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Quizzes > Quizzes for Business > Technology

Take the Email Security Awareness Quiz

Boost Email Security Skills and Phishing Awareness

Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art illustrating a quiz on Email Security Awareness

Looking to sharpen email security skills and spot phishing scams? The Email Security Awareness Quiz offers 15 multiple-choice questions designed for students, educators, or professionals eager to strengthen their defenses. Learners will gain actionable strategies for safe email practices, from encryption basics to suspicious link identification. Feel free to customize this quiz in our editor and explore related Email Phishing Awareness Quiz or Security Awareness Training Quiz in the quizzes collection.

What term describes fraudulent emails designed to trick you into revealing personal information?
Phishing
Spam
Encryption
Firewall
Phishing refers to deceptive emails that impersonate legitimate sources to steal personal data. It is a common email security threat. Recognizing phishing is key to avoiding data breaches.
Which of the following is a characteristic of a strong password?
Contains only your birthdate and name
Is a common dictionary word
Includes uppercase, lowercase, digits, and symbols
Is shorter than six characters
A strong password uses a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. This complexity makes it harder for attackers to guess or brute-force the password. Mixing character types enhances security.
What is a common sign of a phishing email?
Email contains poor spelling and grammar
Email is sent from a known internal address
Email asks you to read a newsletter
Email comes with a company logo
Poor spelling and grammar are red flags that an email may be fraudulent. Legitimate organizations usually proofread their communications. Spotting these errors helps in identifying phishing attempts.
Which action should you take first when you receive an unexpected email attachment?
Scan it with antivirus software
Open it to check content
Forward it to all contacts
Delete the entire email without checking
Scanning unexpected attachments with antivirus software helps detect malware before you open the file. This step reduces the risk of infection. It is a safe first response to unknown attachments.
What does the abbreviation MFA stand for in email security?
Multi-Factor Authentication
Mail Forwarding Agreement
Message Filtering Algorithm
Most Frequent Access
MFA stands for Multi-Factor Authentication, which requires more than one method of verification. It significantly reduces unauthorized access risks. Combining factors like passwords and OTPs strengthens email security.
Which email header field shows the actual source IP address of the sender?
From
Received
Subject
To
The Received header is added by each mail server the message passes through and includes the sender's IP address. Examining this field helps verify the true origin. It is useful for detecting spoofed senders.
What email authentication protocol helps prevent spoofing by verifying the sender domain?
SPF
IMAP
SMTP
POP3
SPF (Sender Policy Framework) allows domain owners to specify authorized sending IP addresses. Receiving servers check SPF records to validate the sender. This reduces the risk of domain spoofing.
Which practice improves email privacy when sending sensitive documents?
Use plain text for email
Send over public Wi-Fi
Encrypt the email
Use a public contact form
Encrypting an email ensures that its content can only be read by the intended recipient. This protects sensitive documents from eavesdropping. Both S/MIME and PGP are common encryption methods.
Which step is essential to verify a PGP-signed email?
Look for a lock icon in your browser
Check the digital signature with the sender's public key
Ensure the sender uses TLS
Look for a padlock in the subject line
Verifying a PGP-signed email involves checking the digital signature against the sender's public key. A successful match confirms message integrity and authenticity. This prevents tampering and impersonation.
A link in an email reads "http://bit.ly/12345". What is the safest action?
Click it immediately
Copy and paste into your browser
Hover to preview the full URL
Forward it to all contacts
Hovering over a shortened link reveals the full URL before clicking. This helps detect malicious destinations. It is a simple way to evaluate suspicious links safely.
What is the purpose of DKIM in email security?
Blocks spam at the gateway
Signs emails to verify they haven't been tampered with
Scans attachments for malware
Encrypts entire email content
DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) adds a digital signature to outgoing messages. Receiving servers verify this signature using the sender's public key. This process ensures message integrity and sender authenticity.
How often is it recommended to change your email password for good security hygiene?
Only when you suspect a breach
Every 90 days
Never change it
Every 10 years
Changing passwords every 90 days is a common best practice to limit the window of opportunity for attackers. Regular updates reduce the risk of compromised credentials. Combined with unique passwords, this boosts security.
If you suspect a password-reset email is a phishing attempt, what should you do?
Click the link to check if it's real
Reply asking for verification
Manually navigate to the official site and log in
Delete your account
Manually visiting the official website reduces the risk of clicking malicious links. It ensures you're on the legitimate platform. This practice avoids potential phishing traps.
What type of encryption uses the same key for both encryption and decryption?
Asymmetric encryption
Symmetric encryption
Hash-based encryption
One-time pad
