Banks do not send customers’ financial statements in an email. Why? Because email is not a secure method of communication. Email data travels unsecured over the web and is stored unencrypted on internet email relays, email servers, and end-user devices. Hence, email data can be stolen easily.
Unsecured email is easy for perpetrators to eavesdrop on as they continually search for a weak link between a client and a server. A hacker can exploit a vulnerable link if the email is not encrypted, devices or software are outdated, or a victim has malware installed. Using these weak spots, perpetrators access the data packets traversing through the connection. Thus, they can get into an unsecured email, read the data, and use it to commit fraud, run a scam, or simply menace their victim. With information from a stolen email, perpetrators can install sniffer programs and get access to a victim’s device. Read more about
how encryption works and
the advantages of email security.
Stolen email data can be used for many illegal activities, such as:
- It can be sold on the dark web to other nefarious parties.
- It can be used to claim tax refunds, get loans, and open bank accounts in the victim’s name.
- It can be used to make online purchases and to create fake identities.
Anyone who has suffered through the nightmare of identity theft knows the damage that can be done to one’s finances, credit rating, reputation, and peace of mind.
What is TLS, and how does it protect in-transit emails?
TLS (Transport Layer Security) is an encryption protocol that secures information sent from devices over the web through point-to-point security. As an evolved version of SSL (Secure Sockets Layer), TLS has been adopted by most email service providers to prevent hackers and eavesdroppers from seeing in-transit data. Without TLS, when an email travels from a client device to a recipient device through any number of servers, it appears in plain text. Anyone along the path can eavesdrop on that open message by snooping the Internet Service Provider or catching the message at a wireless hotspot at a coffee shop or an airport.
TLS solves this problem by providing a security protocol for in-transit emails. When TLS-encrypted emails are carried through protected email servers—that is, between both client and recipient servers—eavesdropping on the email’s content is virtually impossible. Just as SSL secures web connections through HTTPS, TLS adds another layer of protection for email transport.
Key Features in TLS
TLS offers two key features to protect email messages as they travel from sender to receiver:
- Encrypted Messages: Transport Layer Security uses PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) to secure data from one mail server to another, making it difficult for perpetrators to access and use the data with the proprietary key that unlocks it.
- Authentication: Transport Layer Security authenticates the receiving servers through digital certificates. The sending servers’ authentication isn’t required, it’s optional. The authentication service verifies the identity of the receiver, thus blocking spoofing attempts.
Weaknesses of TLS Protocol
While it’s true that TLS creates a secure connection between a client and a server, it has weaknesses that still leave email messages open to breaches.
- MiM Attacks – Even though TLS usually secures a connection between two devices or servers, some TLS versions are still prone to MiM (Man-in-the-middle) Attacks. Common MiM cyber attacks to which TLS is vulnerable include DROWN, SLOTH, and POODLE. Despite being secured by TLS, a MIM can still access the email’s content if the user has an unsupported or older version of TLS.
- High Latency – As compared to other secured encryption processes, TLS Connection has a comparatively higher latency rate. According to a StackPath Study, TLS-encrypted connections have a latency rate that is 5ms longer than connections without encryption. This latency provides eavesdroppers with a window of time to try to break into the message. Though the window is narrow, it may be sufficient for a determined hacker to take advantage.
- Limited Platform Support – Although the latest TLS version is supported by almost all email platforms, TLS 1.3 is supported on only a limited number of platforms. Microsoft is still having a hard time with implementation. Therefore, Outlook users can’t be sure if they have a secure TLS-enabled connection.
What happens if the receiver’s email service does not use TLS?
To build a secure connection, both senders and receivers must enable TLS. If the receiver’s end does not have TLS, the email message will be delivered to a non-secure connection. Hence, a non-secure link can be vulnerable to inevitable cyber attacks.
While TLS encryption is undoubtedly secure, it doesn’t provide one hundred percent security. Trustifi is a renowned email security platform for businesses that goes beyond TLS. It provides true
end-to-end encryption and a simple solution to every problem in email messaging. Don’t give up on email. Contact Trustifi to learn how they can protect email traffic at an affordable price.
