Email Spoofing & Interception: Protect Yourself

TL;DR

Yes, a spoofer can intercept and resend your email text if they compromise your account or network. This guide explains how it happens and what you can do to protect yourself.

Understanding the Threat

Email spoofing is when someone pretends to be you (or someone else) to send emails. Interception means someone reads your email before it reaches its destination. These often go hand-in-hand.

How Email Spoofing Works

1. Forged ‘From’ Address: Spammers and attackers can easily change the ‘From:’ address in an email header to appear as if it’s coming from you. This doesn’t mean they have access to your account, just that they are faking the sender information.
2. Compromised Account: If a hacker gains access to your email account (through a weak password, phishing, etc.), they can read and send emails as you. This is much more dangerous than simple spoofing.
3. Man-in-the-Middle Attacks: On insecure networks (like public Wi-Fi), an attacker could intercept your email traffic before it’s encrypted.

How Interception Works

Interception happens when someone gets access to the content of your emails while they are being sent or stored.

1. Network Sniffing: Attackers use tools to ‘sniff’ network traffic, looking for unencrypted email data.
2. Email Server Compromise: If an attacker gains control of your email provider’s server, they can access all emails stored there.
3. Phishing & Malware: Malware on your computer or a phishing link could steal your login details, allowing the attacker to read your emails directly.

Protecting Yourself – Step-by-Step

1. Strong Passwords: Use strong, unique passwords for your email account and any related accounts (recovery email, etc.). A password manager is highly recommended.
   • Length: At least 12 characters.
   • Complexity: Mix uppercase/lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): This adds an extra layer of security. Even if someone knows your password, they’ll need a code from your phone or another device.
   • Check your email provider’s settings for 2FA options. Most offer authenticator apps (Google Authenticator, Authy) or SMS codes.
3. Be Wary of Phishing Emails: Don’t click on links or open attachments from unknown senders.
   • Look for spelling errors and suspicious requests.
   • Hover over links to see the actual destination URL before clicking.
4. Use Secure Connections (HTTPS): Ensure you’re using HTTPS when accessing your email through a web browser.
   • Look for the padlock icon in your browser’s address bar.
5. Keep Your Software Updated: Regularly update your operating system, browser, and antivirus software to patch security vulnerabilities.
6. Use Email Encryption (PGP/GPG): For sensitive emails, consider using end-to-end encryption like PGP or GPG. This scrambles the email content so only the intended recipient can read it.

   gpg --encrypt --recipient '[email protected]' your_file.txt

7. Check Email Headers: You can examine the full email header to see the actual sender information (though this is advanced).
   • In Gmail, open the email, click the three dots menu, and select ‘Show original’.
8. Monitor Account Activity: Regularly check your email account for any unusual activity, such as sent emails you didn’t send or login attempts from unfamiliar locations.

What if You Suspect an Interception?

1. Change Your Password Immediately: Use a strong, unique password.
2. Enable 2FA: If you haven’t already, enable two-factor authentication.
3. Scan for Malware: Run a full system scan with your antivirus software.
4. Contact Your Email Provider: Report the incident to your email provider’s security team.

cyber security Resources

For more information on email spoofing and cyber security best practices, visit:

• National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC): https://www.ncsc.gov.uk