<h1 class="" data-start="136" data-end="213">How to Analyze Email Headers Online to Trace the Source and Detect Spoofing</h1>
<p class="" data-start="215" data-end="639">In a world increasingly dominated by digital communication, email remains a primary channel for both personal and professional interactions. Unfortunately, this also makes it a common target for scams, phishing, and spoofing attacks. Many of these threats can be uncovered by analyzing the email header &mdash; a hidden set of data that contains a wealth of information about where an email came from and how it got to your inbox.

<p class="" data-start="641" data-end="924">This article will walk you step by step through the process of analyzing email headers online, how to trace the source of an email, and how to detect signs of spoofing or fraud. The best part? You don't need to be a cybersecurity expert &mdash; just a bit of curiosity and caution will do.online email header analysis

<hr class="" data-start="926" data-end="929" />
<h2 class="" data-start="931" data-end="958">What Is an Email Header?</h2>
<p class="" data-start="960" data-end="1139">An <strong data-start="963" data-end="979">email header is a hidden section of every email that contains metadata &mdash; the technical details about the message. Unlike the message body (which you read), the header logs:

<ul data-start="1141" data-end="1293">
<li class="" data-start="1141" data-end="1178">
<p class="" data-start="1143" data-end="1178">The email servers it passed through

</li>
<li class="" data-start="1179" data-end="1221">
<p class="" data-start="1181" data-end="1221">The sender and recipient email addresses

</li>
<li class="" data-start="1222" data-end="1234">
<p class="" data-start="1224" data-end="1234">Timestamps

</li>
<li class="" data-start="1235" data-end="1249">
<p class="" data-start="1237" data-end="1249">IP addresses

</li>
<li class="" data-start="1250" data-end="1293">
<p class="" data-start="1252" data-end="1293">Authentication results (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)

</li>
</ul>
<p class="" data-start="1295" data-end="1436">This makes it a powerful tool in tracing where an email originated and spotting inconsistencies that may signal spoofing or malicious intent.

<hr class="" data-start="1438" data-end="1441" />
<h2 class="" data-start="1443" data-end="1472">Why Analyze Email Headers?</h2>
<p class="" data-start="1474" data-end="1542">Here are some common scenarios where header analysis can be crucial:

<ul data-start="1544" data-end="1741">
<li class="" data-start="1544" data-end="1598">
<p class="" data-start="1546" data-end="1598"><strong data-start="1546" data-end="1576">Verifying the authenticity of a suspicious email

</li>
<li class="" data-start="1599" data-end="1629">
<p class="" data-start="1601" data-end="1629"><strong data-start="1601" data-end="1629">Tracing phishing attacks

</li>
<li class="" data-start="1630" data-end="1674">
<p class="" data-start="1632" data-end="1674"><strong data-start="1632" data-end="1663">Checking for forged senders (spoofing)

</li>
<li class="" data-start="1675" data-end="1704">
<p class="" data-start="1677" data-end="1704"><strong data-start="1677" data-end="1704">Reporting spam or fraud

</li>
<li class="" data-start="1705" data-end="1741">
<p class="" data-start="1707" data-end="1741"><strong data-start="1707" data-end="1741">Uncovering compromised servers

</li>
</ul>
<p class="" data-start="1743" data-end="1776">Now let&rsquo;s dive into how to do it.

<hr class="" data-start="1778" data-end="1781" />
<h2 class="" data-start="1783" data-end="1822">Step 1: Access the Full Email Header</h2>
<p class="" data-start="1824" data-end="1929">Each email client or service displays headers differently. Here&rsquo;s how to access them in popular services:

<h3 class="" data-start="1931" data-end="1941">Gmail:</h3>
<ol data-start="1942" data-end="2124">
<li class="" data-start="1942" data-end="1971">
<p class="" data-start="1945" data-end="1971">Open the suspicious email.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="1972" data-end="2032">
<p class="" data-start="1975" data-end="2032">Click the three vertical dots (top-right of the message).

</li>
<li class="" data-start="2033" data-end="2063">
<p class="" data-start="2036" data-end="2063">Select <strong data-start="2043" data-end="2063">&ldquo;Show original.&rdquo;

</li>
<li class="" data-start="2064" data-end="2124">
<p class="" data-start="2067" data-end="2124">A new tab will open with the full header and raw message.

