Question

You receive a suspicious email, and suspect that it has been sent by a malicious party. The FROM field in the email says the email was sent by someone you trust. Can you trust the contents of the email? What more can you do to check its authenticity?

Short answer

No, you cannot trust it yet. Verify by checking headers, examining content for inconsistencies, and contacting the sender through another means.

Step-by-step solution

Understand Email Spoofing

Email spoofing is when an email's FROM field is manipulated to display a trusted email address, even though the email comes from an untrusted source. This technique is often used in phishing to trick recipients into opening harmful content.

Inspect the Email Headers

Check the email headers to see the path the email has taken. Pay particular attention to the 'Received' headers for discrepancies, and verify that the sending server's IP address matches the organization from which it supposedly came.

Hover over Links without Clicking

Hover over any links embedded in the email to see the actual URL. If the URL does not match the organization’s domain or looks suspicious, it may indicate a phishing attempt.

Look for Strange Details

Examine the email for unusual grammar, spelling errors, or inconsistencies in formatting. Such signs can indicate a fraudulent email.

Contact the Supposed Sender

Reach out to the sender through a different method of communication, like a phone call, to verify whether they sent the email.

Use an Email Authentication Tool

Apply tools like DKIM, SPF, or DMARC records to verify the authenticity of the sender’s email server. These protocols help establish whether an email domain is authorized to send emails.

Key concepts

Email Spoofing

Email spoofing is a deceptive practice where the sender alters the email address in the "From" field to make it appear as though the email was sent by a trustworthy entity. It is a common technique used by scammers to trick recipients into engaging with harmful content, like phishing attempts. When you receive an email that looks suspicious, especially if it purports to be from someone you trust, it’s crucial to understand that the "From" field in an email can be faked very easily. This is why verifying the source of the email before taking any action on its contents is essential.

• Spoofing manipulates email headers to disguise the sender’s true origin.
• This method is mainly employed to gain sensitive information or spread malware.
• Understanding spoofing can help protect against fraudulent activities.

Recognizing spoofed emails starts with vigilance and cautious examination of the email details.

Phishing Prevention

Phishing is a fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information, and preventing it starts with identifying and avoiding these threats. Awareness is the best defense against phishing. When an email seems suspicious, do not click on any links or download any attachments. Always approach such emails with skepticism until you can verify their legitimacy.

• Hover over links to see if the URLs are genuine before clicking them.
• Check for poor grammar, spelling mistakes, and generic greetings, which are common in phishing emails.
• Use anti-phishing tools and regularly update security software.

Additionally, stay informed about the latest phishing techniques to recognize emerging threats. Educating yourself and others about these tactics can drastically reduce the risk of falling victim to a phishing attack.

Email Authentication Techniques

Email authentication techniques are vital tools in verifying the legitimacy of an email and the domain from which it was sent. They help determine whether the sending email server is authorized to send on behalf of the domain. The most common email authentication techniques include SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.

• SPF (Sender Policy Framework): SPF verifies that the sender’s IP address is authorized to send mail for a particular domain.
• DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail): DKIM uses digital signatures to ensure the email’s integrity and that it hasn’t been altered in transit.
• DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance): DMARC builds on both SPF and DKIM, providing a mechanism for receiving email servers to report back on emails that fail authentication.

Implementing these techniques is an effective way to combat email spoofing and protect against fraudulent emails, offering an additional layer of security.

Email Headers Inspection

Inspecting email headers is a crucial step in verifying the authenticity of an email. Email headers contain invisible information that details the path an email took to reach you, offering insights into its true origin. By analyzing these headers, you can spot inconsistencies or red flags that suggest spoofing or phishing attempts.

• Start by looking at the "Received" fields to trace the email’s journey through various servers.
• Check the originating IP address to see if it matches with the purported sender’s domain.
• Look for any discrepancies or anomalies in the email routing details that might reveal fraudulent activity.

Email header inspection may seem technical initially, but it’s a worthwhile skill to develop. It serves as an additional tool in your security toolkit to verify emails, helping prevent being duped by cybercriminal tactics.