Best Practices for Email Server Security

The email server is a network that can help you send and receive your emails. Let’s suppose two people are using Gmail accounts. It is an email server that helps them communicate. In this blog post, we will discuss best practices for email server security.

When we write an email, it follows some steps before going to our client’s inbox. It moves towards our email server. Our email server then performs a lookup, which is called a DNS lookup, to find our client server address.

Then our server transfers it to our client’s email server, where the checking process starts, The client’s server searches to see if the domain from the sender and receiver is available or not, and then it stores your message in your client’s mailbox, where your clients read it.

Eight Best Practices for Email Server Security

The incoming emails from a source are called IMAP, and outgoing email services are called SMTP. SMTP servers help send and receive emails from different sources, like Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo. It required to apply security practices for all kinds of servers.

There are eight best practices that we can use for email server security. You can apply these steps to any of the servers you are using, like email server software, Microsoft Exchange, Postfix, Sendmail, and others. These eight practices are mentioned below: 

Avoiding Open Relay Configuration

On most email servers, there is an option for open relay configuration, through which anyone can send emails using your server. The first is to avoid an open relay configuration. Open relay configuration is a risk for your server. 

When spammers send spam messages through your server or store spam messages in your email, it will block your DNS system and in the future, you will be unable to send emails. Allow only trusted users, generate a strong password, and update your software.

Set a Strong Password

On most servers, there is the option of autogenerated or default passwords; most users do not change this password. It is important to change this password. Furthermore, Changing this password will secure your account and privacy. Otherwise, it will cause many problems.

If you keep the default password, there may be a chance for hackers to hack your system. Always keep a strong password. An example of a strong password contains capital letters, small letters, numbers, and other characters. After that implement SPF.

Implementing SPF

SPF stands for sender policy framework. It is all about the setting of the TXT record. In this, you need to give instructions to  (IP addresses or domains) for sending emails on your behalf. You can also make your SMTP secure with this setting. 

Regularly Update your email server

If your email server asks for updates, do not relay them. Update it on time so that it will fix the bug and other errors. Updating is a process that helps software, programs, and applications stay secure. Additionally, you can also enable two-factor authentication (2FA).

Implement robust spam and malware filtering mechanisms

Implementing robust spam and malware filtering mechanisms is about using some software, like Anti-virus software. This is also called spam filtering This kind of software protects your emails and your server. It helps protect against unwanted and harmful emails. 

DNSBL for Email server security

For email server security, you can also use the DNSBL system. DNSBL works similarly with police check posts. It helps you to find spam emails and block them. For a better result, you can use a spam filtering process that helps secure mail server.

Use SURBL for server security

It works similarly to DNSBL, but DNSBL is well known for finding those IP addresses that are considered spam. SURBL is well known for finding URLs that are used in an email. It scans the URL to see whether it is spam or not. DNSBL focuses on IP addresses, while SURBL focuses on URLs. Both are used to block spam emails, and both are used for email server security. These are all steps that you can follow for the security of your email server.

TLS for Email Server Security

Transport layer security is a way you can secure any email server. It is the best fit for those who are using POP3 encryption. Moreover, Its function is to make the devices encrypted and protected. TLS helps to stop unauthorized access and your email becomes more secure.

These are eight best practices for email server security. By applying these eight practices, you can make your email server more secure. This includes avoiding an open relay configuration, Setting a Strong Password, and Implementing SPF.

Additionally, regularly updating your email server and implementing robust spam and malware filtering mechanisms, DNSB, and SURBL help you make your server secure. So, all these steps are important for all to apply.