</li>
</ol>
<h3 class="" data-start="2126" data-end="2144">Outlook (Web):</h3>
<ol data-start="2145" data-end="2244">
<li class="" data-start="2145" data-end="2163">
<p class="" data-start="2148" data-end="2163">Open the email.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="2164" data-end="2207">
<p class="" data-start="2167" data-end="2207">Click the three dots (top-right corner).

</li>
<li class="" data-start="2208" data-end="2244">
<p class="" data-start="2211" data-end="2244">Choose <strong data-start="2218" data-end="2244">&ldquo;View message source.&rdquo;

</li>
</ol>
<h3 class="" data-start="2246" data-end="2261">Yahoo Mail:</h3>
<ol data-start="2262" data-end="2362">
<li class="" data-start="2262" data-end="2280">
<p class="" data-start="2265" data-end="2280">Open the email.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="2281" data-end="2328">
<p class="" data-start="2284" data-end="2328">Click the three-dot menu in the upper right.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="2329" data-end="2362">
<p class="" data-start="2332" data-end="2362">Select <strong data-start="2339" data-end="2362">&ldquo;View raw message.&rdquo;

</li>
</ol>
<h3 class="" data-start="2364" data-end="2379">Apple Mail:</h3>
<ol data-start="2380" data-end="2463">
<li class="" data-start="2380" data-end="2398">
<p class="" data-start="2383" data-end="2398">Open the email.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="2399" data-end="2463">
<p class="" data-start="2402" data-end="2463">Click <strong data-start="2408" data-end="2440">View > Message > All Headers from the top menu bar.

</li>
</ol>
<p class="" data-start="2465" data-end="2525">Copy the entire header text. You&rsquo;ll use it in the next step.

<hr class="" data-start="2527" data-end="2530" />
<h2 class="" data-start="2532" data-end="2578">Step 2: Use an Online Email Header Analyzer</h2>
<p class="" data-start="2580" data-end="2743">Once you&rsquo;ve copied the header, paste it into a trusted online analyzer. These tools parse the complex metadata into human-readable form. Some popular ones include:

<ul data-start="2745" data-end="3109">
<li class="" data-start="2745" data-end="2837">
<p class="" data-start="2747" data-end="2837"><a target="_new" rel="noopener" data-start="2747" data-end="2837">Google&rsquo;s Admin Toolbox Messageheader</a>

</li>
<li class="" data-start="2838" data-end="2914">
<p class="" data-start="2840" data-end="2914"><a target="_new" rel="noopener" data-start="2840" data-end="2914">MxToolbox Email Header Analyzer</a>

</li>
<li class="" data-start="2915" data-end="3010">
<p class="" data-start="2917" data-end="3010"><a target="_new" rel="noopener" data-start="2917" data-end="3010">IP Tracker Email Header Analyzer</a>

</li>
<li class="" data-start="3011" data-end="3109">
<p class="" data-start="3013" data-end="3109"><a target="_new" rel="noopener" data-start="3013" data-end="3109">WhoisXML Email Verifier</a>

</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="" data-start="3111" data-end="3131">How to Use Them:</h3>
<ol data-start="3132" data-end="3410">
<li class="" data-start="3132" data-end="3171">
<p class="" data-start="3135" data-end="3171">Visit one of the tools listed above.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="3172" data-end="3223">
<p class="" data-start="3175" data-end="3223">Paste your email header into the designated box.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="3224" data-end="3255">
<p class="" data-start="3227" data-end="3255">Click &ldquo;Analyze&rdquo; or &ldquo;Submit.&rdquo;

</li>
<li class="" data-start="3256" data-end="3410">
<p class="" data-start="3259" data-end="3303">Review the results, which typically include:

<ul data-start="3307" data-end="3410">
<li class="" data-start="3307" data-end="3332">
<p class="" data-start="3309" data-end="3332">Hop-by-hop IP addresses

</li>
<li class="" data-start="3336" data-end="3355">
<p class="" data-start="3338" data-end="3355">Server timestamps

</li>
<li class="" data-start="3359" data-end="3382">
<p class="" data-start="3361" data-end="3382">SPF/DKIM/DMARC status

</li>
<li class="" data-start="3386" data-end="3410">
<p class="" data-start="3388" data-end="3410">Flagged irregularities

</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ol>
<hr class="" data-start="3412" data-end="3415" />
<h2 class="" data-start="3417" data-end="3457">Step 3: Interpret the Header Analysis</h2>
<p class="" data-start="3459" data-end="3536">Let&rsquo;s break down key elements of a typical email header and what to look for.

