Hey there, new email user! Whether you are new to computers, from a former generation without an email address, or maybe never had an email address and feel like it is time to get started. Maybe you are eager to explore more on your computer (or smartphone). Let us chat about getting you set up with a great free email service and making sure you stay safe while using it. No worries if you are feeling a bit overwhelmed – I will break it down nice and easy for you.
First, we will look at the most popular free email providers. You have plenty of options, but the big three you might want to check out are Gmail (Gmail.com – started in 2004), Outlook (Outlook.com – formerly Hotmail, 1996) , and Yahoo Mail (Yahoo.com or mail.yahoo.com – began in 1997, formerly Rocket Mail). They are solid choices, each with perks. Gmail has tons of storage and works great with other Google applications. Similarly, Outlook performs well with Microsoft Office products. Yahoo Mail is also easy to use, and fascinatingly, statistics indicate that the largest portion of people that use Yahoo Mail today are seniors. This could be since it provides more news on the front end, which they may be interested in more than others. If privacy is your top concern, ProtonMail (proton.me/mail) might be your best bet. And Zoho Mail (zoho.com/mail) is a good choice if you are thinking of later starting a business and you want to take it with you into that world.
Once you have picked your provider, setting up your account is a breeze. Just head to their website, look for a “Sign Up,” “Join,” or “Create account” button, and follow the prompts. You will need to create your own email address, which may be difficult since many names and topics are already in use. Next, you will create a password (more to follow), and verify your account with a phone number or another email address.
Using your new email is pretty simple. The choices are straightforward – you have a “Compose” or “New Message” button to write new emails. To answer an email, you previously received, you have a “Reply” button or link. And then the one that sometimes confuses people; “Forward” is used to pass along original messages to other people. Even though reply and forward seem about the same, remember that reply does not include file(s) that were attached to the original email and forward does. So, you forward email to people that have not seen it yet. You should also be able to organize emails in your inbox with folders or labels to keep things tidy.
But here is the crucial part – staying safe online. Scammers and hackers are always alert, trying to get their hands on your info. Here are a few key things to keep you protected. First, passwords. Make them strong and unique – mix uppercase and lowercase letters, throw in some numbers and symbols, and avoid using anything personal like your birthday. And please, consider using different passwords for different accounts. Make a phrase of words with a few numbers or a silly sentence with capitalization, numbers, and punctuation.
Watch out for phishing emails – these are tricky messages that try to fool you into giving away personal info or clicking on dodgy links. If an email looks questionable, do not believe it. Be extra careful with unexpected attachments or links, even if they seem to come from someone you know. Call or email them first, to check and make sure they sent it.
When you receive an email from a company asking you to log into your account, DO NOT click a link. Go to your browser and type in the address (URL) for the company and log in yourself.
Be smart about what personal info you share over email. Avoid sending super sensitive stuff like credit card numbers or your social security number through regular email. If you need to send something private, look into using encryption.
And finally, stay alert for common email scams. If someone is asking for money, even if it looks like it is coming from a friend, double-check with them, through another method before you do anything. The same goes for any email that is trying to get you to act quickly or threatening you with consequences if you do not respond right away. These are classic tactics used by scammers.
Remember, when it comes to email security, it is always better to be a little paranoid than to fall victim to a scam. If something feels off, trust your gut and investigate or avoid it. With these tips in mind, you will be emailing like a pro in no time!
