Uncovering the Hidden: What Information is Not in an Email Header

Introduction

Email headers contain a plethora of information that most of us don’t bother to look into. These headers provide valuable insights into the message’s origin, path, and content. However, not all the information is displayed in an email header and is often hidden away. In this article, we’ll uncover the hidden information in an email header that can give you a better understanding of the message’s authenticity and protect against malicious attacks.

What information is displayed in an email header?

Email headers display various information related to the sender, recipient, and the email’s path. The standard header information includes the sender’s name and email address, recipient’s name and email address, date and time of sending, and the subject line. Additionally, email headers also contain IP addresses, message IDs, and email client details.

What information is not displayed in an email header?

Despite the wide array of information displayed in an email header, certain details remain hidden away. One such detail is the email’s actual origin, which refers to the path the message took to reach your inbox. The path can include multiple servers and domains, and these details are often not displayed. This lack of information makes it tough to judge the email’s authenticity and raises red flags when the message might have been tampered with or manipulated.

What hidden information can you uncover?

One of the most important hidden pieces of information in an email header is the email’s message authentication. This authentication information can help you identify whether the email is genuine or counterfeit. The authentication can be in the form of SPF (Sender Policy Framework), DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail), and DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance).

Another crucial piece of hidden information is the email’s route. By tracing the email route, you can identify the servers and domains that the message passed through before reaching your inbox. This traceability can help identify unauthorized email sources, such as phishing attempts and suspicious links.

Conclusion

Email headers contain a wealth of information that we seldom explore. Uncovering this hidden information can help us identify the authenticity of the message and protect against malicious attacks. By analyzing the email’s route and message authentication, we can ensure that the message is genuine and safe for us to act upon. Knowing what information is hidden and what to look for can empower us with better email security and overall internet safety.