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10 smart email safety tips to protect your inbox from scams
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Your inbox is the gateway to everything from your bank account to your social media profiles. Here’s how to keep it locked down
By Virgin Media Edit
- Published
- 20 May 2026
Your inbox is basically a digital front door – and it’s one that a lot of people leave unlocked. Behind it sits everything from bank statements and shopping receipts to private messages and login reset links for every account you’ve ever created. Which makes it, unfortunately, exactly the kind of thing cybercriminals are very interested in.
From phishing links designed to look like messages from your bank to malware hiding in innocent-looking attachments, one careless click can cause a lot of damage. The good news? Most of it is very easy to prevent. Here are 10 straightforward email safety tips that will keep your inbox – and your personal data – much safer.
1. Use a strong, unique password for your email account
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Your email password is the master key to your digital life. If someone gets in, they can use your inbox to reset passwords for everything else – your bank, your shopping accounts, your social media. So, it deserves a bit more thought than your dog’s name followed by a number (no shade on your dog).
Aim for at least 12 characters and mix letters, numbers and symbols. Crucially, don’t use the same password across different accounts – one breach can cascade into many. Virgin Media Advanced Security’s Password Vault feature allows you to securely store multiple new entry types like phone numbers and passport numbers, all in one place.
Want to go deeper? Our 9 password security tips have everything you need.
2. Switch on two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication (2FA) means that even if someone gets hold of your password, they still can’t get into your account without a second form of verification – usually a one-time code from an app. Microsoft estimates this single step blocks 99.9% of automated attacks. That’s a lot of protection for something that takes about two minutes to set up.
Use an authenticator app like Google Authenticator rather than SMS codes where you can – it’s more secure.
3. Be suspicious of emails you weren’t expecting
Phishing emails – messages that pretend to be from trusted brands to trick you into handing over your details – are the most common email scam going. They’ve also got increasingly convincing. Look out for urgent language designed to panic you into acting fast, unexpected attachments, spelling errors and requests for passwords or personal information. Before clicking any link, hover over it to see where it actually goes. If your gut says something’s off, trust it.
4. Keep your apps and devices updated
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Software updates aren’t just about new features – they’re often patching security vulnerabilities that hackers are actively trying to exploit. Keeping your email apps and devices up to date is one of the simplest and most effective things you can do. Turn on automatic updates wherever possible so it just happens in the background without you having to think about it.
5. Use antivirus software
Good antivirus software catches threats before they can do any damage. Make sure you keep yours up to date and get into the habit of scanning email attachments before you download them – even if they appear to come from someone you know. Compromised accounts can send malicious files without their owners having any idea. With Virgin Media Advanced Security you’re protected by our watertight antivirus security (even on third-party apps).
6. Be careful on public WiFi
Free WiFi is convenient, but open networks can be risky. On an unsecured connection it’s much easier for attackers to intercept data passing back and forth – including passwords and messages (although Virgin Media Advanced Security’s Password Vault will help to keep your details safe). If you need to check your email on the go, mobile data is safer.
7. Check your email privacy settings
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This one takes about five minutes, and most people never do it. Head into your email settings and turn off automatic image loading – this blocks hidden tracking pixels that tell senders when you’ve opened their messages. While you’re there, have a look at which third-party apps have access to your email account and remove anything you don’t recognise or no longer use.
8. Let your spam filter do its job
Your email’s built-in spam filter is pretty good these days, but it gets better the more you help it. When suspicious emails do slip through, mark them as spam rather than just deleting them – it trains the filter to catch similar messages in future. You can also set up custom rules to keep newsletters and promotional emails separate from your important mail, so nothing important gets buried.
9. Encrypt sensitive emails
If you need to share genuinely sensitive information – financial details, personal documents, anything you’d be uncomfortable with a stranger reading – plain email isn’t the safest option. Use password-protected attachments or an encrypted email service to make sure only the person you’re sending to can actually read what you’ve written.
10. Never send personal information by email
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Banks, broadband providers, PayPal, HMRC – none of them will ever ask you to send passwords, account numbers or personal ID by email. If you get a message requesting that kind of information, it’s a scam, full stop. Don’t reply, don’t click any links, mark it as spam and delete it.
Quick recap: email safety at a glance
Use strong, unique passwords for every account, and a password manager to keep track of them all.
Turn on two-factor authentication – it blocks the vast majority of automated attacks instantly.
Stay alert to phishing – check sender details carefully, hover over links before clicking, and report anything suspicious.
Keep your devices and apps updated so hackers can’t exploit known security gaps.
Avoid public WiFi for sensitive emails, or use your mobile data if you have no other option.
Never send personal information by email – no legitimate company will ever ask for it that way.
Frequently asked questions about email safety
Common signs include urgent or threatening language, requests for personal information or passwords, spelling mistakes, unexpected attachments and sender addresses that don’t quite match the organisation they claim to be from. Hovering over any links before clicking will show you where they actually lead.
Don’t panic – but act quickly. Disconnect from the internet, run a virus scan on your device, change the password for your email account and any other accounts that might be affected and enable two-factor authentication if you haven’t already. If your financial information may have been compromised, contact your bank immediately.
Phishing is when cybercriminals send emails pretending to be from a trusted source – your bank, a delivery company, a streaming service – to trick you into handing over personal details or clicking a malicious link. It’s the most common form of email scam and is getting increasingly sophisticated.
Opening an email is generally low-risk – the danger comes from clicking links or downloading attachments. That said, if an email looks suspicious, it’s best to delete it without engaging with it at all.
Two-factor authentication (2FA) means logging in requires both your password and a second form of verification – usually a code from an app on your phone. You absolutely need it. Microsoft estimates it blocks 99.9% of automated attacks on accounts.
Good antivirus software will catch a lot of malware and malicious attachments before they can cause damage. But it’s not a complete substitute for good habits – no software will stop you from voluntarily typing your password into a fake website. Both layers of protection matter.
Keep your inbox safe with Virgin Media's Essential Security
Protecting your email is easier when your broadband comes with built-in safety. Every Virgin Media package includes Essential Security at no extra cost. This means it’s always switched on and protects any devices connected to your home network, blocking phishing attempts, viruses, and other malicious content.
Choose from superfast and ultrafast broadband deals, from 130Mbps up to 1Gbps and beyond. Whether you’re streaming, gaming or working from home, you’ll get the speed and protection you need
Not sure what’s available in your area? Check out all of our broadband deals and enter your postcode to find the perfect package for your home.
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Virgin Media Advanced Security: New Virgin Media Advanced Security customers only. Registration required. One subscription per Virgin Media customer. Not available on BlackBerry. Unlimited devices, after the first 15 devices will need to be registered via F-Secure. £3.50 per month or annual subscription for £35 after trial period. See here for full details.
