HOW TO USE ONLINE EMAIL HEADER ANALYSIS TO SPOT PHISHING

How to Use Online Email Header Analysis to Spot Phishing

How to Use Online Email Header Analysis to Spot Phishing

Blog Article

Email phishing is one of the most common cyber threats people face today. From fake password reset requests to too-good-to-be-true job offers, scammers are getting more sophisticated. While subject lines and message content can be deceiving, email headers reveal valuable clues. Learning how to use online email header analysis can help you spot phishing emails before it’s too late. online email header analysis



What Is an Email Header?


An email header contains metadata about the message—details that aren’t visible in the regular email view. This includes:





  • The sender’s IP address




  • Email servers the message passed through




  • Authentication status (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)




  • Date and time stamps




  • The "From" and "Reply-To" email addresses




Analyzing this hidden information helps you trace the email’s origin and verify its legitimacy.






Why Analyze Email Headers for Phishing?


Phishing emails often use spoofed addresses or fake domains to trick recipients. They may appear to come from trusted sources—banks, government agencies, or even your own company. Email headers help you:





  • Verify if the email really came from the domain it claims




  • Spot IP addresses from suspicious locations




  • Identify forged sender information




  • Check for failed security authentication







Step-by-Step: How to Perform Email Header Analysis Online


1. Access the Full Email Header


The process varies by email client:





  • Gmail: Click the three-dot menu > “Show original”




  • Outlook: Open email > File > Properties > Look for “Internet headers”




  • Yahoo: More > View raw message




Copy the full header text.



2. Use a Free Online Email Header Analyzer


Paste the header into one of these tools:




These tools break down:





  • The sending IP address




  • Mail server hops




  • SPF/DKIM/DMARC pass or fail




  • Delay patterns that may indicate spoofing




3. Check Sender Domain and IP Reputation


Once you have the IP address or domain name:





  • Run a whois lookup to find ownership info




  • Use Blacklist checkers (like Spamhaus or MXToolbox)




  • Search the IP/domain in Google to see if it's linked to scams




Suspicious traits include:





  • Domains that don’t match the sender’s organization




  • IPs from unusual countries for your usual correspondence




  • Failed authentication entries like SPF: Fail or DKIM: None







Red Flags You Can Spot in Headers




  • "From" and "Return-Path" don’t match: This is a common phishing trick.




  • Unusual sending servers: An email claiming to be from PayPal shouldn’t come through a personal ISP or unknown mail server.




  • Failed SPF, DKIM, or DMARC records: These are email authentication protocols—failure may indicate spoofing.




  • Time zone mismatches: For example, receiving an internal company email timestamped in a time zone your organization doesn’t operate in.







Combine Header Analysis with Other Phishing Detection Tips


While headers give strong clues, always use them with traditional checks:





  • Look for grammar/spelling errors




  • Hover over links to see real destinations




  • Avoid clicking attachments from unknown senders




  • Use security software that flags phishing emails







Final Thoughts


Knowing how to use online email header analysis gives you a major edge in spotting phishing emails. With the right tools and basic knowledge, you can protect your inbox and sensitive data from cybercriminals. This proactive approach is especially useful for business owners, IT teams, and anyone handling sensitive communication online.

Report this page