Does SPF break for forwarded emails and mailing lists?

Does SPF break for forwarded emails and mailing lists?

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!

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….

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

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…

Which IP addresses you should not add to your SPF records?

The foremost step of creating an SPF record is enlisting all the IP addresses and mail servers that you want to add to it. These should be all the authorized sources from which you, your employees, third-party vendors, and other brand representatives can send emails.  The reason you need to be careful while listing the…

SPF vs DKIM vs DMARC: The Battle of Email Authentication Protocols

SPF vs DKIM vs DMARC: The Battle of Email Authentication Protocols

You might have heard a lot about email authentication and how implementing protocols like SPF (Sender Policy Framework), DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail), and DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) can help you strengthen your defenses against cybersecurity threats. In the ongoing battle against email-based threats like phishing, spoofing, and spam, these three protocols are…

New Update: Microsoft Joins Forces for Stronger Email Authentication

It was not long ago when Google and Yahoo revamped their email-sending policies and made DMARC authentication a mandatory exercise for organizations sending more than 5,000 emails a day. The aim of these mail service providers was simple— to build a cyber-resilient digital ecosystem. Recently, another major ESP— Microsoft, jumped the bandwagon and announced that it…

7 Myths and Misconceptions about Sender Policy Framework

7 Myths and Misconceptions about Sender Policy Framework

Understanding the realities and limitations of the Sender Policy Framework (SPF) is crucial for making informed decisions about your email security. Believing in SPF myths can lead to a false sense of security, potentially putting your system at risk. For example, the misconception that SPF is self-sufficient could lead to a lack of additional security…

Background of Scott Kitterman and His Contribution to Sender Policy Framework

Email security was a headache for tech giants (and even some smaller companies) in the late 1990s. It was the time when threat actors started exploiting email communications to attempt impersonation, spoofing, and phishing-based attacks in the names of reputed companies and domain owners. Considering the rise in email-based cyber menaces, many experts got involved…

The Role and Relevance of DNS SPF Records for Email Authentication

Email authentication, a crucial practice in today’s digital world, is the process of verifying the true identity of an email sender. By implementing robust protocols, domain administrators and business owners can effectively combat phishing and spoofing attacks that often exploit their brand identity. SPF or Sender Policy Framework, is one of the oldest email authentication…

Understanding Homoglyphing: The Craft of Deception in Phishing Attacks 

Understanding Homoglyphing: The Craft of Deception in Phishing Attacks 

Have you ever come across a URL that seems legitimate at first glance, yet there is something fishy about it? In most cases, if you look closely, you will notice something slightly strange about these websites, perhaps a character that doesn’t quite fit or a slight variation in the spelling. This is a classic case…