Mail header analyzer

A mail header analyzer is a tool that examines the headers of an email message to extract information about the sender, recipient, date, time, and other details. Here are some common features of a mail header analyzer:

  1. Header parsing: The tool breaks down the email header into its individual components, such as the From, To, CC, BCC, Date, and Subject fields.
  2. Header analysis: The tool analyzes each header component to extract relevant information, such as the sender's email address, recipient's email address, date and time of sending, and other metadata.
  3. Header validation: The tool checks the validity of the email headers, ensuring that they conform to the relevant email standards and protocols (e.g., RFC 5322).
  4. Header filtering: The tool allows users to filter the headers based on specific criteria, such as sender, recipient, date range, or keyword search.
  5. Header visualization: The tool provides a visual representation of the email headers, making it easier to understand the structure and content of the message.

Some common use cases for a mail header analyzer include:

  1. Email forensics: Analyzing email headers can help investigators track the origin and path of an email, identify potential spam or phishing attacks, and reconstruct the email's transmission history.
  2. Email authentication: Verifying the authenticity of email headers can help ensure that emails are legitimate and not spoofed or tampered with.
  3. Email tracking: Analyzing email headers can help track the delivery and receipt of emails, including whether they were opened, clicked, or bounced.
  4. Email security: Analyzing email headers can help identify potential security threats, such as malware or phishing attacks, and block malicious emails from reaching users' inboxes.

Some popular mail header analyzers include:

  1. Mail Header Analyzer (MHA): A free online tool that analyzes email headers and provides detailed information about the sender, recipient, and transmission history.
  2. Email Header Analyzer (EHA): A commercial tool that provides advanced email header analysis and reporting capabilities.
  3. Header Analyzer: A free online tool that analyzes email headers and provides information about the sender, recipient, date, and time of sending.
  4. Email Inspector: A commercial tool that provides advanced email analysis and reporting capabilities, including email header analysis.

When choosing a mail header analyzer, consider the following factors:

  1. Accuracy: Look for a tool that accurately parses and analyzes email headers.
  2. Ease of use: Choose a tool with a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to analyze email headers.
  3. Features: Consider the features you need, such as header filtering, visualization, and reporting capabilities.
  4. Cost: Determine whether you need a free or commercial tool, depending on your budget and requirements.