If you have a Gmail or Outlook.com email address, you can get your email faster if you use the official apps than if you rely on a standards-based mail client like Apple Mail or Mozilla Thunderbird. That’s because the apps use proprietary protocols that those clients do not. The tradeoff is having to see ads […]

The IRS is the only source of official guidance on tax refunds and stimulus payments. The agency doesn’t directly email individuals and will instead reach out only via mail. For all other information, the IRS website is your best bet, as it includes lots of FAQs and some online tools for helping you calculate tax […]

When you sign up for some online accounts or services, there may be a section that provides you with the option to receive email about other products and services. Sometimes there are options selected by default, so if you do not deselect them, you could begin to receive unwanted spam email from those lists as […]

Attackers have used email messages to direct users to websites hosting malicious files disguised as legitimate software updates. Users should also be suspicious of email messages that claim to have a software update file attached—these attachments may contain malware.

Carelessly downloading e-mail attachments can circumvent even the most vigilant anti-virus software. Never open an e-mail attachment from someone you don’t know and be wary of forwarded attachments from people you do know. They may have unwittingly advanced malicious code.

If you open an email that appears to be a scam, never download or click anything inside the message, including the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom. Hackers may try to trick you into thinking you’re opting out of receiving more emails by unsubscribing. In reality, clicking on the link could end up infecting your computer […]