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Email Security

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Email Security

Email (Electronic Mail) is a method of sending and receiving digital messages over a computer network or the Internet. Common email providers include: Microsoft Outlook Gmail Yahoo Mail Proton Mail Example: Plain Text sender@example.com ↓ Internet ↓ recipient@example.com Email allows users to send: Messages Documents Images Spreadsheets Presentations Links Parts of an Email Plain Text From: john@example.com To: jane@example.com Subject: Meeting Schedule   Message Body From The sender's email address. To The recipient's email address. Subject A short summary of the message. Body The content of the message. Attachment Files attached to the email. How Email Works Email uses three main protocols: Protocol Purpose PortSMTP Send Email 25, 587 POP3 Download Email 110 IMAP Synchronize Email 143 SMTP Simple Mail Transfer Protocol Used to send email. Plain Text Outlook → SMTP Server → Recipient POP3 Post Office Protocol v3 Downloads email from the server to a device. IMAP Internet Message Access Protocol Synchronizes email across multiple devices. Most modern email services use IMAP. What is Email Security? Email security is the protection of email accounts, messages, attachments, and email systems from unauthorized access, malware, phishing, and other cyber threats. Email is one of the most common attack vectors used by cybercriminals. Common Email Threats Phishing Fake emails designed to steal information. Example: Plain Text "Your bank account is locked. Click here immediately." The link leads to a fake website. Spear Phishing A targeted phishing attack against a specific person. Example: Plain Text "Hi John, Please review this payroll document." The attacker knows the victim's name and role. Business Email Compromise (BEC) An attacker impersonates a manager or executive. Example: Plain Text "Wire $50,000 to this account immediately." Used in financial fraud. Malware Attachments Emails may contain: Viruses Trojans Ransomware Spyware Example: Plain Text Invoice.pdf.exe Opening the file infects the computer. Spam Unwanted bulk email. Examples: Advertisements Scams Fraudulent offers Email Spoofing An attacker forges the sender information. Example: Plain Text ceo@company.com `` may actually be sent by an attacker. Email Security Controls Spam Filters Automatically identify and block unwanted messages. Plain Text Spam Email ↓ Junk Folder Antivirus Scanning Checks email attachments for malware. Plain Text Attachment ↓ Scan ↓ Allow or Block Multifactor Authentication (MFA) Protects email accounts. Example: Plain Text Password + Phone Verification Even if a password is stolen, the attacker may not gain access. Encryption Protects email content from being read by unauthorized users. Email in Transit Uses: Plain Text TLS to encrypt communication between mail servers. Email at Rest Stored messages may also be encrypted. Digital Signatures Verify: Sender identity Message integrity Recipients can verify that the message has not been altered. SPF, DKIM, and DMARC These technologies help prevent spoofing. SPF Sender Policy Framework Defines which mail servers may send email for a domain. DKIM DomainKeys Identified Mail Adds a digital signature to messages. DMARC Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting and Conformance Uses SPF and DKIM results to determine whether an email is legitimate. Together they help reduce phishing and spoofing attacks. Secure Email Best Practices ✅ Use strong passwords ✅ Enable MFA ✅ Be cautious with attachments ✅ Verify unexpected requests ✅ Don't click suspicious links ✅ Keep email software updated ✅ Use spam filters ✅ Train users to recognize phishing ✅ Encrypt sensitive email Email Security Gateway An email security gateway sits between users and the Internet. Plain Text Internet | Email Security Gateway | Users It can: Block spam Detect malware Filter phishing emails Enforce security policies Examples: Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Proofpoint Mimecast Security+ Exam Tips Know These Protocols Plain Text SMTP = Send Mail   POP3 = Download Mail   IMAP = Synchronize Mail   Know These Threats Phishing Spear Phishing BEC Spoofing Spam Malware Attachments Know These Protections MFA SPF DKIM DMARC Encryption Spam Filters Quick Memory Trick Plain Text Email Security = Protect the Account + Protect the Message + Protect the User Simple Definition Email is a system for sending and receiving electronic messages over a network. Email security is the collection of technologies and practices used to protect email accounts, messages, and attachments from phishing, malware, spoofing, spam, unauthorized access, and data theft. AllPeoplePeopleFilesFilesMeetingsMeetings
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