As remote work becomes the norm, cybercrime is reaching unprecedented levels. Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks have soared by 150% year-over-year, making companies more vulnerable than ever. It’s clear that businesses face stacked odds when it comes to secure email service.
But here’s the good news, by staying up-to-date and using proactive solutions, you can reduce your risk of falling victim to these threats. This article will cover the top risks to business email accounts and share actionable tips to protect your business from cyberattacks.
What is email security for business?
Email security for business refers to companies’ various methods and tools to protect their email systems, data and networks from cyber threats. As hackers develop more advanced techniques, companies must stay updated on the new cybersecurity news & trends and adjust their security measures to keep up.
For larger companies, enterprise encrypted emails involve protecting a more significant number of users, a more extensive infrastructure and more sensitive data than smaller businesses. At the same time, larger organizations require more complex and scalable security solutions.
The basic principles of safe email to avoiding phishing scams and using strong passwords, digital signatures, apply to all employees, no matter the company’s size.
Why choose a secure email provider?
Using a secure email provider for your business ensures that sensitive information such as financial data, customer details or trade secrets is safe from hackers and unauthorized access.
Other providers also offer additional services like encrypted cloud storage and encrypted secure calendars, adding an extra layer of protection to your business operations.
Protecting important information
Businesses often send important information like financial reports, customer details and business plans through email. With proper security, this sensitive data can be protected. By using email encryption, businesses can make sure that only intended recipient can access these private messages, keeping the information safe.
The ability to send encrypted email messages adds an extra layer of protection to reduce the risk of unauthorized interception. Without these precautions, the consequences can include serious financial losses, legal trouble and damaged relationships with clients. To keep important information safe, businesses need a secure email service that prioritizes email encryption.
Growing threat of cyberattacks
Emails are a major target for cybercriminals. In fact, 94% of malware and 96% of phishing attacks start with an email. Hackers use tricks like phishing and Business Email Compromise (BEC) to steal information or spread harmful software. BEC scams alone caused over $1.8 billion in losses in 2020. Without strong security, just one attack can put an entire business at risk by exposing valuable data and interrupting operations.
Building trust and staying compliant
A security breach doesn’t just harm data, it can also hurt a company’s reputation. Clients and other partners expect their information to be safe and a breach can break that trust. Businesses also need to follow strict rules, like GDPR and HIPAA, to protect data.
By using strong email security, companies can protect their data, follow the law and keep their reputation intact. Regular updates, encryption and strong passwords are key to staying safe and compliant.
Why you should avoid free email accounts for your business
Using free email accounts for your business might be easy, but it can put your company at risk. Choosing a secure email service is important to keep your business safe and professional.
Lack of professionalism
Free email services like Gmail or Yahoo don’t give your business the credibility that a custom domain email does. A generic email address can make your company look unprofessional, reducing trust among potential clients and partners.
Limited security features
Free accounts often lack advanced security features, making them more vulnerable to cyberattacks. Without proper protection like encryption and multi-factor authentication, your business data is at higher risk of being compromised.
Data privacy concerns
Many free email providers collect user data to display targeted ads, meaning your communications could be analyzed for marketing purposes. This raises concerns about data privacy and how your personal details and business information is being used.
Higher vulnerability to attacks
Hackers tend to target free email services because they often have weaker security measures compared to business-grade solutions. Free account increases the chances of falling victim to phishing attacks, malware and unauthorized access, putting your sensitive data at risk.
Essential security features to look for
When selecting a secure email provider, there are key features that you should prioritize:
- End-to-end encryption. This make sure that your emails are encrypted from the moment they leave your inbox until they reach the recipient. Look for services offering end-to-end encrypted communication.
- Two-factor authentication. Adding a second layer of security helps protect your account from unauthorized access. Many secure email providers offer this feature to make sure that even if someone knows your password, they still can’t access your account.
- Encrypted cloud storage. For businesses that frequently share documents through email, secure cloud storage is a must, most secure email providers give this feature to ensure that sensitive files remain secure.
- Data residency and retention. The location of the email provider’s servers can affect how your data is handled and stored, other secure email providers operate under strict data retention laws, ensuring your emails are protected under privacy-focused jurisdictions.
- Encrypted calendar. Businesses can benefit from encrypted calendars to secure scheduling and appointments.
Introducing Bluehost: The best secure email provider
Bluehost provides two email plans to suit your needs: Professional Email and Google Workspace. Both options are built with security and reliability in mind, making them great choices for businesses seeking secure email services. As some of the best secure email providers, these plans offer encrypted email services to protect your communications and keep your data safe.
Bluehost professional email
Bluehost provides a professional and encrypted email service tailored specifically for businesses. With its range of features, Bluehost ensures your business communication is efficient, organized and safe from online threats.
