Email Security Tools Are A Necessity
When most of us hear the term "email security," we think about things like password security and questionable mail attachments. Unfortunately, even the most secure email provider out there doesn't offer protection against every mail threat that comes your way. This is why everyone needs the best email security software they can afford—it keeps your personal data and your inbox safe from hackers and other cyber attacks.
Best Email Security Solutions
Since email security best practices are important to nearly every individual with an email address, there are hundreds of options for mailbox security. However, not every company offers the same quality tools, so it’s important to find the best solutions based on your budget and needs instead of waiting until you have been pwned to act.
We have reviewed seven popular email protection software solutions and summarized our insights in a comparison table to help you discover which is best for you. For an in-depth analysis of each solution, read on.
| Spam Filtering |
| Antivirus |
| Denial of Service Attack Protection |
| Phishing Protection |
| Integration with Office365 |
| Email Attachment Protection |
| Data Leak Prevention |
| Avanan | Barracuda | N-able | Proofpoint | SpamTitan | IRONSCALES | Cisco |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Avanan
Avanan Email Security offers protection against viruses, phishing, malware, data loss, and account compromises. It uses advanced AI technology to block malicious attacks before they can reach your inbox.
Avanan also analyzes each user’s email history, which allows it to quickly detect mail fraud and user impersonations, which can be a serious issue if undetected. The tool offers protection for nearly any mail service provider, plus other collaborative apps like Microsoft 365, G Suite, Slack, and more.
Avanan’s pricing starts out at just $3.60/month per user for their basic plan, and their Complete Security package starts at $6/month per user. However, enterprise customers with more than 500 mail users will need to obtain a custom quote directly from Avanan.
While Avanan is one of the more sophisticated email security solutions out there, it is also one of the most complicated to operate. For this reason, you may need a very tech-savvy person on your team to help with setup and regular use.
2. Barracuda
Barracuda Email Protection is a cloud-based security software that protects users against all 13 types of mail threats such as malware, phishing, denial-of-service attacks, and spam. It utilizes machine learning to achieve the highest accuracy in threat detection. Barracuda also offers encryption and mail attachment protection, meaning you don't have to worry about an email data breach.
Barracuda offers three different plan options: advanced, premium, and premium plus. Unfortunately, the company does not publicly provide their pricing information, which makes it hard to compare apples to apples with other top email security software providers.
3. N-able Mail Assure
N-able Mail Assure offers protection against viruses, spam, malware, ransomware, phishing, and nearly any other type of email threat. The system offers email protection tools both for incoming and outgoing mail, and features like the system’s authentication techniques help keep everyone’s inbox safe. N-able Mail Assure also offers integration with Office365 and unlimited mail archiving.
Although N-able offers a free email security software trial without requiring any payment methods, they don't disclose their pricing without a direct quote from their sales team. This can be a turnoff for some customers, but it really just depends on what you’re looking for in terms of mail security.
4. Proofpoint
Proofpoint Email Protection offers a robust amount of mail security, including antivirus and antispam protection. The company includes data loss prevention and outbound filtering as well, not to mention other email management features. Furthermore, Proofpoint offers tools like email encryption, imposter mail protection, and report features.
Proofpoint protection starts out at $2.95/month per user for the base plan and goes up to $6.95/month per user for their highest level tier. However, the company also offers a free trial of their product, which is great for users who like to test drive a new software before buying it.
The newest version of the software offers mail attachment protection through its Proofpoint Essentials Attachment Defense technology, placing it on equal footing with its competitors.
5. SpamTitan
SpamTitan is an advanced email security software that's specifically designed for businesses and other large organizations. It offers protection against malware, phishing, denial-of-service attacks, spam, and more. Additionally, SpamTitan includes custom filtering tools, data leak prevention, and email encryption.
To access SpamTitan pricing, users must fill out a form on their pricing page. Instant quotes are available for companies with up to 100 users. For those with more users, the team will offer a personalized quote. Although prices are above the market average, the exceptional features justify the premium, particularly for Office365 users, thanks to seamless integration.
Users may find it advantageous that tech support is included with TitanHQ’s cybersecurity products and can be accessed via phone or by submitting a ticket through their support portal.
