Lots of spam relies on generators that try different variations of email addresses at certain domains. If you click a link within an email message or reply to a certain address, you are just verifying that your email address is valid. Unwanted messages that offer an “unsubscribe” option are particularly tempting, but this is often […]

Most organizations – banks, colleges, companies, etc. – don’t ask for your personal information over email. Don’t divulge personally identifiable information (PII) online such as your full name, telephone number, address, credit card information, social security number, or doctor’s name. Avoid opening attachments, clicking on links, or responding to email messages from unknown senders or […]

Loading an HTML email from an unreliable source could expose you to malicious content. If you want to disable images from automatically loading in Gmail, click the Settings button, and in the General section, scroll down to Images. You can select “Ask before displaying external images.” If you’re on mobile, you’ll have to select your […]

If you suspect there might be an unauthorized user on your Google Account, you can check which devices are logged into it. From any Google application, click on your user icon, then select “Manage your Google Account.” Navigate to the Security menu, and find the section labeled “Your devices.” If you don’t recognize something, follow […]

If you have a Gmail or Outlook.com email address, you can get your email faster if you use the official apps than if you rely on a standards-based mail client like Apple Mail or Mozilla Thunderbird. That’s because the apps use proprietary protocols that those clients do not. The tradeoff is having to see ads […]

The IRS is the only source of official guidance on tax refunds and stimulus payments. The agency doesn’t directly email individuals and will instead reach out only via mail. For all other information, the IRS website is your best bet, as it includes lots of FAQs and some online tools for helping you calculate tax […]