Email Security Features

How many signs of phishing can you spot in this email? I am getting more and more of this exact type of fake invoice phish. In fact, a lot of them aren't even getting caught by spam these days. So, let's spread the security awareness to help others avoid falling for it. How many signs of phishing can you spot in this image? Alternatively, what common signs do you NOT see, which is likely how it is avoiding spam filters? Here is what I see on this one (SPOILERS): 🔻 From a generic gmail.com account 🔻 No personal greeting - it is all generic 🔻 The ID number in the subject doesn't match any other numbers in the email or the Invoice number in the attached PDF (visible but hard to see here) 🔻 The text is repetitive and very difficult to read 🔻 The PDF says "Norton from Symantec" but the email doesn't contain any branding or contact details Now, here is what I DON'T see which security awareness programs always highlight: 🔹 Call to *urgent* action 🔹 A link to click 🔹 Typos or spelling errors (grammar problems not withstanding) So, what actions can you tell people to avoid falling victim? 🔸 Never trust incoming email, particularly from sources you haven't seen before 🔸 If an email says you paid a bill you don't remember paying, check your bank accounts FIRST. If you don't see the bill, the email is almost certainly spam. 🔸 Never be afraid to forward an email like this to somebody else and ask for a second opinion on it. 🔸 Don't call the phone number or respond to an email like this. Look up the company in Google and call the official support number. #security #cybersecurity #spam #phishing #securityawareness

If you’re sending emails in bulk (>5000 emails/day), you need to know this. In a recent update, Google laid down a threshold of spam rate for bulk senders, which is less than 0.3%. This means two things: [1] You need to monitor the no. of spam complaints regularly - Spam complaints are NOT emails landing in your spam folder [2] You need to keep your spam complaints below 0.3% - Many of the companies I know have higher spam complaints First, start monitoring spam complaints by setting up Gmail Postmaster Tools for your domain. It’s a free tool by Google to check delivery errors, spam reports, domain reputation, and IP reputation. The more important question though is how to maintain spam complaint rates below 0.3%. The answer is simple - Be more relevant and valuable to users. For that, make sure to: [a] Segment your users (Use their activity, intent, and need to segment) [b] Understand what each of these segments want (Ask them questions) Send emails that are relevant to their needs. Don’t just sell but educate, entertain, and engage them [c] Bring novelty in each email. Don’t just keep sending the same sales-oriented email every day. If you don’t have any value to add, don’t send the email. There are other requirements for senders, too, like: [1] Authenticate outgoing emails by setting up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. DMARC may be set to p=none. [2] Enable one-click unsubscribe. And process unsubscription requests within two days. The deadline to set these up is February 1, 2024 - but they’re nudging senders to set them up already. In fact, setting these up earlier “may improve your email delivery”, the update said. For more details - read their email sender guidelines [link in comments]

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗘𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Email is a critical communication tool, but it is also the most targeted attack vector for cybercriminals. Neglecting email security can expose individuals and organizations to significant risks, including data breaches, financial loss, and reputation damage. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝟭. 𝗘𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝘆𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀 ◼️   Phishing Attacks trick users into sharing sensitive data or installing malware. ◼️   Business Email Compromise (BEC) targets organizations by impersonating executives for fraudulent transactions. ◼️   Malware Distribution through malicious links and attachments can cripple operations. 🔍 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁: 𝟵𝟬% 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝘆𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹. 𝟮. 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 A single compromised email can lead to: ◼️   𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗼𝘀𝘀: Fraudulent transactions or ransomware demands. ◼️   𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲: Operational disruptions caused by malware. ◼️   𝗥𝗲𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲: Loss of trust from clients and stakeholders due to data leaks. 𝟯. 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗼𝗽𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀 Cybercriminals are evolving rapidly with: ◼️   Targeted spear phishing campaigns. ◼️   AI-driven attacks that bypass traditional filters. ◼️   Exploits through public networks like Wi-Fi hotspots. 𝟰. 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 ◼️   Regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and other data protection laws mandate robust email security to safeguard sensitive information. Non-compliance can result in hefty penalties. 𝟱. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗘𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 ◼️   𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗰𝗿𝘆𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Protect email data in transit and at rest. ◼️   𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗶-𝗣𝗵𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗼𝗳𝘁𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲: Block malicious emails before they reach the inbox. ◼️   𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺: Educate employees to recognize phishing attempts and report suspicious activity. ◼️   𝗔𝗱𝗼𝗽𝘁 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶-𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗠𝗙𝗔): Add an extra layer of defense for email accounts. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲: Email security is not optional - it’s essential. By protecting your inbox, you safeguard your data, finances, and reputation, ensuring business continuity in an increasingly risky digital world. 🔒 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 - 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻! #Cybersecurity #EmailSecurity #Emails #DataProtection #Awareness #Tips