6. IRONSCALES
IRONSCALES is an advanced integrated cloud email security platform that uses adaptive AI and ML technology, enriched with insights from over 20,000 threat hunters, to protect its users against sophisticated threats. The key feature of this service is its ability to integrate seamlessly with your email environment using a powerful API in order to provide robust, automated protection that evolves in real time.
Unlike many less comprehensive email protection services, IRONSCALES offers auto-remediation with its Security Operations Center (SOC). This capability reduces the workload on IT teams and minimizes the potential impact of attacks.
Pricing for IRONSCALES can meet the needs of both small and large organizations. The service offers a free Starter plan, which includes features like phishing simulation testing and a mobile email security app for the admins. For more comprehensive protection, the IRONSCALES Protect plan provides a suite of advanced features, and discounts are available for organizations with more than 500 mailboxes.
7. Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense
Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense is a cloud-based security solution that protects users against a wide range of threats, including phishing, ransomware, and business email compromise (BEC). It uses advanced threat detection techniques, including machine learning, artificial intelligence, and threat intelligence from Cisco Talos, to identify malicious emails, and it provides a variety of remediation options directly in the platform or through Cisco XDR.
Cisco provides a free trial for its email security solution, allowing potential users to assess its features. Given that paid plans are quite costly and customized for each company, it's wise to use the trial. While Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense may be too much for small businesses, it could be a valuable investment for large enterprises dealing with complex and numerous email threats.
How To Choose The Right Email Security Service
Even after comparing dozens of email security services, you may still feel like you don't know how to choose the right mail security software for yourself as an individual or for your company. While mail security is anything but a one-size-fits-all solution, there are some factors that can help anyone decide which solution to choose.
When selecting security services for your mailbox, you want to look for a solution that:
- Is easy to set up and use
- Provides adequate protection
- Offers strong filtering accuracy
- Includes phishing protection
- Encrypts data
- Is customizable to meet your needs
- Connects well with your other business tools
Protect Your Inbox Even More With Clean Email
Although Clean Email is not an email security tool, it does offer several useful features that can help you avoid phishing attacks and protect your inbox from hackers.
The Privacy Monitor feature checks if your mail account was compromised. If a data breach is found, the Privacy Monitor will advise you on what steps to take in order to re-secure your account.
These steps may include changing your password, enabling two-factor authentication, or using a password manager to diversify passwords on each of your accounts. Privacy Monitor is completely free for all Clean Email users and meets all privacy and safety requirements.
Mail addresses, especially those that are publically available, can be added to spam lists and bombarded with malicious messages. Clean Email’s Screener feature can help by intercepting these unwanted messages before they even reach your inbox. There, you can allow or block them in a secure environment.
However, email security shouldn't just focus on preventing attacks but also on emphasizing organization and effective inbox management. A cluttered and disorganized inbox makes it easier to overlook important messages or accidentally click on a malicious link.
For instance, the Unsubscriber feature can be the first step towards reducing the amount of clutter in your inbox. With just a few clicks, you can quickly unsubscribe from multiple newsletters and promotional emails at once, saving you time and making it easier to focus on trustworthy messages from real senders.
Moreover, the Auto Clean feature lets you set up automated rules to automatically move, delete, archive, or take other actions on emails based on criteria like sender, subject, age, and more. This helps keep your inbox organized and greatly reduces the chance of accidentally clicking on a spam link buried under a pile of unread messages.
With a steadfast commitment to privacy and security, Clean Email offers mobile apps for managing emails on the go, a web-based interface, and a free trial to explore premium features. It is an excellent addition to any native or third-party inbox security measures.
Best Email Security Software - FAQs
What are email security services?
Email security services are software tools designed to protect mail accounts and communications from unauthorized access, loss, or compromise.
What security is used in emails?
Email security often employs encryption, anti-spam filters, anti-virus protection, and phishing detection to safeguard digital communications.
What is the best email protection software?
Mail security isn't a one-size-fits-all solution, which means there isn't a single best email protection software out there. Instead, users should look for email security solutions that meet all of their needs for an affordable price.
Why do I need email security?
Inbox security is essential to protect sensitive information from cyber threats, prevent unauthorized access, and ensure the privacy and integrity of digital communications.