Here’s a detailed look at the key features that make Bluehost an ideal choice for your business email needs.
Custom domain emails
Having a custom domain email, such as yourname@[yourbusiness].com, helps your company present a professional image. This is critical for building trust with clients and partners. Bluehost allows you to create domain-specific email addresses that reflect your business, making it easier to enhance brand recognition and credibility.
Advanced spam and virus protection
One of the most crucial aspects of email security is protecting your inbox from spam, viruses and phishing attacks. Bluehost’s email system includes robust spam and virus filters, which automatically scan and block malicious content before it reaches your inbox. This ensures that your business communications remain secure and free from harmful threats.
Customizable inbox and one-click email & file encryption
Bluehost gives you the flexibility to customize your inbox to fit the way you work. You can organize your emails with personalized folders and templates, helping you stay efficient and focused. Additionally, Bluehost includes One-Click Email & File Encryption, ensuring that sensitive emails and attachments are encrypted and protected before being sent. This encryption adds extra layer of security, keeping your business communications private and secure from unauthorized access.
Integrated calendar
Staying organized is essential for any business and Bluehost makes it simple with its integrated calendar feature. You can schedule meetings, set reminders and manage deadlines all from one place. The calendar syncs with your existing email accounts, so you’ll always be able to keep track of important events without switching between apps or platforms.
Contact and Task Management
Managing your contacts and tasks becomes effortless with Bluehost. The platform automatically saves your contacts, making it easy to find email addresses or phone numbers when needed. The task management feature allows you to assign, create and track tasks directly within your email system, ensuring nothing slips through the cracks.
File sharing and document suite
Bluehost also enhances collaboration through file sharing and its integrated suite of document tools. You can easily share files with your team, control permissions for viewing or editing and access all your business documents in one central location. Whether you’re working on text documents, spreadsheets, or presentations, everything is seamlessly connected through Bluehost.
Storage and email aliases
Each email account with Bluehost comes with 25GB of encrypted storage, ensuring your emails and attachments are securely stored and protected. With up to 25 email aliases available, you can create alternative email addresses (e.g., for sales or support), all delivering messages to your primary inbox. This keeps everything organized while maintaining security.
Additionally, Bluehost’s server locations and encryption ensure that your data remains protected and messages are securely transmitted to the recipient’s email address.
Sync across devices and Ad-free experience
Bluehost offers a fully synchronized experience across all devices. Whether you’re on your desktop or smartphone, your email and calendars are always up to date. Plus, unlike many free email services, Bluehost’s platform is entirely ad-free, which allows you to focus on what matters without distractions.
Real-time anti-phishing and security features
Security is a top priority for Bluehost, which is why it includes real-time anti-phishing protection. This feature detects and blocks phishing attempts before they reach your inbox, helping you avoid scams.
Additionally, Bluehost uses SSL/TLS encryption for email transmission, ensuring that your communications are safe from unauthorized access. With these comprehensive security tools, Bluehost protects your business from modern-day cyber threats, giving you peace of mind.
Note: When you purchase any Bluehost WordPress hosting plan, you get a 3-month free trial of professional email, complete with custom domain and secure features.
Bluehost with Google Workspace
Bluehost’s integration with Google Workspace gives businesses access to Google’s robust suite of productivity tools, including the widely used Gmail account for seamless communication.
This combination with Bluehost as your service provider ensures that collaboration and communication are more efficient, offering the flexibility and security modern businesses need to thrive.
Additionally, businesses benefit from Google’s industry-leading features, making it easier to manage tasks while ensuring a secure and reliable service provider for all their email and productivity needs.
Access to Google’s Suite of productivity tools
By integrating with Google Workspace, Bluehost allows businesses to utilize Google’s full range of tools, including Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Drive, to manage emails, schedules and documents all in one place. This seamless integration boosts productivity by enabling employees to collaborate and communicate effortlessly from any device, anywhere in the world.
Enhanced collaboration features
Collaboration becomes even easier with access to tools like Google Docs, Sheets and Slides. Teams can work on documents, spreadsheets and presentations in real-time, make sure everyone is on the same page. Whether you’re co-editing a document or reviewing a presentation, the collaborative features of Google Workspace allow you to create and share work more efficiently than ever before.
Email matching your domain
Just like Bluehost’s Professional Email solution, Google Workspace also allows you to use an email address that matches your custom domain. This adds a layer of professionalism to your business communication while benefiting from the trusted Gmail interface that’s familiar to many users.
Drive cloud towage per user
Each Google Workspace user with Bluehost gets 30GB of encrypted cloud storage through Google Drive, giving businesses plenty of file storage space to securely store important documents, images and files.
This means your team can securely store, organize and share business assets without worrying about running out of space. You also have the option to upgrade storage as your business grows.
