Free Email Services Can Still Cost You:

Is Free Worth the Price?

 

Web-based email services are up and coming. You have probably experienced the phenomenon with Hotmail, Yahoo! Mail, or Gmail. Have you ever received a message from a stranger prompting you to click on a hyperlink? This happens when spammers use a fake return email address. However, if a similar situation occurs and the return address belongs to someone you know, it is more than likely that your acquaintance's personal account was compromised.

Breaches like this can happen because of the popularity of these free web-based services; most of the time the account owner has a simple recurring password. Business owners should avoid the use of these free services for their operations because the risks and potential consequences are too high. A client or partner receiving spam from your account is one of the many possible problems that can result. 

Another note for business owners; the use of free services give out an unprofessional image to clients and potential clients. Your business email address should use a domain name that includes the name of your business (i.e., what comes after the "@" symbol and before the ".com" suffix).

It is relatively inexpensive to register a domain name for your business and host your company's email on it. The price is well worth the security and piece of mind that does not come with the use of a free web-based service.