What is Email Interception?

Did you know that a single intercepted email could compromise your entire business?

Email interception is a growing cybersecurity threat that exposes sensitive information to unauthorised parties.

Understanding interception methods and implementing secure email practices, especially email encryption, is crucial to protect your communications.

"In my 40 years in digital security, I've seen how a single lapse in email security can have devastating consequences. Protecting your communications from interception is absolutely essential."

— Paul Holland, Founder, Beyond Encryption

Email interception threats often involve methods like man-in-the-middle attacks, phishing, and compromised accounts, exposing individuals and businesses to risks.

By implementing effective security measures like encryption and authentication, you can prevent email interception and protect your sensitive communications.

Contents:

• What Is Email Interception?
• Risks Associated with Interception
• Protecting Against Interception
• Why Encrypt Attachments?
• How to Encrypt Attachments
• Email Interception: The Crux

What Is Email Interception?

Email interception happens when unauthorised individuals gain access to email communications as they travel across networks, often without the sender's or recipient's knowledge.

This kind of breach allows threat actors to eavesdrop on private conversations and potentially modify email contents.

Interception can occur at various points along the email's journey, including within the sender's or recipient's email servers, during transit over the internet, or at any intermediate servers handling the email.

"Many people underestimate how easily emails can be intercepted during transmission. Understanding where vulnerabilities lie is the first step in securing your communications."

— Mike Wakefield, CTO, Beyond Encryption

How Does Email Interception Happen?

Cybercriminals use various tactics to intercept emails:

Man-in-the-Middle Attacks

Attackers position themselves between the sender and recipient to intercept or alter email content.

They can read, modify, or delete messages without detection.

Phishing and Spoofing

Criminals can impersonate trusted sources to trick recipients into sharing sensitive data.

They may send emails that appear legitimate to obtain passwords or financial information.

Spy Pixels

Invisible tracking pixels can be used to monitor email opens and gather recipient data, compromising privacy.

These pixels allow malicious actors to collect information about when and where an email is read.

Risks Associated with Email Interception

Email interception can pose serious risks.

Email is one of the most widely used communication tools. The problem is, it was never designed with security in mind. As more sensitive information gets shared by email, the risks associated with interception increase.

Applying the security measures above helps protect personal data, financial information, and keep compliance with regulations.

Financial Fraud

Attackers can modify financial details in intercepted emails, leading to fraudulent transactions.

This can result in monetary losses for individuals and businesses.

"We've seen companies suffer huge financial losses due to intercepted emails altering payment details. Implementing strong security measures isn't just about compliance—it's about protecting your bottom line."

— Adam Byford, CCO, Beyond Encryption

Data Breaches and Reputational Damage

Exposing confidential data can result in legal and reputational harm, as we highlight in our analysis of breach reporting.

Organisations can face both financial penalties and loss of customer trust.

"In the financial services industry, secure communication isn't just about protecting data—it's about maintaining trust with your clients."

— Carole Howard, Head of Networks, Beyond Encryption

Identity Theft

Intercepted data can enable cyber criminals to carry out unauthorised transactions and impersonate people.

Personal information can be used to commit fraud or any number of other malicious activities.

How to Protect Against Email Interception

Using robust security measures can reduce the risks of interception.

Cybersecurity professionals often recommend strategies like:

End-to-End Encryption

Email encryption makes sure only the right recipient can access email content, making it unreadable to unauthorised parties.

This protects data during transmission and storage.

Implementing end-to-end encryption, like S/MIME or AES-256, can raise the security of both an email's body and attachments.

"End-to-end encryption is one of the most effective tools we have against email interception. It's becoming increasingly essential for both businesses and individuals."

— Mike Wakefield, CTO, Beyond Encryption

Encrypting Email Attachments

Encrypting attachments adds an extra layer of security.

It makes sure that even if an email is intercepted, the attachments stay protected.

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Two-factor (or multi-factor) authentication makes it harder for attackers to gain access to emails even if a user's credentials are stolen.

It asks people to provide two forms of identification before accessing an account (e.g., a password and a code sent to their phone).

Verify Sender Identity

Manually verifying that financial or sensitive instructions come from a verified source can help to prevent phishing and spoofing attempts.

