{"id":21851,"date":"2025-03-26T20:28:21","date_gmt":"2025-03-26T18:28:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/masterbase.com\/es\/es\/es\/?p=21851"},"modified":"2025-03-26T20:31:01","modified_gmt":"2025-03-26T18:31:01","slug":"email-cybersecurity-how-to-avoid-phishing-attacks-malware-and-fraud-with-advanced-authentication","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/masterbase.com\/en\/ciberseguridad-en-correos-electronicos-como-evitar-ataques-de-phishing-malware-y-fraudes-con-autenticacion-avanzada\/masterbase\/","title":{"rendered":"Email cybersecurity: How to prevent phishing attacks, malware and fraud with advanced authentication"},"content":{"rendered":"

More than 90% of cyber attacks start with a malicious email, either through phishing, malware or targeted fraud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, there is a way to strengthen e-mail security and minimize these risks: advanced authentication<\/strong>. Protocols such as SPF, DKIM and DMARC<\/strong> They protect companies from fraud and phishing and also improve the deliverability of legitimate emails, ensuring that they reach the inbox and not the spam folder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we will explore the main threats in email, the key role of authentication and how MasterBase\u00ae works to ensure the security and effectiveness of business mailings<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Most common threats in e-mails<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udce9<\/strong> 1. Phishing: the most common scam<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phishing is an attack method in which cybercriminals impersonate trusted companies or individuals to deceive users and steal credentials or sensitive data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udd39 Example:<\/strong> An email that appears to come from a bank and asks you to update your login details with a fraudulent link.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udfaf<\/strong> 2. Spear Phishing: targeted attacks<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike mass phishing, spear phishing targets specific individuals and uses personalized information to make the deception more convincing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udd39 Example:<\/strong> An employee receives a fake email in which the CEO allegedly requests urgent transfers or access to confidential information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcbc<\/strong> 3. Business Email Compromise (BEC): Corporate Fraud<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attackers compromise a legitimate business email account and use it to send fraudulent instructions to employees or vendors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udd39 Example:<\/strong> A cybercriminal impersonates the finance department and sends an email requesting payment to a fraudulent account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83e\udda0<\/strong> 4. Malware and ransomware in attachments<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many attacks start with a seemingly harmless attachment that, when opened, installs malware or ransomware on the victim's system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udd39 Example:<\/strong> An employee receives a Word file with malicious macros that install ransomware on the corporate network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

The key role of SPF, DKIM and DMARC in email security<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To mitigate these risks, it is essential to authenticate e-mails and prevent third parties from spoofing corporate domains<\/strong>. This is where three key protocols come into play:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udd39<\/strong> SPF (Sender Policy Framework): The first trust filter<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SPF prevents cybercriminals from sending emails from a fake domain by verifying which servers are authorized to send emails on behalf of a company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udd39 Example:<\/strong> If you receive an email from your bank's domain, SPF checks if it was really sent from an authorized server.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udd39<\/strong> DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail): The digital signature for email<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DKIM adds a layer of security by attaching a unique digital signature to each email sent, ensuring that the message has not been altered during transit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udd39 Example:<\/strong> If a hacker tries to modify an email on its way to your inbox, DKIM will detect and block it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udd39<\/strong> DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance): The last line of defense<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DMARC relies on SPF and DKIM to decide how to treat suspicious emails and prevent phishing and spoofing attacks. It also provides reports on phishing attempts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udd39 Example:<\/strong> If an attacker tries to send fake emails from a corporate domain, DMARC can reject those emails or mark them as spam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Example of e-mail address spoofing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Without proper protections, such as SPF, DKIM and DMARC, it is extremely easy to spoof an email and pretend that it comes from a legitimate and trustworthy company.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A documented case demonstrates the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n