Email is undoubtedly a very important service and used by users and companies. There are many suppliers that we can use. There are also multiple functions that we can perform, not only send and receive a message. However, being a platform so used also creates security problems. Many threats come through a simple e-mail. In this article, we will explain the problem of gift cards that we can not only receive through the mail but also through social networks. Let's talk about the danger and what they really keep behind.   Most security threats begin with an e-mail; everything you should keep in mind to avoid problems Email is a widely used means of communication. It is a service that is part of the daily life of many users and companies. However, it also has certain problems that may compromise security and privacy. Most security threats come through a simple e-mail. Therefore in this article, we wanted to review some security tips and recommendations to avoid compromising our devices and our privacy through email. Most security threats arrive by email Cybercriminals set their sights on what hosts many users. An example is an email, to which we must also add a wide range of possibilities it offers. By this we mean, for example, sending attachments. Also insert links, images, etc. Through an email, hackers could put the security of our equipment at risk. This is something that affects private users but also companies. Precisely the latter, security risks for companies, is something that has increased significantly in recent times due to lack of measures to avoid risks through e-mail. An example of attacks through email is Phishing. Cybercriminals seek to trick the victim into logging in or entering personal information on a site that pretends to be legitimate but is really a scam. We can also run into the sending of dangerous attachments and that by downloading or executing them, they can deploy their threats. Even QR images that open them redirect us to pages that have been maliciously configured. We are not mistaken if we say that the vast majority of Internet users have received a dangerous email at some time. Either an attempt at Phishing or sending a fraudulent file. The same happens when we refer to companies. Therefore, we must take into account some tips that we are going to mention. Tips to improve our security when using e-mail The most important thing is to have common sense. Without a doubt, it is the best protection to avoid Phishing attacks. We must always avoid accessing pages or platforms through links that we receive by email. We do not know if it can really be a scam attempt, so the ideal is to always enter from the official website through the browser. Nor should we answer spam emails or any message that asks us for data. Sometimes you can ask us for information to solve a problem, for example. Simply by responding to such an email we are already putting our security at risk. Sometimes they want us to reply to a message to verify that there is an active user behind that account. Of course, you have to pay close attention to the attached files. It doesn't matter if you have sent us a contact that we trust that email since that person could have been previously infected. We already saw in a previous article the most dangerous types of file extensions. Here are Top 5 Browser Extensions to Protect Your Privacy 2019 You always have to have security programs and tools and have updated equipment. On the one hand, security software can prevent malware from entering and block malicious files downloaded through an email. On the other hand, having updated systems can prevent cybercriminals from exploiting existing vulnerabilities. Patches and updates can correct these problems. We must not forget the security of our accounts. It is necessary to have a password that is strong and complex, to have whenever possible the authentication of two factors activated, as well as to be careful when it comes to logging on to third-party computers. Beware of the gift cards we receive Hackers constantly look for ways to attack users. They always find new methods so that their attacks are credible and pass the barrier of doubt. Among this type of attacks, we can highlight the Phishing, which aims to steal the credentials and passwords of the users. Now, cybercriminals use the way to reach the victim and be as successful as possible. Something that is very present lately is the gift cards. They can arrive by email, but even by social networks too. It is not a new tactic to use gift cards. However, hackers use this method to reach many users in a short time. In this way, the more users use the greater probability of success they will have. Basically what they do is send a supposed gift card to make a purchase online. Sometimes they supplant the identity of the company to which they are going to make that purchase or even pose as their boss to give more credibility as if it were a real gift. Among the most popular gift cards, we can mention Amazon, Google Play, Steam or Apple. We already know that electronic commerce is increasingly widespread. More and more users are making their purchases through the Internet. The problem is that these gift cards are actually a way to steal user information. Phishing attacks are hidden in images that pretend to be a gift card. They ask users to enter their credentials in order to get the prize. Actually, they are handing data to hackers. How to identify fake gift cards The important thing is to know how to identify fake gift cards. For this, something fundamental is to look closely at the sender. Generally, it will supplant the identity of some company or of a natural person, as we have mentioned. However, you will use a fake email address. There we can get the first clue. You also have to look at the text surrounding that gift card. Normally it will be an e-mail with a message explaining that we have obtained a prize, etc. Surely we find flaws in that text, which may be poorly translated or generate doubts in its content. If they reach us through social networks, the same. It is very likely that we will see that link in the account of a fake profile or bot. The actual link may be hidden in a shortened link. That is also a sign that we are facing a scam. But that card may also reach us through a third-party page that we have reached. Always avoid downloading any type of file from third-party sites that do not inspire confidence.