what is DKIM and DMARC?
DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) and DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) are two email authentication mechanisms used to enhance the security of email communication and reduce email spoofing and phishing attacks. They work together to verify the authenticity of email messages.
- DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail):
- DKIM is an email authentication method that allows the sender of an email to digitally sign the message using a private key. This digital signature is added to the email’s header.
- The recipient’s email server can then use a public key published in the sender’s DNS (Domain Name System) records to verify the signature’s authenticity.
- If the signature is valid, it indicates that the email has not been tampered with during transit and that it was indeed sent by the claimed sender’s domain.
- DKIM helps prevent email spoofing, phishing, and tampering with email content.
- DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance):
- DMARC is an email authentication and reporting protocol that builds on DKIM and SPF (Sender Policy Framework) to provide a comprehensive solution for email authentication.
- It allows domain owners to specify policies for handling email messages that fail authentication checks, such as DKIM and SPF failures.
- DMARC policies can instruct receiving email servers to either deliver the email, quarantine it, or reject it based on the specified rules.
- DMARC also includes a reporting mechanism that allows domain owners to receive feedback reports on email authentication failures, helping them identify potential abuse and unauthorized use of their domain.
- DMARC helps domain owners protect their brand reputation and reduce the likelihood of their domain being used for malicious purposes.
In summary, DKIM is a method for digitally signing email messages to verify their authenticity, while DMARC is a protocol that allows domain owners to set policies for handling email authentication failures and receive feedback on such failures. Together, these technologies help improve email security and reduce the risk of email-based fraud and phishing attacks.
