How to Reduce Email Risk with Proxies

Email plays a vital role in today’s business operations, yet it is far from fully secure. More than 90% of cyberattacks begin with an email, and one wrong click can compromise weeks of work, expose sensitive information, or even drain accounts. Safeguarding your inbox is critical.

Here, we’ll examine these threats, how proxies can bolster your defenses, and how to use them to achieve optimal security.

The Email Threat Landscape

Email is the entry point hackers crave, and once they’re in, chaos can spread fast. Here’s what you need to watch out for:

1. Phishing and Spoofing

Malicious emails disguised as trusted sources are still the most effective trap. One well-crafted impersonation can trick recipients into handing over credentials or clicking harmful links. Lookalike domains and subtle branding differences make detection tricky—even for vigilant users.

2. Spam Campaigns and Botnets

Flooded inboxes aren’t just annoying. Spam often hides malware or phishing links, distributed at scale via botnets—networks of compromised devices. These campaigns are persistent and disruptive, draining productivity while increasing risk.

3. Credential Stuffing and Brute-Force Attacks

Stolen passwords get reused relentlessly. Automated scripts rotate through thousands of IPs, attempting logins across multiple accounts. Weak or repeated passwords are a hacker’s dream.

4. Data Harvesting

Once inside, attackers can extract sensitive information, reset other accounts, or use the compromised mailbox as a springboard for wider attacks.

5. Business Email Compromise (BEC)

BEC attacks impersonate executives or trusted employees to trick companies into sharing confidential information or transferring funds. Losses can be catastrophic.

How Proxies Power Email Security

Proxies act as intermediaries, rerouting traffic and shielding networks. Beyond web scraping or bypassing geo-blocks, they offer tangible security benefits:

1. Hide Real IPs

Proxies mask the true source of your network, keeping attackers from identifying targets. They’re essential for safe deliverability testing and investigating suspicious emails without exposing infrastructure.

2. Filter Suspicious Traffic

Deploying proxies as a checkpoint allows rapid detection of unusual activity. Bulk login attempts, sudden spikes in outbound messages, or atypical access patterns can be blocked before they reach mail servers.

3. Strengthen Anti-Spam and Phishing Systems

Spam filters and phishing detection tools require global data for accuracy. Proxies enable these systems to crawl domains and senders safely, ensuring malicious sources are flagged worldwide.

4. Set Up Safe Testing Environments

Security teams simulate phishing, spam, or brute-force attacks to evaluate defenses. With IP rotation, tests don’t trigger false alarms or compromise networks.

Real-World Scenarios

1. Email Deliverability Testing

Marketing teams can route test emails through residential or ISP proxies to ensure messages land in inboxes, not spam folders.

2. Tracking Phishing Site

Security analysts investigate malicious domains using rotating proxies from multiple locations. Internal systems remain protected while analysts track threats globally.

3. Corporate Email Security

Proxies help filter suspicious logins, detect brute-force attacks, and prevent account takeovers in real time.

4. Regulatory Adherence and Audits

Global organizations can simulate access from different regions, verifying that email systems meet local security and privacy rules.

Guidelines for Using Proxies

• Rotate IPs: Avoid overuse. Rotation simulates real-world traffic and prevents blocks.
• Integrate with Core Protections: Proxies complement spam filters, firewalls, and authentication—they don’t replace them.
• Monitor and Log Activity: Track usage for compliance, accuracy, and anomaly detection.
• Stay Within the Law and Ethics: Use proxies to protect and monitor systems—not to send spam or bypass laws.

Conclusion

Email security is important for protecting your business. Using proxies strategically allows organizations to hide IPs, monitor suspicious activity, and safely test defenses. Combined with strong authentication and spam filters, proxies help turn email from a weak point into a more secure channel. By staying proactive, rotating IPs, and following best practices, you can keep your inbox and your business safe from evolving cyber threats.