When companies are attacked whether it is ransomware or viruses, the malicious software often gets into the company from employee’s email inboxes.

Security risks in emails take many forms from the ones meant to lure data from you to the ransomware which locks you out of computer systems and threatens businesses.

Being able to recognize malicious emails activity is important for everyone whether you are working in a corporation or using a personal email.

During this WebQuest you will learn about email safety and how to recognize malicious content.

In groups:

1. Think about what precautions you already take.
2. Research how you stay safe with emails, links, and attachments.
3. Brainstorm on ideas for employee handbook about email safety
4. Write a section about email safety for an employee handbook.

1. You probably already know some security risks and take your precautions when dealing with your personal email. The first thing you should do is figure out what email security risks you know about and what you do to protect yourself from malicious emails. Write this down, as it will be useful in the next step.
2. Now that you know what you do, it is time to do some research. In the resource links you can find information about different risks, please for now take a look at these resources and keep your own practices in mind:

https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/tip/2019s-top-email-security-best-practices-for-employees
What is Email Spoofing & How to Protect Yourself? | Cybernews
The Truth About Clicking Links in Email and What To Do Instead « TipTopSecurity
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_u0Si86NsU

3. In part 4 you will have to write a section for an employee handbook with tips for email safety and awareness of risk. In preparation, brainstorm on what the entry should contain and what kind of illustration it should have if any. If you need tips on brainstorming use these links:
https://www.ideou.com/blogs/inspiration/7-simple-rules-of-brainstorming
https://www.worldofinsights.co/2019/05/15-tips-for-better-brainstorming/

4. Based on the best ideas from the brainstorm, write an entry for the employee handbook about what the most common risks you should be aware of is, and what you can do to protect yourself.

https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/style-and-usage/what-is-effective-writing-communication.html
https://fellow.app/blog/productivity/how-to-improve-written-communication/

Security:

https://www.arcsystems.co.uk/the-dangers-of-links-and-attachments-in-emails/

https://tiptopsecurity.com/the-truth-about-clicking-links-in-email-and-what-to-do-instead/

https://www.safetynet-inc.com/resources/blog/phishing-attacks-do-not-click-links/

https://cybernews.com/secure-email-providers/email-spoofing/

https://www.proofpoint.com/us/threat-reference/email-spoofing

https://www.verizon.com/about/news/email-safety-and-why-it-matters
Brainstorming:
https://www.ideou.com/blogs/inspiration/7-simple-rules-of-brainstorming
https://www.worldofinsights.co/2019/05/15-tips-for-better-brainstorming/
Writing tips:
https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/style-and-usage/what-is-effective-writing-communication.html
https://fellow.app/blog/productivity/how-to-improve-written-communication/

Knowledge:

• Be aware that not all emails are safe.
• Awareness of own practices.

Skills:

• Be able to identify whether an email is likely to be secure.
• Being able to advise others on best practices regarding email safety.

Online safety or security is relative to what risks you take. With this challenge we expect that you have gained increased awareness about email security as well as knowledge and skills to stay safe.