To view email headers in most email clients, locate the options menu and select “View Original” or “Show Headers.” This reveals detailed information about the email’s path, sender, and authentication status.
When you get an email, it’s easy to just read the message and move on. But have you ever wondered what’s going on behind the scenes? Email headers hold a treasure trove of information about your email, and knowing how to read them can help you troubleshoot issues, spot spam, and understand more about your communication. Let’s dive into the world of email headers and break it down step by step.
What Are Email Headers?
Email headers are like the address on a letter, but way more detailed. They contain information about the sender, recipient, subject, and the path the email took to get to your inbox. Think of them as the behind-the-scenes ticket that shows you how your email got to you.
Why Should You Care About Email Headers?
Understanding email headers can help you:
- Identify Spam: Spotting suspicious emails becomes easier.
- Troubleshoot Issues: If an email doesn’t arrive, headers can help you figure out why.
- Verify Authenticity: Check if an email is really from who it says it’s from.
How to View Email Headers in Different Email Clients
Now that you know what email headers are, let’s see how to find them in popular email clients. Each client has its own way of displaying headers, so we’ll break it down by platform.
Gmail
- Open the Email: Click on the email you want to check.
- More Options: Click the three dots in the top right corner of the email.
- Show Original: Select “Show original.” This will open a new window with the full headers.
Outlook
- Open the Email: Double-click the email to open it in a new window.
- File Tab: Click on the “File” tab in the top left corner.
- Properties: Select “Properties.” The headers will be in the “Internet headers” section.
Apple Mail
- Open the Email: Click on the email you want to inspect.
- View Menu: Go to the “View” menu at the top.
- Message: Select “Message” and then “All Headers.” You’ll see the headers displayed at the top of the email.
Yahoo Mail
- Open the Email: Click on the email you want to view.
- More Options: Click on the three dots in the top right corner.
- View Raw Message: Select “View Raw Message” to see the headers.
Key Components of Email Headers
Once you’ve found the headers, it’s time to decode them. Here are some key components you’ll often see:
From
This shows who sent the email. It’s the name and email address of the sender. But be careful! Just because it says it’s from someone you know doesn’t mean it’s really them.
To
This is the recipient’s email address. It tells you who the email was sent to.
Subject
The subject line gives you a quick idea of what the email is about. It’s like the title of a book.
Date
This tells you when the email was sent. It’s important for keeping track of your conversations.
Message-ID
Every email has a unique identifier. This helps email servers keep track of messages and can be useful if you need to reference a specific email.
Received
This section shows the path the email took to get to you. It lists all the servers that handled the email along the way. If you’re trying to figure out if an email is legit, this is a good place to look.
SPF and DKIM
These are security features that help verify the sender’s identity. SPF (Sender Policy Framework) checks if the email comes from an authorized server, while DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) adds a digital signature to the email. If these checks fail, it could be a sign of spam or phishing.
Common Issues and How to Troubleshoot
Sometimes, emails don’t arrive as expected. Here are some common issues and how to use headers to troubleshoot them.
Email Not Arriving
If you’re waiting for an important email that never shows up, check your spam folder first. If it’s not there, look at the headers of a similar email you received. Check the “Received” section to see if there were any delays or issues with the servers.
Suspicious Emails
If you get an email that seems off, check the “From” address. If it looks strange or doesn’t match the sender’s usual email, it could be a phishing attempt. Also, look for any discrepancies in the “Received” section.
Delivery Issues
If you’re sending emails and they’re bouncing back, check the headers of the bounced email. The headers will often include a reason for the bounce, which can help you fix the issue.