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Email Security Management · Attachment and link security

Email attachment and link security and CAN-SPAM compliance in the United States

Short answer

CAN-SPAM requires accurate headers, a physical address, and honoring opt-outs within 10 business days. Email attachment and link security supports compliance by making sender identity verifiable and recipient choices enforceable.

What CAN-SPAM requires#

CAN-SPAM requires accurate headers, a physical address, and honoring opt-outs within 10 business days.

Attachment and link security covers scanning files and URLs in inbound mail (sandboxing, detonation, URL rewriting and time-of-click checks) and safe handling policies for outbound content.

Why it matters#

Malicious attachments and links remain the main payload delivery method for ransomware and credential theft.

Regulators and recipients need to identify who sent a message and trust that opt-out mechanisms work. Email attachment and link security contributes by malicious attachments and links remain the main payload delivery method for ransomware and credential theft.

Implementation steps#

  1. Block executable and macro-enabled attachment types at the gateway.
  2. Enable URL rewriting with time-of-click reputation checks.
  3. Sandbox unknown attachments before delivery.
  4. For outbound, prefer links to authenticated portals over attachments for sensitive files.

Frequently asked questions#

Are PDF attachments safe?

Mostly, but PDFs can carry scripts and phishing links. Sandboxing and link rewriting still apply.

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