Email Communication Security Flashcards

What is the primary purpose of email encryption?

Answer: To ensure only the intended recipient can read the email content

Email encryption converts email content into an unreadable format that can only be decrypted by the intended recipient, protecting the confidentiality of the message.

Which type of email attack uses a fabricated sense of urgency to trick recipients into taking immediate action?

Answer: Social engineering through urgency-based phishing

Urgency-based phishing emails create artificial time pressure—such as threatening account suspension or missed deadlines—to override the recipient's critical thinking and prompt hasty action.

What does SPF (Sender Policy Framework) do for email security?

Answer: Specifies which mail servers are authorized to send email for a domain

SPF is a DNS-based email authentication protocol that allows domain owners to specify which mail servers are authorized to send emails on behalf of their domain, helping prevent email spoofing.

Why should you be cautious about clicking links in emails, even from known contacts?

Answer: The sender's email account may have been compromised and used to send malicious links

Even emails from known contacts can contain malicious links if the sender's account has been hacked, making it important to verify unexpected links before clicking.

What is the purpose of a digital signature in email?

Answer: To verify the identity of the sender and ensure the message has not been altered

A digital signature uses cryptographic techniques to verify the sender's identity and confirm that the email content has not been modified during transit.

What should you do before opening an unexpected email attachment?

Answer: Verify the attachment's legitimacy with the sender through a separate communication channel

Before opening unexpected attachments, you should verify with the sender through a different channel (phone, text, in-person) to confirm they intentionally sent the file.