How can normal people identify phishing emails when services rewrite headers?
Summary
What email marketers say11Marketer opinions
Email marketer from Troy Hunt's Blog explains that inspecting email headers can reveal the true sender and path of the email, but this is a technical process that most normal users won't be able to do.
Email marketer from Kaspersky shares that always verify the sender's identity by contacting them through a separate channel, such as a phone call or direct message. Don't rely solely on the email itself to confirm the sender's legitimacy.
Email marketer from Comparitech explains that look for inconsistencies in the email's design, such as mismatched logos, fonts, or color schemes. Phishing emails often lack the polish of legitimate communications.
Email marketer from Microsoft Support shares that common phishing tactics include spoofed sender addresses, urgent or threatening language, and requests for personal information. Users should be wary of emails that exhibit these characteristics.
Marketer from Email Geeks mentions that senders using Mailchimp would have received multiple email and in-app notifications about authentication, even if they may have ignored them.
Email marketer from Digital Guardian shares that be cautious of emails that create a sense of urgency or pressure you to act immediately. Phishers often use this tactic to bypass your critical thinking.
Email marketer from Norton shares that fake emails often have poor grammar, spelling errors, and generic greetings. Check the sender's email address for inconsistencies and be wary of emails that ask for personal information.
Email marketer from MailerCheck Blog shares that before clicking any links in an email, hover over them to see the actual URL. If the URL looks suspicious or doesn't match the sender's domain, it's likely a phishing attempt.
Email marketer from Federal Trade Commission responds that to avoid phishing scams, users should avoid clicking on links or opening attachments from unknown senders. Also, independently verify requests for information by contacting the organization directly.
Email marketer from Reddit explains that relying solely on the display name of the sender is not reliable, as it can be easily spoofed. Always check the actual email address to verify the sender's identity.
Email marketer from Heimdal Security Blog explains that avoid opening attachments from unknown senders, especially if they have unusual file extensions (like .exe or .zip) or if the email urges you to open them immediately.
What the experts say4Expert opinions
Expert from Email Geeks shares that Mailchimp had to make the decision to rewrite headers as part of the Yahoo and Google requirements.
Expert from Email Geeks explains that it's difficult for normal people to distinguish between real and phishing emails, especially when services like Mailchimp rewrite headers, even for legitimate senders like local candidates using Gmail.
Expert from Word to the Wise responds that sender authentication failures do not necessarily mean that an email is a phishing attempt or spam. It could be due to misconfiguration on the sender's side or issues with email forwarding.
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that relying on logos and branding within an email isn't always reliable, as phishers can easily replicate these elements. Always verify the sender's identity through other means.
What the documentation says4Technical articles
Documentation from IETF details that Sender Policy Framework (SPF) is an email authentication method that helps prevent spammers from forging the 'From' address in emails. Although end-users don't directly see it, it makes it harder for phishers to spoof legitimate domains.
Documentation from Google Help explains that Gmail automatically flags suspicious emails as potential phishing attempts. Users should pay attention to these warnings, even if the email appears to be from a legitimate source.
Documentation from Cloudflare details that Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance (DMARC) is an email authentication protocol that helps prevent email spoofing and phishing. While not directly visible to end-users, it improves email security.
Documentation from APWG details that phishing attacks often involve social engineering techniques to trick users into revealing sensitive information. Attackers may impersonate trusted entities or create a sense of urgency to bypass security measures.