Are Email Marketing tools safe for your business?

Digital Email Marketing tools pose an important role for companies sending out commercial campaigns to large audiences. There are, however, issues regarding the safety of own company.

What are these tools about?

Mailchimp, SendMail, and many other Email Marketing tools are intuitive, all-in-one platforms for email marketing, enabling businesses to design, manage, and distribute email campaigns effectively. These tools are particularly favored by entrepreneurs and freelancers for its user-friendly interface and robust features, which include:

• Campaign Creation: Easily design newsletters and promotional emails without advanced design skills.
• Audience Management: Organize customer lists and track email preferences and engagement.
• Automation: Set up triggered emails based on customer actions, such as welcome messages or purchase reminders.
• Analytics: Measure campaign success with detailed insights into open rates, clicks, and conversions.

Additionally, these tools integrate seamlessly with over 300 popular business tools, including e-commerce platforms, CRMs, and social media services.

The differences between Email Marketing and Email Transactional relays

The Email Marketing tools - as the name says - are aimed at wider audiences - which may or may not be interested in the business / commercial / announcements of the sender organization.

The Email Relay are aimed at sending emails to audiences expecting those emails and with a content not marketing related. Typical examples are invoices, subscriptions, and even Machine-to-user systems, such as printers.  

Security issues regarding such tools

While these tools are a convenient way to connect with customers, businesses should be aware of potential security vulnerabilities, including:

• Data Breaches: Hackers may target the platform to access sensitive business and customer information.
• Phishing Attacks: Fraudsters might impersonate your business or the tool itself to obtain confidential details.
• Weak Account Security: Accounts with inadequate passwords or no two-factor authentication (2FA) are at higher risk of unauthorized access.
• Device Security: Accessing such tools on unsecured devices can lead to data exposure or malware infections.
• Human Error: Mistakes like sending emails to the wrong audience or unintentionally sharing private data can compromise security.

Best Practices for using these tools

Step 1: Strengthen Your Password and Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

• Use a unique, robust password distinct from those for other accounts.
• Consider a password manager to securely generate and store passwords.
• Add an extra layer of security by requiring a verification code for account access

Step 2: Set User Permissions and Manage Privacy Controls

• Assign appropriate access levels for team members and limit admin roles to trusted individuals.
• Configure your audience settings to restrict data visibility and ensure proper handling of sensitive information.

Step 3: Monitor Login Activity

Regularly review login records to detect suspicious activity.

Step 4: Secure Team Devices

Encourage your team to:

• Use antivirus software.
• Keep devices updated.
• Avoid public Wi-Fi or use a VPN when accessing such tools

Step 5: Turn Off Data Analytics Sharing

Opt-out of data analytics projects and personalized advertising settings if privacy concerns arise.

... And remember to Enhance your Email ecosystem beyond such tools

For comprehensive protection, consider solutions such as:

• Email phishing detection.
• Scam monitoring and prevention.
• Password management tools.
• VPN services for secure remote work.
• Real-time malware protection.