One embodiment provides a method for authenticating an electronic communication. The method includes parsing a header of the electronic communication to identify actual domain name data included in the header at a server receiving the electronic communication from a communication client; parsing the header to obtain purported sender data included in the header of the electronic communication; comparing the actual domain name data and purported sender data; and generating in response to the comparison an authenticity indicator, to provide a recipient of the electronic communication with an indication of the likelihood that the electronic communication was sent from a purported sender of the electronic communication.