your CenturyLink webmail toolbar.
3. Never open an attachment within an email from a company or person you don’t know (or that you were not expecting). Attachments can contain viruses, which can seriously damage your computer. Drag these emails to your spam folder.
4. Never reply to or click on links inside spam emails. Replying to, clicking on links within, or even unsubscribing from spam emails typically only informs the sender that they have found an active email address to which they’ll send more spam emails. Instead, report the message as spam.
5. Use a spam filter. Spam filters help you keep spam emails from your inbox or flag spam emails so that you are aware of them. Depending on the software and configuration, some spam filters can automatically eliminate junk emails and block web bugs that track your activity and system information. See how to modify your CenturyLink email spam filter settings.
6. Use antivirus software. It is highly recommended that you install and maintain good and well-respected antivirus software on your computer to prevent infection. Scan all email attachments with an antivirus program before downloading, even if they come from someone you know. Don’t have antivirus software? McAfee Security is included with your CenturyLink High-Speed Internet service.
7. Be cautious connecting to open WiFi.When you’re connected to a public and open WIFI network, hackers can more easily access your accounts. It’s best to avoid connecting to these networks entirely. If you do connect, don’t sign into any accounts with sensitive information stored.
8. Keep your passwords secure. It’s recommended to change passwords at least every 60 days, particularly if you currently view and manage your email on a public computer. Use a mix of letters and numbers, as those passwords are harder to break. The password should not be easy to guess. Never share your password with anyone. You can learn how to change your CenturyLink email password and about creating secure passwords.
9. Avoid unsolicited bulk mail.Unsolicited bulk email messages can fill up your mailbox and become extremely frustrating.  To avoid this:
   • Don’t give your email address to sites you don’t trust.
   • Don’t post your email address to public places online like message boards, comment boards, or even your personal website.
   • Keep your personal email private except from people that you really want to hear from. You can set up a second email account for registering for public websites.
   • Use an alternate email address when buying a product from a site for the first time or signing up for a new service. If you’re a CenturyLink High-Speed Internet customer, you can use one of your 10 included email accounts for this.

Follow these recommendations to keep bad players away from your private information and from accessing your accounts.