In an email header, which field is typically used to trace the path a message has traversed across multiple mail servers?

In an email header, which field is typically used to trace the path a message has traversed across multiple mail servers?

• A. From
• B. Date
• C. Received
• D. Subject

Answer: (C)

Tracing how an email moved across servers is done with the Received headers. Each mail server that handles the message appends a Received line to the header, recording the server that processed it, the originating IP, and a timestamp for that hop. Because these entries are added as the message travels, you can reconstruct the path by following the chain from bottom (the first hop) to top (the last hop). The other fields serve different purposes: From shows who sent the message, Date when it was accepted by the sending server, and Subject the topic of the email. Keep in mind that headers can sometimes be spoofed, so use multiple indicators if you need strong provenance.

Tracing how an email moved across servers is done with the Received headers. Each mail server that handles the message appends a Received line to the header, recording the server that processed it, the originating IP, and a timestamp for that hop. Because these entries are added as the message travels, you can reconstruct the path by following the chain from bottom (the first hop) to top (the last hop). The other fields serve different purposes: From shows who sent the message, Date when it was accepted by the sending server, and Subject the topic of the email. Keep in mind that headers can sometimes be spoofed, so use multiple indicators if you need strong provenance.