Meet video conferencing
Google Workspace features Google Meet, a video conferencing tool that supports up to 100 participants. It’s perfect for virtual meetings, webinars, or team check-ins, regardless of location. With a simple user interface, HD video, screen sharing and recording options, Google Meet streamlines online communications and provides businesses with a reliable way to connect and collaborate.
Chat platform for team communication
Along with Gmail and Meet, Google Workspace includes Google Chat, a real-time messaging platform designed for teams. With group conversations, direct messaging and integration with Google Drive, teams can collaborate faster and more efficiently. The platform ensures incoming messages are delivered instantly for smooth teamwork, while encrypted messages guarantee that only the recipient can view them.
Google Chat also supports unlimited messages, making it ideal for maintaining continuous communication throughout the workday, boosting both productivity and collaboration.
Security benefits: Google’s robust infrastructure
One of the advantages of using Google Workspace through Bluehost is the added layer of security. Google’s robust security features are known for advanced threat detection, encryption and multi-factor authentication.
Your emails and files are protected against cyber threats and Google’s infrastructure ensures the highest level of data privacy and security. These robust security features offer businesses peace of mind, knowing that their sensitive data is safeguarded at all times.
Regular security updates and patches
With Google’s frequent updates and patches, you can rest assured that your business is always protected with the latest security features. Google regularly updates its systems to guard against emerging threats, ensuring that your emails, documents and data remain secure.
How Bluehost enhances email security settings
Keeping your email secure is essential for protecting your business communications from cyber threats. Bluehost goes above and beyond by offering advanced security measures, ranking it among the top secure email providers. With a focus on safeguarding your data, Bluehost ensures your email system remains protected at all times. Let’s explore the key features that make this possible.
Encryption protocols
One of the key ways Bluehost protects your emails is through SSL/TLS encryption. End-to-end encryption ensures that all data sent between your email and the recipient remains secure. This means your message is fully encrypted and cannot be intercepted by unauthorized parties. Whether you’re sending confidential business information or day-to-day communications, SSL/TLS encryption keeps your data safe while in transit.
Two-factor authentication
To boost security, Bluehost provides two-factor authentication (2FA). This feature adds extra defense by requiring users to enter a master password and verify their identity with two forms of authentication when accessing their email account.
Users need to enter their password and also confirm their identity with a second step, like a code sent to their phone. This prevents unauthorized access, even if someone manages to steal your password.
Spam and malware filtering
Cyber threats like phishing attacks, malware and spam emails are common risks in business communication. Bluehost’s email system uses smart filtering to stop malicious content before it gets to your inbox. By leveraging advanced algorithms and continuous real-time scanning, Bluehost proactively blocks harmful emails, protecting your business from security risks and potential breaches.
Regular backups and updates
To ensure that your data remains intact and your system stays secure, Bluehost performs regular backups and updates its secure storage itself. These backups safeguard your emails and attachments, allowing you to restore important information if needed. Additionally, Bluehost continuously updates its security measures to address new threats and vulnerabilities, keeping your email system secure and up-to-date.
Ensuring data integrity
Data integrity is vital for business communications. Bluehost’s regular updates and encryption protocols work together to ensure that your data remains unaltered during transmission, preserving its reliability and authenticity. Whether you’re sharing sensitive financial information or everyday emails, your data is protected from tampering.
Essential tips to secure your business email account
Securing your business email is one of the most critical steps to protecting your company’s sensitive information and avoiding cyber threats. Here are some practical, easy-to-follow tips to help keep your business email accounts safe and secure.
Enable Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds a vital layer of security to your email account. With MFA, even if someone gains access to your password, they will need a second form of verification (like a code sent to your phone) to log in. This extra step reduces the risk of unauthorized access.
Keep business and personal emails separate
One of the simplest but often overlooked practices is keeping personal and business emails separate. Using your business email for personal purposes (or vice versa) increases the risk of security breaches, spam, or phishing attacks. By maintaining this boundary, you can better protect your business communications from unwanted exposure.
Encrypt sensitive company emails
Whenever sending emails that contain sensitive or confidential information, use encryption. Encryption protects the content of your emails while they are in transit, ensuring that only the sender and intended recipient can read them. This is essential for safeguarding customer data, financial records and other confidential business information.
Implement email security protocols
Setting up email security protocols like SPF, DKIM and DMARC helps protect your business from phishing and email spoofing. These protocols verify that emails come from legitimate sources, preventing fraudulent activity.
Improve endpoint security
The devices you and your employees use to access email accounts can be an entry point for hackers if they aren’t secure. Install antivirus software and activate firewalls and other security measures on all computers and mobile devices that access business emails. These tools help protect against malware, viruses and unauthorized access.
