Summary
Talos Intelligence monitors global email volume trends through a comprehensive approach utilizing Senderbase, a network of sensors, spam traps, honeypots, and various data aggregation and correlation techniques. Senderbase uses signals like DNS queries and CISCO router monitoring. Sensors track traffic patterns and gather data. Spam traps and honeypots capture unsolicited emails. Data is also aggregated from DNSBLs and Cisco devices. They analyze sender reputation data (IP, domain, authentication) to differentiate legitimate senders from spammers, correlate data from multiple sources to identify patterns, and leverage threat intelligence feeds. The Talos Reputation Center integrates these data points for insights. It is important to note that while comprehensive, the data might not be entirely accurate and should be considered a trend indicator.
Key findings
- Senderbase Core: Senderbase utilizes diverse signals, including DNS queries and Cisco infrastructure data.
- Network of Sensors: A vast sensor network monitors traffic patterns and collects email data.
- Spam Traps/Honeypots: Spam traps and honeypots are deployed to capture unsolicited emails and understand spam tactics.
- Data Aggregation: Data is aggregated from DNSBLs, Cisco devices, and other sources.
- Reputation Analysis: Sender reputation analysis identifies legitimate senders based on IP, domain, and authentication.
- Threat Feeds: Talos leverages threat intelligence feeds to monitor trends and detect malicious campaigns.
- Talos Reputation Center: This center is a central point for insights, leveraging data from the above sources.
Key considerations
- Accuracy: Data might not be 100% accurate; use as a trend indicator.
- Data Diversity: The system relies on a variety of data sources, enhancing its comprehensive nature.
- Proactive Defense: The employment of spam traps indicates a proactive approach to detecting threats.
What email marketers say
7 marketer opinions
Talos Intelligence monitors global email volume trends by utilizing a multi-faceted approach. This includes a vast network of sensors and monitors across the internet, analyzing IP reputation through these networks, aggregating data from DNS Blacklists and internal monitoring systems, and correlating data from various sources to identify trends. They also employ spam traps and honeypots to capture unsolicited emails, and leverage threat intelligence feeds from internal and external sources to understand malicious campaigns. The Talos Reputation Center is key to collecting telemetry and providing insights into email volume, IP reputation and identifying threats.
Key opinions
- Vast Network: Talos uses a large network of sensors and monitors to collect email data.
- IP Reputation: Talos monitors IP reputation to determine changes in email sending patterns.
- Data Aggregation: Talos aggregates data from DNSBLs and internal systems.
- Correlation: Talos correlates data from multiple sources to identify patterns.
- Spam Traps: Talos uses spam traps and honeypots to capture unsolicited emails.
- Threat Feeds: Talos leverages threat intelligence feeds to monitor trends and identify malicious campaigns.
- Reputation Center: Talos Reputation Center provides insights on trends and threats.
Key considerations
- Accuracy: The data may not be 100% accurate and should be used as a trend indicator.
- Multiple Factors: Talos analyzes various factors, including IP and domain reputation, and email authentication records.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Deliverability Forum shares that Talos monitors IP reputation through its extensive network and provides an overview of email volume trends which helps them determine changes in email sending patterns.
13 Oct 2021 - Email Deliverability Forum
Marketer view
Email marketer from Reddit explains that Talos's global email volume data is based on a large network of sensors and monitors, but it might not be 100% accurate. It is best used as a trend indicator.
23 Jul 2022 - Reddit
What the experts say
4 expert opinions
Talos Intelligence employs a multi-faceted approach to monitoring global email volume trends. They leverage Senderbase, using a variety of signals including DNS query data and CISCO router monitoring. They also utilize a vast network of strategically positioned sensors across the internet to monitor email traffic. Spam traps and honeypots capture unsolicited emails, providing insights into spammer tactics. Finally, Talos analyzes sender reputation data (IP, domain, and authentication records) to distinguish legitimate senders from spammers.
Key opinions
- Senderbase: Talos utilizes Senderbase with diverse signals including DNS queries and CISCO router monitoring.
- Network Sensors: A vast network of sensors monitors email traffic patterns and collects sender/recipient/content data.
- Spam Traps: Spam traps and honeypots capture unsolicited emails and tactics.
- Sender Reputation: Sender reputation analysis identifies legitimate senders and spammers (IP, domain, authentication).
Key considerations
- Data Variety: Talos relies on a diverse range of data sources for comprehensive monitoring.
- Proactive Monitoring: The use of spam traps suggests a proactive approach to threat detection.
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource responds that Talos analyzes sender reputation data to identify legitimate senders and spammers. They monitor factors such as IP address reputation, domain reputation, and email authentication records to assess the trustworthiness of email senders.
5 Nov 2024 - Spam Resource
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource shares that Talos uses spam traps and honeypots to capture unsolicited emails and track email volume trends. These traps are designed to attract spam and provide insights into the tactics used by spammers.
16 Sep 2024 - Spam Resource
What the documentation says
5 technical articles
Cisco Talos monitors global email volume trends through a comprehensive approach leveraging the SenderBase Reputation System, a global network of sensors, email traffic monitoring, web crawling, network telemetry from Cisco devices, spam traps, honeypots, user feedback, and data from Cisco Email Security Appliance (ESA) deployments. This data is used to provide real-time threat detection and monitoring of email volume trends, contributing to a broad understanding of email sending IP addresses and domains, email traffic, and threat landscapes.
Key findings
- SenderBase System: The SenderBase Reputation System gathers data from various sources for a comprehensive view.
- Network Telemetry: Cisco devices provide network telemetry data to monitor email traffic.
- Spam Traps & Honeypots: Honeypots and spam traps capture spam and malicious emails.
- ESA Data: Data from ESA deployments contributes to understanding email volume trends and threats.
- AMP Integration: AMP for Email integrates with Talos for real-time threat detection.
Key considerations
- Comprehensive Data: A wide array of data sources enables a more holistic view of email traffic.
- Cisco Ecosystem: Much of the data is sourced from within the Cisco ecosystem, potentially creating bias.
Technical article
Documentation from Cisco explains that the Cisco Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) for Email integrates with Talos to provide real-time threat detection and monitoring of email volume trends.
9 Feb 2022 - Cisco
Technical article
Documentation from Cisco Talos responds that they use a combination of network telemetry from Cisco devices, spam traps, and user feedback to monitor email traffic and identify trends in email volume.
22 May 2024 - Cisco Talos
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