<h3 class="" data-start="3538" data-end="3565">1. <strong data-start="3545" data-end="3563">Received Lines</h3>
<p class="" data-start="3566" data-end="3765">These show the path the email took through various servers &mdash; from sender to receiver. They are listed in <strong data-start="3671" data-end="3688">reverse order (the last server listed is usually the one that delivered it to your inbox).

<h4 class="" data-start="3767" data-end="3781">Look for:</h4>
<ul data-start="3782" data-end="4056">
<li class="" data-start="3782" data-end="3845">
<p class="" data-start="3784" data-end="3845"><strong data-start="3784" data-end="3804">Inconsistent IPs: IP addresses from suspicious locations.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="3846" data-end="3925">
<p class="" data-start="3848" data-end="3925"><strong data-start="3848" data-end="3875">Big jumps in timestamps: Delays could signal relays or spoofing attempts.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="3926" data-end="4056">
<p class="" data-start="3928" data-end="4056"><strong data-start="3928" data-end="3957">Unexpected email services: An email claiming to be from PayPal should ideally originate from a PayPal domain or mail server.

</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="" data-start="4058" data-end="4080">2. <strong data-start="4065" data-end="4080">Return-Path</h3>
<p class="" data-start="4081" data-end="4177">This is where bounce-back emails go. If it doesn&rsquo;t match the sender's domain, it may be spoofed.

<h3 class="" data-start="4179" data-end="4207">3. <strong data-start="4186" data-end="4207">From and Reply-To</h3>
<p class="" data-start="4208" data-end="4315">Compare these fields. Spoofers may forge the "From" field but redirect responses to a different "Reply-To."

<h3 class="" data-start="4317" data-end="4350">4. <strong data-start="4324" data-end="4350">Authentication Results</h3>
<p class="" data-start="4351" data-end="4422">This is one of the most critical parts in detecting spoofing. Look for:

<ul data-start="4424" data-end="4859">
<li class="" data-start="4424" data-end="4578">
<p class="" data-start="4426" data-end="4460"><strong data-start="4426" data-end="4459">SPF (Sender Policy Framework):

<ul data-start="4463" data-end="4578">
<li class="" data-start="4463" data-end="4537">
<p class="" data-start="4465" data-end="4537">Checks if the sending server is allowed to send on behalf of the domain.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="4540" data-end="4578">
<p class="" data-start="4542" data-end="4578">Example: <code data-start="4551" data-end="4561">spf=pass</code> means it passed.

</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="" data-start="4579" data-end="4699">
<p class="" data-start="4581" data-end="4619"><strong data-start="4581" data-end="4618">DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail):

<ul data-start="4622" data-end="4699">
<li class="" data-start="4622" data-end="4699">
<p class="" data-start="4624" data-end="4699">Verifies the message hasn't been altered and was signed by the real domain.

</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="" data-start="4700" data-end="4859">
<p class="" data-start="4702" data-end="4775"><strong data-start="4702" data-end="4774">DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance):

<ul data-start="4778" data-end="4859">
<li class="" data-start="4778" data-end="4859">
<p class="" data-start="4780" data-end="4859">Enforces SPF and DKIM; tells recipient servers what to do with failed messages.

</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p class="" data-start="4861" data-end="4932">If you see <code data-start="4872" data-end="4882">spf=fail</code>, <code data-start="4884" data-end="4895">dkim=fail</code>, or <code data-start="4900" data-end="4912">dmarc=fail</code>, that&rsquo;s a red flag.

<hr class="" data-start="4934" data-end="4937" />
<h2 class="" data-start="4939" data-end="4980">Step 4: Identify the Source IP Address</h2>
<p class="" data-start="4982" data-end="5117">Most spoofed emails will obscure their real origins. But in the <strong data-start="5046" data-end="5078">first "Received" header line, you&rsquo;ll often find the originating IP.

