Do you authenticate senders in Outlook?
Phishing attacks are one of the most common cyber security threats. Attackers try to obtain sensitive information by impersonating trusted senders. Therefore, it is crucial to know how to authenticate emails, especially in Microsoft Outlook.
How do I verify the sender in Outlook?
- Check the email address: when you receive an email, check the sender’s address carefully. Fraudsters often use addresses similar to legitimate ones, with slight variations.
- Message header analysis: The email header contains technical details about the origin of the message. In Outlook, you can use the
Message Header Analyzer add-in to help you interpret this information easily. This tool will display details such as the “From” and “Reply-To” fields, allowing you to spot inconsistencies. - SPF, DKIM, and DMARC authentication: these authentication protocols help to determine if the email was actually sent from the claimed domain. If a message fails these checks, it is likely to be spoofed.
How to protect yourself from phishing?
- Be careful: never click on links or download attachments from unsolicited emails.
- Keep your software up to date: Update your email client and antivirus software regularly to ensure that they can detect the latest threats.
- Employee training: keep your team up-to-date on current threats and teach them how to spot suspicious emails.
How can BOIT help you?
We offer cybersecurity training that includes techniques for recognizing phishing attacks and properly authenticating senders in email clients like Outlook and more. We teach users how to incorporate cybersecurity into their daily routine.
Implementing these measures will increase the security of your email communications and reduce the risk of a successful phishing attack.