How To Safeguard Yourself Against Encrypted Email Malware

Cyber-attacks are online criminals and focusing every day on developing new techniques to target users via malware, ransomware, and spyware. In the past two years, most of the attacks are executed through email attachments and this threat is growing day by day.

In this post, we’re going to discuss what encrypted email malware is and how to safeguard yourself against encrypted email malware.

What is Encrypted Email Malware?

In the year 2016 and 2017, 2/3^rd of malware attacks were executed with the installation of attachment in the emails. Moreover, it is one of the most common ways to infect devices with suspicious malware, virus, and spyware. The password-protected emails are dissimilar to conventional email attachment malware. Unlike the latter, the former can only be accessed after entering the password.

Earlier cyber-attacks used archive files for password-protected email attachment malware. However, with new technology archive files have been replaced by encrypted PDF and DOC files. These emails look like the legitimate emails which reflect as genuine business reports and documents. The moment you enter your password to decrypt the attachment, it will prompt you to enable content. If you are enabling content, then you have enabled macros that infect your computer with spiteful programs and tools.

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Why Cyber-attacks Prefer Using This Malware?

Easy to Implement

One of the biggest reasons for preferring email attachment malware is that it is not difficult to create. Most times, malicious macros are generated using the script functionality in MS office. It is written in the JavaScript or Visual Basic by implying the two major programming languages that can be performed with minimal expertise.

Easily Detectable by Email Filters

Another reason for preferring encrypted email malware is, it can be easily detectable by email filters. However, with the latest technology modern email gateway scanners can detect and eliminate suspicious links from the emails but they also have limitations when it comes to encrypted emails.

There are only a few scanners which have the capabilities to detect malware concealed encrypted ZIP files, provided the file is seen regularly upon performing a simple hash check. However, these kinds of files are quite exclusive that’s why any sort of smarter signature or heuristic detection does not work on it.

Ways to Safeguard Yourself against Encrypted Email Malware?

Use Up-To-Date Programs

Keeping your device updated is not only beneficial for using the latest version of the app but also useful for fixing minor bugs and enhancing your device’s performance.

Stay Focused

It is always recommended not to access emails you’ve received from an untrusted source as they can harm your machine. Because cyber criminals can use fake names and addresses to get into our machine. These emails can be encrypted emails which are not easy to detect by scanners. Open the emails that sent from known people and from legitimate sources to ensure your safety and security.

Use Legitimate Antivirus Software

Using the correct and legitimate antivirus software can safeguard your computer against encrypted email malware attachment. It can detect the spiteful programs which are trying to get into your machine and sent an alert regarding the same.   Some of the software can capable to provide protection even if you have accessed a spiteful email malware attachment on your computer.

Must Read : Different Ways Used By Cyber Criminals To Spread Malware

Avoid Suspicious Attachments & Hyperlinks

Most of us click left-right-center on the provided links and attachment along with emails. Always make sure the file extension is appropriate and go through the link URL before opening it.

So, these are the some of the tips to safeguard yourself against encrypted email malware. You can use a robust antimalware software to handle uncertainty and to keep your computer malware free.