Use strong passwords and update regularly
Strong password policies are essential for email security. Make sure your passwords are long, complex and unique. You can use a combination of letters, numbers and special characters. Avoid easily guessed passwords like names or birthdates. A password manager can help you generate and store complex passwords securely, ensuring each account has a unique login.
While it’s important to change passwords periodically, avoid requiring too frequent changes, as this may lead to weaker passwords being created. Using a password manager also eliminates the need to remember multiple passwords, keeping your accounts secure without the hassle.
Train employees to recognize phishing attempts
Your employees are the first line of defense against phishing attacks. Regularly train your team on how to spot suspicious emails, links, or attachments. Phishing attempts often disguise themselves as legitimate communications, so educating employees on what to look for will prevent them from clicking on malicious links.
Use secure networks for email access
Public Wi-Fi is convenient, but it’s also a hotbed for hackers. Avoid accessing business email accounts over public or unsecured Wi-Fi networks. Instead, use a secure connection or using Virtual Private Network (VPN) to encrypt your online activities and protect your emails from being intercepted.
Keep software and devices up-to-date
Hackers exploit software vulnerabilities to gain access to business systems. Ensure that all devices used to access business emails (like smartphones, laptops and desktops) have up-to-date software. Regular updates and patches often include critical security fixes, helping to protect your email accounts from new threats.
Control who has access to email accounts
Set up access controls to restrict who can use your business email accounts. Only give access to those who need it and regularly check permissions. Role-based access control (RBAC) is a helpful tool to make sure sensitive data stays in the hands of the right people, lowering the risk of internal security issues.
Getting started with Bluehost
Setting up your business encrypted email service with Bluehost is a simple and seamless process. Whether you’re a small business owner or managing a larger team, Bluehost makes it easy to get your email service up and running in no time.
Easy setup process
Bluehost provides a simple setup process to help you get your email accounts up and running fast. The platform provides step-by-step instructions, walking you through the process of setting up your custom domain email, configuring inbox settings and connecting to your devices. Even if you’re not technically inclined, Bluehost ensures that you can set up your business email with minimal effort.
Affordable pricing plans
Bluehost offers a range of affordable pricing plans tailored to fit businesses of all sizes. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or part of a growing enterprise, you can choose a plan that meets your needs without breaking the bank account. From basic email packages to advanced plans that include extra storage and enhanced security features, Bluehost provides flexible options to accommodate any budget.
Migration support
Switching from your current email provider? Bluehost provides migration support to help you transition smoothly. Their expert team assists in transferring your existing emails, contacts and data to your new Bluehost email account, ensuring that you don’t lose important information during the move. This hands-on support makes the migration process stress-free, allowing you to focus on running your business without worrying about technical hiccups.
Final thoughts
Keeping your business email secure is essential to protect sensitive information, ensure compliance with laws and maintain your company’s strong reputation. With the rise of cyber threats, using a reliable email service that prioritizes encryption and other security features is more important than ever.
Trusted providers like Bluehost, along with other secure email services such as Proton Mail and Zoho Mail, offer features like end-to-end encrypted messages, two-factor authentication and real-time anti-phishing protection.
By choosing email services that cater to business users, you can keep your communications safe, build customer trust and reduce the risks associated with unprotected email accounts.
FAQs
Using a secure email service protects your sensitive business communications from cyber threats like phishing, malware and unauthorized access. Features such as end-to-end encryption, two-factor authentication and spam filtering secure your emails. They also reduce the risk of data breaches and boost your company’s credibility with a professional email domain.
Email encryption protects your messages by converting them into unreadable code during transmission, ensuring only the intended recipient can access the encrypted mail.
Using PGP encryption and an encryption key, you can securely send encrypted messages that safeguard confidential information, like customer data and financial records, keeping your emails secure from hackers and interception.
Two-factor authentication (2FA) enhances security by requiring two forms of identification typically a password and a code sent to your mobile device. Even if a hacker steals your password they cannot access your account without the secondary authentication.
This process works alongside private key and encryption keys in secure systems, using both symmetric and asymmetric keys to protect data. Additionally, standard transport layer security (TLS) ensures that data remains encrypted during transmission, further securing your email communications.
Free email services typically need more advanced security features to protect your business communications. They are more vulnerable to phishing attacks, malware and unauthorized access. Additionally, a free email account doesn’t show the same level of professionalism as a custom email which can impact your credibility with clients and partners.
Bluehost enhances email security with SSL/TLS encryption to protect your messages during transmission, ensuring emails remain secure. With two-factor authentication and real-time anti-phishing protection, your account is safeguarded from unauthorized access and phishing attacks. Additionally, zero-access encryption and supports IMAP ensure that only you can access your encrypted data, securing it further.
