Email forwarding is a risk because it can lead to data
leakage, unauthorized access, and compliance and regulatory issues.
Data leakage: When employees forward company emails to their
personal email accounts or to unauthorized third-party email accounts, it can
lead to the disclosure of sensitive company information, such as trade secrets,
financial data, and personally identifiable information (PII). This information
could be used by malicious actors for identity theft, fraud, or other illegal
activities.
Unauthorized access: If an employee's personal email account
is hacked, the hacker could gain access to any emails that were forwarded to
that account, including sensitive company information. This could also give the
hacker access to the employee's other online accounts, such as their bank
account or social media profiles.
Compliance and regulatory issues: In some industries, such
as healthcare and finance, there are strict regulations governing the handling
of sensitive data. Forwarding emails that contain this type of data could put a
company at risk of violating these regulations and incurring fines or
penalties.
To mitigate the risks of email forwarding, businesses
should:
Only allow email forwarding in cases where it is absolutely
necessary.
Require employees to use a company-approved email client and
password manager.
Implement strong security controls, such as two-factor
authentication, on all email accounts.
Regularly monitor email activity for suspicious patterns.
Employees should also be aware of the risks of email
forwarding and should only forward emails when absolutely necessary. If they do
forward an email, they should remove any sensitive information before doing so.
Here are some additional tips to help you stay safe when
forwarding emails:
Only forward emails to trusted recipients.
Be careful about what information you include in the
forwarded email.
Do not forward emails that contain attachments, unless you
are sure they are safe.
If you are unsure about whether or not it is safe to forward
an email, err on the side of caution and do not forward it.
By following these tips, you can help protect yourself and
your company from the risks of email forwarding.
Is it OK to forward email without permission?
It is not generally okay to forward an email without
permission. Here are some reasons why:
It could violate the sender's privacy. The sender may have
intended the email for only you to see, and forwarding it without their
permission could be a breach of their trust.
It could contain sensitive information. The email may
contain sensitive information, such as financial data, personal information, or
trade secrets. Forwarding it without permission could put this information at
risk.
It could be illegal. In some cases, it may be illegal to
forward an email without permission. For example, if the email contains trade
secrets or other confidential information, forwarding it without permission
could be considered copyright infringement or theft of trade secrets.
There are some exceptions to this rule. For example, you
may be able to forward an email without permission if:
The email is spam or phishing.
The email is threatening or harassing.
The email is intended for a large group of people.
The email is part of a legal proceeding.
In general, it is best to err on the side of caution and ask
the sender for permission before forwarding an email. This will help to protect
their privacy and avoid any legal problems.
Here are some additional things to consider when deciding
whether or not to forward an email without permission:
The relationship you have with the sender. If you are close
friends or family members, they may be more likely to be okay with you
forwarding their emails without permission.
The content of the email. If the email contains sensitive
information, it is best to err on the side of caution and not forward it
without permission.
The purpose of forwarding the email. If you are forwarding
the email to help someone, such as to provide them with information or to warn
them about something, it is more likely to be okay to do so without permission.
If you are still unsure about whether or not to forward an
email without permission, it is always best to err on the side of caution and
ask the sender for permission.
What happens when an email is forwarded?
When you forward an email, a copy of the email is sent to
the new recipient. The original email is not changed, and the sender is not
notified that the email has been forwarded.
The forwarded email will typically include the following
information:
The original email's subject line
The original email's body text
Any attachments that were included in the original email
The name of the person who forwarded the email
The email address of the new recipient
The forwarded email may also include a message from the
person who forwarded the email, explaining why they are forwarding the email.
The new recipient can reply to the forwarded email, and
their reply will be sent to the original sender and the person who forwarded
the email.
Here are some things to keep in mind when forwarding
emails:
Be careful about what information you include in the
forwarded email. If the email contains sensitive information, such as financial
data or personal information, you should remove it before forwarding it.
Do not forward emails that contain attachments, unless you
are sure they are safe.
If you are unsure about whether or not it is safe to forward
an email, err on the side of caution and do not forward it.
By following these tips, you can help protect yourself and
others from the risks of forwarding emails.