<h3 class="" data-start="5119" data-end="5139">How to trace it:</h3>
<ol data-start="5140" data-end="5393">
<li class="" data-start="5140" data-end="5163">
<p class="" data-start="5143" data-end="5163">Copy the IP address.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="5164" data-end="5248">
<p class="" data-start="5167" data-end="5248">Go to iplocation.net or ipinfo.io.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="5249" data-end="5393">
<p class="" data-start="5252" data-end="5272">Paste the IP to see:

<ul data-start="5276" data-end="5393">
<li class="" data-start="5276" data-end="5307">
<p class="" data-start="5278" data-end="5307">The city, region, and country

</li>
<li class="" data-start="5311" data-end="5340">
<p class="" data-start="5313" data-end="5340">The ISP or hosting provider

</li>
<li class="" data-start="5344" data-end="5393">
<p class="" data-start="5346" data-end="5393">If it's a known spam host or compromised server

</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ol>
<p class="" data-start="5395" data-end="5524">If an email claims to come from your boss in New York but traces back to a server in Russia or Nigeria, you know something&rsquo;s off.

<hr class="" data-start="5526" data-end="5529" />
<h2 class="" data-start="5531" data-end="5581">Step 5: Red Flags That Signal Spoofing or Fraud</h2>
<p class="" data-start="5583" data-end="5645">Here are warning signs to look out for during header analysis:

<ul data-start="5647" data-end="5901">
<li class="" data-start="5647" data-end="5693">
<p class="" data-start="5649" data-end="5693"><strong data-start="5649" data-end="5693">Mismatch in From and Return-Path domains

</li>
<li class="" data-start="5694" data-end="5731">
<p class="" data-start="5696" data-end="5731"><strong data-start="5696" data-end="5731">No SPF/DKIM records or failures

</li>
<li class="" data-start="5732" data-end="5789">
<p class="" data-start="5734" data-end="5789"><strong data-start="5734" data-end="5789">IP address location doesn&rsquo;t match sender&rsquo;s identity

</li>
<li class="" data-start="5790" data-end="5837">
<p class="" data-start="5792" data-end="5837"><strong data-start="5792" data-end="5837">Suspicious relays through unknown servers

</li>
<li class="" data-start="5838" data-end="5901">
<p class="" data-start="5840" data-end="5901"><strong data-start="5840" data-end="5861">Fake domain names (like paypa1.com instead of paypal.com)

</li>
</ul>
<p class="" data-start="5903" data-end="5986">Even if the email body seems convincing, a look under the hood can reveal the scam.

<hr class="" data-start="5988" data-end="5991" />
<h2 class="" data-start="5993" data-end="6038">Step 6: What to Do If You Suspect Spoofing</h2>
<p class="" data-start="6040" data-end="6096">If you determine that an email is spoofed or fraudulent:

<ol data-start="6098" data-end="6485">
<li class="" data-start="6098" data-end="6148">
<p class="" data-start="6101" data-end="6148"><strong data-start="6101" data-end="6132">Do not reply or click links in the message.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="6149" data-end="6234">
<p class="" data-start="6152" data-end="6234"><strong data-start="6152" data-end="6172">Report the email to your IT department, email provider, or anti-phishing team.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="6235" data-end="6295">
<p class="" data-start="6238" data-end="6295"><strong data-start="6238" data-end="6268">Block the sender or domain using your email settings.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="6296" data-end="6485">
<p class="" data-start="6299" data-end="6334"><strong data-start="6299" data-end="6333">Report phishing to authorities:

<ul data-start="6338" data-end="6485">
<li class="" data-start="6338" data-end="6385">
<p class="" data-start="6340" data-end="6385">Gmail: report phishing via the three-dot menu

</li>
<li class="" data-start="6389" data-end="6440">
<p class="" data-start="6391" data-end="6440">Microsoft: forward to <strong data-start="6413" data-end="6440">reportphishing@apwg.org

</li>
<li class="" data-start="6444" data-end="6485">
<p class="" data-start="6446" data-end="6485">US Gov: <strong data-start="6454" data-end="6485">phishing-report@us-cert.gov

</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ol>
<hr class="" data-start="6487" data-end="6490" />
<h2 class="" data-start="6492" data-end="6509">Final Thoughts</h2>
<p class="" data-start="6511" data-end="6835">Understanding how to analyze email headers is like having a magnifying glass for your inbox. While scammers grow more sophisticated, their efforts often leave digital fingerprints in the email metadata. By learning how to interpret headers and using free online tools, you gain a powerful defense against spoofing and fraud.



<p class="" data-start="6837" data-end="6977">So next time you receive a suspicious email, don't just trust the "From" name &mdash; dig a little deeper. Your email header holds the real story.