It happened to me, and it could happen to you. Years ago, a security breach at my hosting provider, who also managed my email, turned into a personal nightmare. I woke up locked out of my email, my password inexplicably reset. This was just the beginning. With control of my email, the attackers targeted my Amazon and PayPal accounts, initiating password resets and racking up fraudulent credit card charges in short order.
The realization of what was happening hit me fast, and I immediately contacted my hosting provider. It was a painstaking process to regain control, validating my identity while the attackers had already altered my account information and security questions. During that stressful call, the customer service representative revealed something alarming: they could access and tell me my complete password history, including when and to what it had been changed. Hearing that, I knew instantly: I had to switch Email Server Providers.
Don’t Let It Happen To Your Business: Choosing a Secure Email Server Provider
Looking back, there were red flags. I’d had nagging doubts about my provider’s security practices for years, small things I’d brushed aside, convincing myself I was overreacting. I was wrong. And if you have similar gut feelings about your current email server provider, you probably aren’t mistaken either.
Ignoring those instincts and staying with a potentially insecure provider out of convenience or because “everything seems fine” is a gamble you can’t afford to take. Imagine if a valuable corporate account is compromised. Spam is the least of your worries. My experience prompted the company I was working for at the time, who also used the same provider, to prioritize a rapid migration to a more secure email server provider.
Trust your instincts when it comes to security. Providers who exhibit lax security practices, like storing passwords in plain text or improperly configuring servers, often reveal a broader issue: a weak security culture. This kind of environment is the last place you want your mission-critical services, especially your email server, residing. Protect yourself and your business by choosing an email server provider that takes security as seriously as you do.