Case Study. Must read. Fixing Gmail deliverability isn’t as simple as changing your IP or switching platforms. In one real case: A brand moved to a dedicated IP on their ESP’s advice, hoping it would fix domain reputation issues. Warm-up was done correctly. SPF, DKIM, and DMARC were all passing. But Gmail Postmaster reputation dropped to "bad" and stayed there Gmail inbox placement went to 0%. CTRs were around 0.2%, and nothing improved. The core issue wasn't technical. It was behavioral. Their student emails were opt-in. But corporate emails came from purchased ZoomInfo lists. Gmail picked up on this and punished the entire domain. Changing IPs just exposed the issue faster. Their suppression logic also made things worse: 1. Users were suppressed only after 10 sends with no clicks 2. That means 10 chances to hurt domain reputation 3. Engagement-based filtering is strict 4. If people don’t interact, Gmail assumes your content is unwanted Technical setup wasn't perfect either: 1. Their signup API lacked rate limits 2. Bots were likely abusing the form 3. This led to emails being sent to fake or unverified addresses More bad signals sent to Gmail A "0% spam complaint rate" looked good on paper, but it was misleading. If no one sees your email in the inbox, they can’t complain. That’s a sign your emails are already deep in spam. Should you ever change IPs? Yes, if recommended by an experienced deliverability expert because the IPs are burnt and beyond recovery anytime soon. But only after identifying and fixing the root cause. Changing IPs without fixing your behavior is just a temporary patch What can actually help? Along with all other best practices, 1. Stop mailing Gmail users for a while. 2. Start fresh with small, high-quality segments. 3. Promote your email content on your website or social media to drive awareness. Good deliverability doesn’t come from tools or IPs. It comes from permission, relevance, and engagement. I have seen a lot of marketers with no optin lists but with content relevance and positive engagement they are doing great. If Gmail doesn’t see real interest in your emails, nothing else will matter. Happy to chat if you're navigating a similar situation. #email #emailmarketing

91% of cyber attacks start with a phishing email." Yes, you read that right. A simple, seemingly innocent email lands in an inbox—often posing as a trusted sender. That’s how attackers slip past defenses: by tricking someone into clicking a malicious link or sharing sensitive information. And it works. Every. Single. Day. 57% of organizations experience phishing attempts daily or weekly. One careless click, and you could be handing over the keys to your organization’s most valuable assets. From my years managing security operations—I’ve seen firsthand that phishing attacks aren’t just a nuisance. They’re tactical entry points for more sophisticated cyber threats. Here’s how to stay ahead of the game: Trust, but Verify: When you get an email asking for sensitive information, don’t rush. Hover over links, verify senders, and double-check before clicking. Attackers thrive on urgency. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Isn’t Optional: Think of MFA as your digital double lock. Even if attackers manage to get your password, MFA ensures they hit a wall. Update Relentlessly: Security patches and updates aren’t just annoying notifications. They’re critical defenses against attackers looking to exploit outdated software. Simulate and Educate: Phishing simulations and regular awareness training aren't just boxes to tick. They're essential. Your people are your frontline, and training them transforms them into informed defenders. Why do I emphasize this so much? Because as a security professional with expertise in crisis management and operations—I’ve seen firsthand how one seemingly small mistake can open floodgates to data breaches or financial losses. I’ve had to design multi-layered security strategies that blend technology, processes, and people management. Because in high-stakes environments, surface-level solutions won’t cut it. LinkedIn LinkedIn News India LinkedIn News #india #security #news

Let’s face it—despite next-gen firewalls and endpoint protection, most breaches still start the old-fashioned way: through email and web browsers. Why? Because they’re the tools we use every day, and that makes them the easiest to exploit. The Problem ✔ Email is a hacker’s best friend—phishing, BEC scams, and weaponized attachments keep evolving. Even with filters, one cleverly disguised email can bypass defenses and trick even savvy users. ✔ Browsers are the wild west—malicious ads, drive-by downloads, and rogue extensions turn routine web browsing into a minefield. And with SaaS apps everywhere, employees are constantly logging into new (and sometimes risky) sites. Basic spam filters and antivirus won’t cut it anymore. Attackers use AI-generated messages, zero-day exploits, and social engineering to slip past traditional defenses. What Actually Works ✅ AI-powered email filtering that detects subtle phishing cues (not just obvious spam). ✅ Browser isolation or strict extension controls to stop malicious code before it executes. ✅ Zero Trust policies—because assuming "trusted" users or devices is a recipe for disaster. ✅ Ongoing security training—because human error is still the weakest link. The Bottom Line If your security strategy isn’t obsessed with locking down email and browsers, you’re leaving the front door wide open. #CyberSecurity #EmailSecurity #BrowserSecurity #ZeroTrust #Phishing

