A partner of mine recently sent me an email intended for a client of his from his side business. I avoided looking at the details once I suspected it was a mistake but it was a lengthy conversation thread several emails long full of conversation about business deals and pricing. This of course got me thinking about how secure we should really feel about email.

How safe should we really feel about email conversations, is email private and should we use it for all business. My general feeling is that we shouldn't use email for anything we wouldn't want floating around the digital ether of cyber-space. I never really considered the email privacy issues, only email security issues.

I use several email addresses and I have sent an email from the wrong server which would have arrived from thejpproject.com rather than thebsuinessImeant.com but I am very transparent with my clients and partners so it was probably barely noticed if at all. Some things are more harmful in the course of business, and can threaten an otherwise solid relationship. Image sending a dirty joke to a conservative minded client or a PTA parent. Imagine sending log in details a group of school mates, or credit card details to all the recipients of a chain letter.

About 2 days before the mistaken email from my partner, a client sent me credit card information via email. Complete with expiration date, name, and CVV number. Credit card information is something I try to always avoid handling but when I do I always get it over a phone call. Fortunately for him my holiday shopping was already done (wink) but it could have been bad.

Email doesn't have to be intercepted by anonymous hackers from dank basements to harm your business or your personal life.