Email is one of the most important elements for any business. It remains one of the most effective communication methods between employees, business partners, and clients. It’s also one of the best marketing tools to keep customers aware of a company’s products and services.
While it is easy to focus only on the positives, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows with email. Due to its popularity, cybercriminals see it as a prime opportunity to exploit unsuspecting users. They will utilise email for everything from gathering personal information (such as passwords) to making someone download malware.
Fortunately, there are ways to defend against these threats. One way is with DMARC.
What is DMARC?
Domain-based Message Authentication Reporting and Conformance, aka DMARC, supplies your email channel with an extra layer of protection. With DMARC authentication, it not only detects email spoof techniques – such as phishing – but it also prevents them from catching you or an employee out.
The authentication of emails through DMARC is helped by using existing SPF and DKIM records. This technology, which is the first and only widespread one of its kind, gives you the ability to monitor and control sent emails. For more information about DMARC and what it entails, a full guide is available by clicking here.
With that out the way, here are five threats that can be spotted with DMARC.
1. Domain spoofing
For a scammer to make their fraudulent email appear legitimate, they use various tactics. One is domain spoofing. This is where the attacker spoofs a company’s domain. By doing this, the sent email appears to have originated from a legitimate, trustworthy source.
2. Business email compromise
Business email compromise (BEC) is a tactic where a cybercriminal impersonates a senior employee. They make it appear the email has been sent by said employee. The goal is then for the victim to provide them with the requested sensitive information or money transfer.
3. Email phishing
Phishing emails can take on various different forms. Commonly, it will appear as if it has been sent by a legitimate brand. The email will then attempt to convince the recipient to download a file, click on the provided URL link, provide confidential information, etc.
If they are successful in getting the recipient to do as instructed, the results can vary. It could lead to malware being installed for example, or for the victim to complete a wire transfer of funds.
4. Impostor email
As the name suggests, an impostor email is where a cybercriminal pretends to be someone else. This could be them claiming to be an employee within the organisation, where they contact the recipient for confidential business data.
5. Whaling email
A whaling email is another type of phishing attempt. The difference is that this scam is aimed at senior employees. The thought process is simple: due to the added responsibility and perceived financial standing of this employee, the cybercriminal sees it as a pathway to a large pay out.
