Internet users use firewalls, antivirus software, and spam filters to protect their computers, accounts, websites, and mailboxes. Online retailers and service providers use anti-fraud systems to prevent fraudulent orders, account creations, abuse, and infrastructure misuse.
In 2020, computer security is more important than ever. Due to the spread of COVID-19, many people have been forced to work remotely and use computers and the Internet more frequently. So the bad guys did their dirty work.
Worst of all, you may be unaware of your vulnerability. Email spoofing occurs when spammers use your website or email domain to send spam and phishing emails.
- Email Spoofing
- Does Email Spoofing Damage Sender Reputation?
- How to Stop Domain Spoofing
- Conclusion
Email Spoofing
Spammers use email spoofing to make recipients believe the message is from a known organization or person. The sender forges the recipient’s email address. They are more likely to trust a name and email address they recognize.
Outgoing email servers cannot verify whether the sender’s email address is valid or spoofed. However, not all email services have email authentication protocols in place to detect and filter spoofed messages.
Receivers can check the email headers to see if the sender’s address is forged, but no one does it, which helps the bad guys. People are used to believing what they see. So they open emails, click malicious links, send personal data, and even wire funds.
Does Email Spoofing Damage Sender Reputation?
Some people fall for phishing emails, but others consider them spam and notify their ISP. ISPs consider user complaints when calculating sender reputation. In general, the more spam complaints, the worse the sender’s reputation.
The worst effect of email spoofing is message blocking. When an email provider receives too many complaints from users or your sender reputation deteriorates, it blocks emails from your domain. Non-delivery of important emails causes financial and reputational losses.
How to Stop Domain Spoofing
The good news is that domain owners can use email authentication mechanisms to avoid or mitigate the damage caused by email spoofing attacks. They are:
SPF (Sender Policy Framework)
An email domain owner must add a TXT record to DNS naming the IP addresses authorized to send emails from a domain. The receiving server verifies the SPF record. Human error and DNS issues can cause SPF to fail.
DKIM (Domain Key Identified Mail)
Adding a TXT record to DNS also works. DKIM uses cryptographic keys to sign outgoing messages and validate incoming messages to prevent message tampering. The DKIM signature can be forwarded without affecting the message’s authenticity. This is called a “replay attack”.
DMARC (Domain-Based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance)
This method combines the two above methods and provides the most protection when enforced. A DMARC TXT record is added to a domain’s DNS. If a message passes DMARC authentication, it is delivered to the intended recipient. When a message fails DMARC authentication, the email receiver consults the DMARC record’s policy.
DNS or human errors can break email authentication at any time. If you discover it within 24 hours, your important messages may have been filtered to Spam or blocked. Set up uptime monitors for SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records to avoid failed email campaigns.
Conclusion
Email security is a must, not a whim. By using email authentication, you not only protect your domain from email spoofing and maintain your brand’s reputation, but you also protect email users from email phishing attacks. With the right tools, you can automate domain monitoring and be notified of breaches before they cause irreparable damage.