As more and more businesses shift their communication channels towards digital platforms, email remains a key mode of communication in the professional world. However, email has also become a favorite tool for cybercriminals who use it to spread malware, phishing scams, and other fraudulent activities. As a result, there is an urgent need to authenticate emails and prevent unauthorized access.
This is where DKIM, SPF, and DMARC come into play. These three email authentication methods work together to protect your brand from email fraud and phishing attacks, and ensure that your emails are delivered to the intended recipients.
DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) is an email authentication method that adds a digital signature to your email messages. The signature helps to verify that the message comes from an authorized sender and has not been tampered with in transit. SPF (Sender Policy Framework) is another email authentication method that allows email recipients to check if an email message originates from an authorized source.
It helps to prevent email spoofing by verifying that the IP address used to send the message is allowed to send emails for the domain in question. DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) is a protocol that builds upon SPF and DKIM and adds an extra layer of security by allowing domain owners to specify how their email should be handled if it fails authentication checks.
To get these authentication methods done, you need to create DNS records in your domain’s DNS server. DKIM and SPF records are relatively easy to set up, while DMARC takes more time and requires more technical expertise. It is also important to note that implementing DMARC can cause email delivery issues initially, but it’s a worthwhile investment in the long run.
According to a report by Valimail, only 26.3% of global organizations have implemented DMARC, and less than half of those organizations have set the policy to “p=reject,” which instructs email receivers to reject unauthorized messages. This means that there is still a significant number of businesses that are vulnerable to email fraud and phishing attacks.
There are several tools and websites available that can help with email authentication:
MX Toolbox
This website provides a comprehensive suite of tools that can help you check the status of your SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records. In addition to checking the status, this site also offers detailed information on how to set up these records correctly. Whether you are new to email authentication or have experience with it, this website is a useful resource for ensuring that your emails are properly authenticated and delivered successfully.
DMARC Analyzer
With this tool, you can keep a close eye on the DMARC status of your email domain and obtain detailed reports on your email authentication performance. The service is designed to provide comprehensive DMARC reporting and monitoring, making it easy for you to detect any issues and take corrective measures. You will be able to enhance your email security by ensuring that your emails are properly authenticated and delivered to the intended recipients.
Google Postmaster Tools
Gmail users can now easily monitor their email domain’s health using a dedicated tool. This tool offers vital insights into the email delivery status, spam rate, and authentication status of your domain.
Additionally, it provides guidance on how to improve your email authentication and delivery performance, allowing you to maintain excellent communication with your target audience and avoid any issues that may arise from poor email health.
Dmarcian
This is a DMARC reporting and management tool that helps organizations to monitor and improve their email authentication performance. It provides detailed reports on DMARC compliance and allows you to track the delivery of your emails. It also offers guidance on how to set up and configure DMARC correctly.
For emerging companies, it is crucial to prioritize email authentication to protect their brand reputation and customer data. Setting up DKIM and SPF records is a good first step, but it is essential to invest the time and resources required to implement DMARC as well. Companies should also regularly monitor their email authentication reports and update their policies as needed.
This will help to ensure that your emails are delivered to your intended recipients, and your brand is protected from email fraud and phishing attacks.
