top of page

Email Spoofing

A technique used to forge the sender address of an email to deceive recipients.

Understanding Email Spoofing


Email spoofing exploits SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) vulnerabilities, which do not verify sender identities by default. Attackers manipulate email headers to impersonate legitimate organizations, colleagues, or executives to trick victims into clicking malicious links, downloading malware, or revealing sensitive information.

Key Features of Email Spoofing


  1. Sender Address Manipulation – Attackers alter the "From" field to mimic trusted sources.

  2. Phishing & Malware Delivery – Spoofed emails often contain malicious attachments or links.

  3. Bypassing Traditional Email Security – Many legacy email systems fail to detect spoofed emails.

  4. Used in Business Email Compromise (BEC) – Targets organizations for fraudulent transactions.

  5. Often Combined with Social Engineering – Attackers exploit human trust to increase credibility.

Common Applications of Email Spoofing


1. Phishing Attacks

  • Fake emails from banks, IT departments, or service providers trick users into entering credentials.

  • Examples: "Your account has been locked," "Urgent password reset required."

2. Ransomware Delivery

  • Attackers send malware-laden attachments disguised as invoices, reports, or urgent requests.

3. Business Email Compromise (BEC)

  • Attackers impersonate CEOs, HR departments, or vendors to request fraudulent wire transfers.

4. Fake Security Alerts

  • Victims receive fake emails claiming unauthorized access, urging immediate action.

bottom of page