We throw our email addresses around like confetti.
Sign up for a newsletter here, register for a free trial there, hand it over for Wi-Fi in the café… and we don’t think twice.
But here’s the truth:
Your email address alone is worth more to hackers than you might imagine.
Why Your Email Address Matters
- Password resets
Almost every account ties back to your email. If hackers know your address, they know where to aim for resets. - Credential stuffing
If your email appears in a data breach, hackers pair it with old leaked passwords and spray them across hundreds of sites. - Phishing attacks
With your email, crooks can send fake messages that look legit — banking scams, delivery notices, “urgent” warnings. - Identity building
Your email can reveal your name, age, or even job role. Combine that with info from social media, and suddenly they know a lot about you.
Real Example
In 2022, scammers targeted people by sending fake “delivery failure” emails.
The only thing they needed to launch the attack? A valid email address.
Tens of thousands of people clicked, handing over login details or card numbers — all starting from nothing more than a harvested email.
Do This Today
- Check if your email’s been breached
Use HaveIBeenPwned.com to see if your address is floating around in leaks. - Use unique passwords
Don’t let an old breach unlock all your accounts. - Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
Even if your email address and password leak, 2FA blocks most break-ins. - Consider email aliases
Services like ProtonMail or Apple’s “Hide My Email” let you use throwaway addresses for sign-ups. - Be picky where you share it
Don’t hand over your real address just to get 10% off a candle.
Key Takeaway
Your email address isn’t just an inbox — it’s the master key to your online world. Treat it like gold dust. The less you scatter it around, the fewer doors hackers can try to pry open.
At The Cyber Workshop, our Awareness Workshop teaches you how hackers use tiny bits of info (like an email address) to unravel the bigger picture. It’s simple, it’s practical, and it could stop you being the next easy target.
Till next time,
Think before you type your email into that random sign-up box — not every discount code is worth the risk.
