Sending Email Headers

In email messages, headers contain the addresses of all the computer systems that have relayed a message in between the sender and you. Each computer that forwards the message along its route adds a line of information to the headers. Usually you do not see the full headers, as they can be fairly long and so are not displayed along with the common "From:", "To:", "Subject:", and "Date:" headers. The information provided in the full headers allows you to determine where a message actually came from, and how it got to your computer. This is sometimes necessary because the address you see on the "From:" line can be spoofed, or faked.

Usually this information is important to determine/block spam/phish emails being seen on the network. You can help by sending this information to itsecurity@listserv.syr.edu. To send as an attached Outlook message, see the instructions below. For instructions on other e-mail applications, see MXToolbox.

Sending Email Headers as an Attached Outlook Message

If you suspect a message to be phishing/spam, please attach it as "Outlook Item" to a mail (as shown in Step 1,2,3 below):

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Need Help? Contact the ITS Help Desk by voice at 315.443.2677, by email at help@syr.edu, or by stopping into 1-227 Center for Science and Technology (hours of operation).