Certified Incident Handler (CIH) Practice Ecam

Which of the following is NOT a method to secure email communications?

1. Using encrypted connections

2. Employing firewall rules

3. Implementing spam filters

4. Sending emails in plain text

The correct answer is: Sending emails in plain text

Sending emails in plain text is indeed not a method to secure email communications. When emails are sent in plain text, they are transmitted without any encryption, making them easily readable by anyone who intercepts the communication. This lack of encryption exposes sensitive information, as there are no safeguards in place to protect the content of the email from unauthorized access. In contrast, using encrypted connections, such as Transport Layer Security (TLS), ensures that the data being transmitted is encrypted, protecting it from eavesdropping. Employing firewall rules can help prevent unauthorized access to email servers and block malicious traffic, thus indirectly contributing to email security. Implementing spam filters helps to reduce the risk of phishing attempts and malware-laden emails, enhancing overall security. Each of these methods actively contributes to the protection and confidentiality of email communications, whereas sending emails in plain text does the opposite, leaving them vulnerable.