This should be done using an alternative method of communication (for example, over the phone or by SMS).

Regular Security Protocol Updates

Organisations should keep email servers and clients updated with protocols like STARTTLS to secure messages in transit.

Regular updates can patch vulnerabilities that could be exploited.

User Education

Training users (or yourself) to recognise phishing emails and understand secure email practices can reduce the risk of interception.

Educated users are less likely to fall for social engineering attacks.

"User education is often overlooked but is critical in preventing email interception. An informed team is your first line of defence against threats."

— Emily Plummer, Marketing Director, Beyond Encryption

Why Encrypt Attachments?

Sending email attachments without encryption leaves documents open to risk.

It's like writing your personal information on a postcard—anyone who handles it can read its contents.

For individuals and organisations dealing with sensitive information, encryption is an important part of a strong cybersecurity strategy.

When you encrypt email attachments, you scramble the information, making it unreadable to unauthorised parties.

This can really reduce the risk of email interception and help companies to comply with privacy laws and regulations.

How to Encrypt Attachments

Encrypting email attachments is important for keeping sensitive documents confidential.

Here's how to encrypt attachments in popular email clients:

Encrypt email attachments in Outlook

• Compose a new email and attach your files.
• Go to the "Options" tab and select "Encrypt" or "Security Settings."
• Choose the encryption settings that suit your needs.
• Send the email as usual.

Encrypt email attachments in Gmail

• Compose a new email and attach your files.
• Click on the lock icon to enable "Confidential Mode."
• Set an expiration date and require a passcode if needed.
• Send the email.

Encrypt email attachments in iOS Mail

• Make sure you have a S/MIME certificate installed on your device.
• Compose a new email and attach your files.
• Tap the "Encrypt" button to secure your email and attachments.
• Send the email.

To view the full instructions, read How to Encrypt Email Attachments.

What Are the Consequences of Failing to Protect Emails?

Failing to secure email communications can lead to severe consequences:

• Financial Losses: Due to fraud or theft resulting from intercepted information.
• Legal Penalties: Non-compliance with data protection regulations can result in hefty fines.
• Reputational Damage: Loss of customer trust and business opportunities.

According to the Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2023, 32% of UK businesses identified cyber attacks, emphasising the importance of robust email security.

Email Interception: The Crux

Email interception is a real threat in our digital world.

But if you combine encryption and authentication with regular updates and training, you can reduce these risks and protect your communications.

Encrypting email attachments is especially important for safeguarding confidential documents.

Being proactive in your approach to email security and staying aware of the threats are so important to keeping important data safe.

FAQs

What Does Intercepting Emails Mean?

Email interception occurs when unauthorised individuals access, modify, or delete emails during transmission or while stored on servers, often undetected.

How Do You Know If Your Emails Are Being Intercepted?

Signs include unusual account activity, emails marked as read without your action, or unauthorised changes to settings—monitor these to spot issues early.

What Are the Risks of Email Interception?

Risks include financial fraud, data breaches, identity theft, and reputational damage, as attackers can alter transactions or steal sensitive information.

How Do People Intercept Emails?

Methods include man-in-the-middle attacks, phishing, and spy pixels, enabling attackers to gather data or disrupt communication discreetly.

Can Unencrypted Emails Be Intercepted?

Yes, unencrypted emails are vulnerable as they are transmitted in plain text, making encryption essential for protecting email content.

Can I Tell If Someone Is Tracking My Email?

Spy pixels track when and where emails are read; disabling image loading and using tracking blockers can prevent this.

Is Interception a Security Threat?

Yes, email interception poses risks like data loss, fraud, and operational disruptions, making strong security measures critical.

Will Changing My Email Password Stop Hackers?

Changing your password helps, but you may need further steps, like enabling two-factor authentication, if malware or other access exists.

References

Email Interception, Guardian Digital, 2022

Data Security: An Analysis of ICO Findings, Beyond Encryption, 2023

Spy Pixels, Wikipedia, 2024

Are Your Emails Being Intercepted? Fight Email Fraud, Debra R Richardson, 2023

Email Modification Fraud, Legal Futures, 2017

Phishing, The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), 2024

Reviewed by

Sabrina McClune, 26.11.24

Sam Kendall, 15.11.24