Symmetric encryption uses a single shared key for encryption and decryption. It is fast and efficient for large data volumes. However, secure key exchange is critical to its safety.
Which measure helps protect email traffic when using public Wi-Fi?
Use a VPN
Disable your firewall
Use an unsecured HTTP connection
Turn off antivirus
A VPN encrypts all traffic between your device and the VPN server, protecting email content on public networks. This prevents attackers from intercepting data. It's a vital tool for secure remote access.
You see an email from your CEO requesting confidential salary data. The From address looks correct but the Return-Path domain differs. What does this mismatch indicate?
The email was forwarded internally
Possible email spoofing
The email is encrypted
The attachment is safe
A Return-Path domain that doesn't match the From address suggests the sender address was forged. This is a common sign of spoofing. Verifying header fields helps detect these threats.
How does DMARC enhance email security when combined with SPF and DKIM?
Encrypts messages end to end
Scans attachments for malware
Replaces SPF and DKIM entirely
Provides policy enforcement and reporting for domain owners
DMARC builds on SPF and DKIM by allowing domain owners to publish policies on how to handle unauthenticated mail. It also provides detailed reports on authentication failures. This creates a feedback loop to improve domain protection.
When implementing S/MIME, which component ensures non-repudiation?
Symmetric encryption key
Digital certificate and signature
TLS handshake
Antivirus signature
S/MIME non-repudiation relies on digital certificates and private key signatures. This ensures the sender cannot deny having sent the message. It provides both integrity and origin authentication.
You receive a .zip attachment named invoice.pdf.zip from an unknown sender. What's the most secure action?
Unzip and open immediately
Rename it and open later
Scan it with antivirus and confirm with sender first
Disable antivirus then open
Scanning the attachment and verifying its legitimacy with the sender prevents executing hidden malware. Unknown double extensions often hide malicious executables. Always confirm before opening risky files.
Even if an email is encrypted during transit, which risk still remains?
Attachment will always be safe
All metadata is hidden
Sender's IP address and header metadata remain visible
Email cannot be delivered
Transport encryption protects content in transit but does not hide metadata such as IP addresses and header fields. Attackers can still analyze headers for patterns. Additional measures are needed to secure metadata.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify common email security threats like phishing.
  2. Analyse suspicious email cues and sender details.
  3. Evaluate safe email practices and password protocols.
  4. Apply encryption and authentication measures to emails.
  5. Demonstrate proper handling of unexpected attachments.
  6. Master strategies for maintaining email privacy and security.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Recognize Common Email Security Threats - Phishing comes in many flavors, from mass-produced scam blasts to highly targeted spear phishing that uses personal tidbits to fool you. By sharpening your threat radar, you'll learn to spot red flags before clicking anything risky. Bath University phishing guide
  2. Analyze Suspicious Email Cues - Keep an eye out for generic greetings, alarming phrases like "Act Now!", and surprise attachments that you didn't ask for. These tactics are classic phishing hallmarks designed to trigger panic and impulsive clicks. Derby IT Service Centre tips
  3. Evaluate Sender Details Carefully - Always double-check the sender's address - cyber tricksters love spoofing real domains to look legit. A quick glance at spelling oddities or unusual domains can save you from handing over sensitive info. Oxford InfoSec phishing advice
  4. Implement Strong Password Protocols - Ditch "Password123" and embrace unique, complex passphrases for each account - think of each like its own secret handshake. Regularly rotating passwords is a juicy bonus that keeps attackers on their toes. Oxford InfoSec password protocols
  5. Apply Email Encryption and Authentication - Scrambling your emails with encryption and using protocols like DKIM and SPF helps confirm who really sent a message and keeps prying eyes out. These defenses are like putting a padlock on your digital mailbox. TechTarget security features
  6. Handle Unexpected Attachments with Caution - That mysterious .exe or .docx file could hide malicious code eager to invade your system. When in doubt, verify with the sender or scan attachments with up-to-date antivirus software. Ole Miss IT security tips
  7. Maintain Email Privacy and Security - Treat your inbox like a treasure chest: guard personal data, avoid oversharing, and keep security software patched and primed. Regular updates are your best ally against ever-evolving threats. University of Edinburgh guidance
  8. Understand Social Engineering Tactics - Phishers exploit our natural tendencies - authority, scarcity, and social proof - to nudge us into mistakes. By learning these psychological tricks, you'll be ready to say "Not today!" to manipulative emails. arXiv social engineering research
  9. Utilize Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) - Adding a one-time code or mobile prompt on top of your password is like setting up a second security checkpoint. Even if a hacker nabs your password, they'll still need that extra key. Ole Miss 2FA implementation
  10. Stay Informed About Current Phishing Scams - Cybercriminals continually reinvent their playbook, so subscribe to trusted alerts and updates. A little ongoing research keeps you one step ahead of the latest phishing ploys. University of Sussex phishing help
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