"Funny to see all DORA emails coming in via email from domains with a DMARC record on p=none." That's what a security professional in my network commented the other day on one of my DORA posts. Totally agree, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are critical for email security and compliance. Let’s break it down: ↳ Email authentication isn't just nice to have, it’s a must. Without it, you're exposed to three major threats: 1. Phishing: Threat actors spoof your domain to trick your customers. 2. Business Email Compromise (BEC): Fake CEO emails still land without enforcement. 3. Brand impersonation: Attackers hijack your domain’s reputation to deliver malware. ↳ SPF (Sender Policy Framework) Tells receiving servers which IP addresses are authorized to send emails for your domain. Simple DNS TXT record. But it fails when emails get forwarded. ↳ DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) Adds a cryptographic signature to your emails. If the content is altered, even slightly, the signature fails. Bonus: it survives forwarding. ↳ DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting and Conformance) The enforcer. Tells mail servers what to do when SPF and DKIM checks fail and whether they align with the domain in the visible “From” address. ↳ A proper DMARC record looks like this: v=DMARC1; p=reject; rua=mailto:dmarc@example.com; adkim=s; aspf=s; fo=1; sp=reject This record tells the world: – Reject unauthorized emails – Use strict alignment – Send reports so you can monitor and adjust ↳ Together, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC create layered protection: – SPF checks the sender. – DKIM checks the content. – DMARC checks the identity and applies policy. ↳ Recommended DMARC rollout strategy: 1. Start with p=none to monitor. 2. Fix issues based on reports. 3. Move to p=quarantine. 4. Enforce with p=reject. 5. Apply sp=reject to subdomains. 6. Rotate DKIM keys at least annually. 7. Review DMARC reports weekly. ↳ How does this support DORA compliance? DORA requires you to manage ICT risks, prevent phishing attacks, detect unauthorized use of communication channels, and ensure continuity. Email authentication checks all those boxes. It reduces risk exposure and proves to regulators you're actively protecting your digital perimeter. 💡Before buying expensive email security tools, implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. They’re open, proven, and free. Yet most domains still don’t enforce them. 👇 Have you already enforced DMARC at p=reject? Or are you still monitoring? ♻️ Repost to protect someone’s inbox. 🔔 Follow Amine El Gzouli for more practical security insights.

A CISO once told me, "𝐖𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐮𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝." What Actually happened? 🔹 A senior executive left the company. 🔹 His email account was never deactivated. 🔹 Six months later, attackers logged in using his credentials and moved through the network undetected. By the time they were caught, they had stolen gigabytes of sensitive data. What went wrong? They didn’t have a simple offboarding security habit. ✅ 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐧𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐬 is one of the most overlooked cybersecurity practices—yet it’s one of the easiest ways to prevent breaches. If, in your company: → Old employee accounts? Still have access → Third-party vendors? Still are active → Former IT staff? Could still log in. Every forgotten account is an open door for attackers. High time to fix it today: ✔ Audit all user accounts every quarter. ✔ Implement auto-expiry for unused accounts. ✔ Set strict access revocation during offboarding. Hackers don’t need to break in if 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧. When was the last time your company 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐩 𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐬? #AccessManagement #RiskManagement #CyberSecurity #DataProtection

Reduce Domain Spoofing with DMARC! Let’s understand how DMARC ensures that only legitimate emails are sent on behalf of our domain and we have better protection against spoofing. ✅ Objective: Prevent domain spoofing and phishing attacks while ensuring only authorized emails reach recipients. 👨💻 Who’s in Charge? IT admins, DevOps, security teams, or anyone managing the organization’s domain. ⚙️ How It Works: DMARC is set up in the domain’s DNS, and working alongside email authentication systems. 💪 Effort Required: One-time DMARC setup in DNS, ongoing email monitoring, and policy adjustments as needed. Here’s how it actually works: 1️⃣ Set the Rules – Define your DMARC policy in DNS, specifying how to handle unauthorized emails: *None – Monitor only, without taking action. *Quarantine – Mark as spam or move to a separate folder. *Reject – Block the email entirely. 2️⃣ Authentication Checks – Every email sent under your domain undergoes SPF and DKIM validation. 3️⃣ Filtering Suspicious Emails – If an email fails authentication, the system checks if it truly came from you. 4️⃣ Enforcement Decision – Based on your policy, emails can be delivered, sent to spam, or rejected. 5️⃣ Reports & Monitoring – You receive reports on who’s sending emails on behalf of your domain (and detect impersonation attempts). The result? Fewer phishing attacks, better control over your domain, and increased trust in your emails. 🚀 If you haven’t set up DMARC yet—now’s the time! 💡 #CyberSecurity #EmailSecurity #DMARC #PhishingProtection