Sending an email is as simple as typing text and clicking the “Send” button. However, the processes behind the scenes are not that simple. It takes a lot of hardware, software, networks and protocols to get that email to the other end securely.
Email authentication mechanisms like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC play an important role in ensuring that only legitimate emails reach their final destinations while filtering out spam and fraudulent emails. However, they do not provide end-to-end email security because emails are vulnerable to Man-in-the-Middle attacks when in transit between mail servers using SMTP .
For this purpose, a relatively the datasets you see in the image above newer technology known as Mail Transfer Agent – Strict Transport Security (MTA-STS) has been introduced.
So what exactly is MTA-STS technology?
What is MTA-STS?
Mail Transfer Agent Strict Transport Security (MTA-STS) is a security standard designed to encrypt email transmissions over SMTP. Unlike traditional SMTP, which lacks native security features, MTA-STS provides a secure channel for email transmission by verifying server identities and using TLS encryption.
History
SMTP was first introduced selection and evaluation of h5 web page production software in 1982 without any built-in security features. Although STARTTLS was added in 1999 to provide some encryption, more was needed to prevent Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks. This led to the development of MTA-STS, which encrypts email and authenticates the server.
Why is MTA-STS needed?
MTA-STS ensures that the mail server communicates with the authorized SMTP server that has the authority to relay the email, not with a hacker. This also ensures that the content of the mail has not been altered (verified by DKIM’s digital signature).
While no security measure canada cell numbers is 100% foolproof, MTA-STS adds an extra layer of security when combined with TLS reporting. The older protocol that replaced MTA-STS, STARTTLS, left room for hackers to maneuver because it did not always provide TLS encryption for every connection. However, MTA-STS solves this problem and prevents downgrade attacks.
It also eliminates Man-in-the-Middle attacks and keeps the content and sender of the mail private and unexploited. Additionally, it addresses the issue of expired TLS certificates.
On the other hand, TLS reporting also provides several advantages. TLS reporting informs you about successful or failed email connections and helps diagnose problems with TLS handshake.
Requirements for MTA-STS
Although it is an email security technology, not everyone can configure MTA-STS for their own domain name. Before you can configure MTA-STS, certain conditions must be met by the mail server, which are as follows:
- A server that can accept mail transfers over a TLS connection
- Uses at least TLS version 1.2.
- TLS certificates must be up to date and must have the servers specified in your MX records .
- Must be trusted by the root certificate authority.
If your mail server meets these requirements, you can configure MTA-STS on it to increase your email security.