Threat actors are exploiting multiple SMTP servers and bypassing SPF, DKIM, and DMARC authentication

ByBrad Slavin Reading Time: 3 minutes

Cybersecurity works only if there are no vulnerabilities in the tools and protocols themselves. However, experts have recently found security loopholes in multiple hosted, outbound SMTP servers. These vulnerabilities allow authenticated email senders and some trusted networks to send emails with spoofed sender information. What this means, in simpler words, is that despite having email…

Configuring SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for Brevo (formerly Sendinblue)

ByBrad Slavin Reading Time: 3 minutes

Brevo is a digital marketing platform that caters to the marketing and communication needs of businesses. Its suite of tools and services includes email marketing, SMS marketing, marketing automation, CRM, landing pages, Facebook ads, and much more.  If you use Brevo for email marketing, then deploying SPF, DKIM, and DMARC or making changes to the…

Setting up SPF for Sophos

ByBrad Slavin Reading Time: 3 minutes

Sophos is a British security software and hardware company that offers a suite of products. It specializes in communication endpoints, encryption, network security, email security, mobile security, and unified threat management. Sophos provides solutions for businesses and consumers to protect against malware, viruses, ransomware, and other cyber threats. Configuring SPF for Sophos Sender Policy Framework…

Does SPF break for forwarded emails and mailing lists?

Does SPF break for forwarded emails and mailing lists?

ByBrad Slavin Reading Time: 3 minutes

The one-word answer to the above question is ‘yes.’ Here’s a detailed answer to it. SPF breaks when you forward emails because it encounters SPF validation issues. This happens because when you resend an email, it uses its own IP address and not the one used by the original sender. Since SPF relies on checking…

Trello data breach results in massive exposure of data on the dark web!

ByBrad Slavin Reading Time: 4 minutes

Big and small brands across the globe are falling prey to cyberattacks, and this time, it is Trello– the insanely popular project management tool. A hacker who goes by the name “Emo” has leaked 21.1 GB worth of data on a cybercrime platform. Emo claimed that he had stolen the data back in January 2024….

Are Your SPF and DKIM Identifiers Aligned?

ByBrad Slavin Reading Time: 5 minutes

As you know, DMARC is based on SPF and DKIM, and the alignment of both these protocols is crucial for its processing. Identifier alignment builds a connection between the authentication flow of SPF and DKIM while also dictating the DMARC policy subjected to illegitimate emails sent from your domain.  The two DMARC alignments– strict and…

Generative artificial intelligence and machine learning are overcoming the limitations of traditional cybersecurity measures

Generative artificial intelligence and machine learning are overcoming the limitations of traditional cybersecurity measures

ByBrad Slavin Reading Time: 3 minutes

Threat actors are leveraging the speed and accuracy of artificial intelligence to launch sophisticated, difficult-to-detect cyberattacks. AI has enabled them to generate malware or malicious software that transforms to dodge security filters as well as the human eye.  According to a report released by Deep Instinct, 75% of security professionals were targets of cyberattacks in…

What is the ‘554 5.7.5’ permanent error in DMARC and how to fix it?

ByBrad Slavin Reading Time: 7 minutes

The response from the remote server was: Have you been receiving this error message lately? If so, then your DMARC has an issue – it has encountered a “554 5.7.5 Permanent Error Evaluating DMARC Policy” error when sending emails. This triggers the email delivery process, ultimately causing emails to either land in spam folders or…

What is ARC (Authenticated Received Chain) and its role in email security?

ByBrad Slavin Reading Time: 5 minutes

ARC or Authenticated Received Chain helps overcome the shortfalls of DMARC, further strengthening the overall email security standards. ARC is an extension of the existing email authentication standards– SPF, DKIM, and DMARC– that has opened gates for validating the sending sources of emails when they pass through multiple intermediate servers. Let’s delve deeper into understanding…