Top 5 Email Security Risks in 2019

Once again, we are confronted by a fact: email is not secure. As invaluable as email is, malicious actors look to its weaknesses to take advantage of users, and the threats are growing in sophistication.

According to the Email Security Risk Assessment (ESRA) quarterly report released by email and data security company Mimecast, these are the top # email security risks in 2019.

#1 Spam

While one kind of SPAM may be detrimental to your arteries, the other kind targets your email and attacks your identity and privacy. ESRA looked at some 319,000 email users over the course of a little more than five years.

In this time, they identified more than 26 million spam emails. The report notes that spam is generally just annoying. However, in that larger number of annoying emails, there were many truly damaging and malicious emails. 

#2 Dangerous File Types

The report identified more than 25,000 files that were malicious. It’s important to note that these emails with attachments were approved by organizations’ email security systems. These emails contained attachments that, when opened, install systems detrimental to the user and/or organization. Such files include programs (.exe), source files (.src), and Java service pages (.jsp).

 #3 Malware

Malware is software that gains unauthorized access to a computer and causes that device harm. The ESRA found that over 27,000 emails contained malware. Yet again, these emails made it past the organization’s existing security. Malware has become increasingly sophisticated. Past methods to detect malware are sometimes unable to find this new more targeted and deceptive software.

[Related: Email Security: Best Practices for Your Organization]

#4 Impersonation

Impersonation attacks generally try to buy credibility by assuming the identity of a trusted entity. Name recognition causes users to let down their guard, and the impersonation attack succeeds in its deception. Oftentimes, these emails enlist the user to send sensitive documents, transfer money, or otherwise divulge valuable information. ESRA found over 55,000 of these attacks. These scams have even targeted university students.

#5 Sinister URLs

The report also found more than 460,000 or 1 in 69 emails containing a malicious URL. This leaves organizations and employees vulnerable to malware, spyware, or ransomware. Businesses can hardly be thrilled about assuming this level of risk.

[Related: Is Dropbox Really Secure for Your Business?]

Top 5 Email Security Risks in 2019

In light of the top email security risks in 2019, we hope it has become evident how truly un-secure email is. All of the emails analyzed by in the report were already being screened for malicious activity, yet several millions of malicious emails made their way into employees’ inboxes.

Trustwire’s remarkably simple browser-based platform enables your employees to share documents and messages without compromising your organization’s security. Sign up today if you’re interested in the safest way to transfer files online.