E-mail privacy is the term used for protecting mails from gaining unauthorized access. Privacy is an important factor, which is constitutionally enforceable in countries across the world.  In United States, which is the world’s most powerful country, it is the Fourth Amendment in its constitution. It drives the policy of correspondence. Similarly, it has a guarantee in the Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Since, this form a part of the written law, hence any individual does not have any right to say anything.

The national security along with safety of the public and economic well-being holds great importance.  It helps in peaceful upbringing of the country.   Hence, the article limits itself if the rule of Article 8 in the constitution contravenes with national interest.

We are increasingly dependent on computers as we send emails to one another while doing business transactions with our esteemed clients. Since, we transfer all types of sensitive information online, hence, it becomes very important and necessary that we should abide by and strictly follow e-mail privacy.

E-mail is quite an easy prey to all forms of malicious attacks from the hacker community online. It forms an example of a passive threat when the contents in the message become releasable. Similarly, on the other hand, it relates to an active threat when the content of the message become modifiable.  Given below are some aspects of email that one should know to protect his email privacy.

Disclosure of Information

Mostly the emails are not encrypted. Hence, it allows even the persons who are not designated to read the contents of the email.

Traffic analysis

Due to heightened security, which the world is seeing these days, especially in the wake of so many terrorist activities, messages in the form of emails are regularly monitored.  This practice is also a deterrent to malpractices, which have been rampant in politics as well.

Modification of messages

There is always a constant danger that the contents in the email become modifiable during storage or transport.  Any person with smart hacking techniques can easily get access of the ARP or Address Resolution Protocol and hence he can do whatever he feels like.

Masquerade

A message is communicable in anybody’s name or the name of the organization as well.

Forwarding of previous messages

There is a great chance that your previous messages reach other people. It is going to result in great confusion along with severe damage to the status and dignity of the organization. Similarly, it can be a source of great damage if the email orders transferring of funds, doing reservations along with others.

Spoofing

There is great chance that false messages might find its way into the mail system of other users.

Denial of Service

An overloaded mail system can look to be out of order. Hence, you need to be quite careful regarding everything. You can make a huge difference for sure by being careful.