Emails are a crucial part of our daily communication, whether it’s for personal or professional purposes. But have you ever wondered what information is hidden in the email header?
The email header contains a wealth of information that can help you understand the origin and path of an email, as well as its authenticity. In this article, we’ll explore what you can find in an email header and how it can be useful for email filtering and understanding email metadata.
What is an Email Header?
Before we dive into the details, let’s first define what an email header is. An email header is the technical part of an email that contains information about the sender, recipient, and the email’s path from the sender to the recipient. It is not visible to the average email user and can only be accessed by viewing the email’s source code.
The Anatomy of an Email Header
An email header is made up of several lines of text, each containing a specific piece of information. The header usually starts with the “From” line, followed by the “To” line, and then the “Subject” line. These lines are visible to the email recipient and can be seen in the email’s preview or when it is opened.
However, the rest of the header, which contains more technical information, is hidden from the average user. This includes lines such as “Received”, “Return-Path”, and “Message-ID”. These lines provide information about the email’s path and authenticity.
What Information Can You Find in an Email Header?
Now that we know what an email header is, let’s take a closer look at the information it contains.
Sender Information
The “From” line in the email header contains the sender’s email address and name. This information is usually visible to the recipient and can be used to identify who the email is from. However, it’s important to note that this information can be easily spoofed, meaning the sender’s email address can be faked.
Recipient Information
The “To” line in the email header contains the recipient’s email address. This is the email address that the email was sent to. In some cases, there may be multiple email addresses listed in this line if the email was sent to multiple recipients.
Subject Line
The “Subject” line in the email header contains the subject of the email. This is the line that gives the recipient an idea of what the email is about. It’s important to note that this line can also be easily manipulated by the sender.
IP Addresses
The “Received” lines in the email header contain the IP addresses of the servers that the email passed through on its way to the recipient. These IP addresses can provide valuable information about the email’s origin and path. They can also be used to identify suspicious or malicious emails.
Return-Path
The “Return-Path” line in the email header contains the email address that bounced or rejected the email. This can be useful for identifying any issues with the email delivery and can also help in identifying spam or phishing emails.
Message-ID
The “Message-ID” line in the email header contains a unique identifier for the email. This can be useful for tracking the email’s path and can also help in identifying any issues with the email delivery.
Authentication Information
The email header may also contain information about the email’s authentication, such as SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) records. These records help verify the email’s authenticity and can be used to identify spam or phishing emails.
How Can Email Header Information Be Useful?
Now that we know what information can be found in an email header, let’s explore how it can be useful.
Email Filtering
Email header information can be used for email filtering, which is the process of sorting and organizing emails based on certain criteria. By analyzing the information in the email header, email providers can determine if an email is legitimate or spam and filter it accordingly.
For example, if an email’s IP address is known to be associated with spam or phishing, the email provider can automatically filter it into the recipient’s spam folder. This helps protect users from potentially harmful emails and keeps their inbox organized.
Identifying Suspicious Emails
The information in the email header can also be used to identify suspicious or malicious emails. For example, if the email’s IP address is from a country that the recipient does not typically receive emails from, it could be a red flag for a potential phishing attempt.
Additionally, if the email’s authentication records do not match the sender’s domain, it could indicate that the email is spoofed and not actually from the sender. This information can help users avoid falling for phishing scams and keep their personal information safe.
Understanding Email Metadata
Email metadata is data about the email itself, such as the sender, recipient, date and time sent, and the email’s path. This information can be useful for tracking and analyzing email communication.
By looking at the email header, you can see when an email was sent, where it was sent from, and who it was sent to. This can be helpful for tracking important emails or for legal purposes.
How to View an Email Header
Viewing an email header is a simple process, but it may vary depending on the email provider you use. Here’s how to view an email header in some popular email providers:
- Gmail: Open the email, click on the three dots in the top right corner, and select “Show original”.
- Outlook: Open the email, click on the three dots in the top right corner, and select “View message details”.
- Yahoo Mail: Open the email, click on the three dots in the top right corner, and select “View raw message”.
In Conclusion
The email header may seem like a small and insignificant part of an email, but it contains valuable information that can help you understand the email’s origin, path, and authenticity. By understanding what information can be found in an email header and how it can be useful, you can better protect yourself from spam and phishing attempts and keep your inbox organized. So the next time you receive an email, take a moment to view the email header and see what information you can find.
