Email is an important communication tool for businesses of all sizes. However, email can also be a vehicle for spam and fraud.
In order to combat these issues, email service providers (ESPs) use a variety of authentication methods. It is said that over 3 billion phishing emails are sent out daily to steal people's information. This is a big problem, easily resolved.
In this blog post, we will discuss the three most common authentication methods: DMARC, SPF, and DKIM. We will also show you how to set up DMARC, SPF, and DKIM for your business.
Keep reading to discover more about the value of email authentication for the security of your private communications.
Email Authentication: The Basics
Email authentication is the process of verifying that an email message is from the sender it claims to be from. This is done by verifying the sender’s identity and ensuring that the email message has no tampering.
Moreover, email authentication can help businesses combat spam and phishing emails.
These types of email messages often impersonate a legitimate sender in order to trick the recipient into clicking on a malicious link or providing personal information.
There are three main types of email authentication: DMARC, SPF, and DKIM. Let’s take a closer look at each one.
DMARC - Message Authentication
DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) is an email authentication standard developed by AOL, Google, Microsoft, and Yahoo! in 2015.
DMARC has been designed to combat spam and phishing emails by verifying the sender’s identity and ensuring that the email message has no tampering.
To set up DMARC for your business, you will need to create a DMARC record in your DNS (Domain Name System). This DMARC record will specify what action should be taken if an email fails authentication. The three options are:
- Quarantine: Email sends to spam folder
- Reject: Email rejects and does not deliver
- None: No action occurs
That's the gist of it at the least. Let's take a look at SPF.
SPF - Sender Policy
SPF (Sender Policy Framework) is an email authentication standard developed in 2003.
SPF allows businesses to specify which IP addresses are authorized to send emails on their behalf. This helps to combat spoofing, which is when a malicious sender uses the domain of a legitimate sender to send spam or phishing emails.
To set up SPF for your business, you will need to create an SPF record in your DNS. This SPF record will specify the IP addresses that are authorized to send emails on your behalf.
Moreover, you will need to update your SPF record whenever you change your email service provider or add a new IP address. This is critical to the safety of your email communication.
DKIM - DomainKeys
DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) is an email authentication standard developed in 2007. DKIM uses digital signatures to verify the sender’s identity and ensure that the email message has no tampering.
To set up DKIM for your business, you will need to generate a public/private key pair and add a DKIM record to your DNS. This DKIM record will specify the domain name, selector, and public key that are associated with your private key.
Furthermore, you will need to add a DKIM signature to your email messages. This signature will be used to verify the sender’s identity and ensure that the email message has no tampering.
How DMARC and SPF Work Together
DMARC and SPF design to work together to provide the best possible email authentication. When an email sends, the receiving server will check the DMARC record of the sender’s domain.
If DMARC configures properly, the receiving server will then check the SPF record of the sender’s domain. If both DMARC and SPF pass, the email will deliver to the recipient.
Furthermore, DMARC and SPF can be used to combat spoofing. If DMARC and SPF are both configured properly, it will be very difficult for a malicious sender to spoof the domain of a legitimate sender.
How DKIM Works With DMARC and SPF
DKIM has been designed to work with DMARC and SPF to provide the best possible email authentication.
When an email sends, the receiving server will check the DKIM signature of the email. If DKIM configures properly, the receiving server will then check the DMARC record of the sender’s domain.
If DMARC configures properly, the receiving server will then check the SPF record of the sender’s domain. If all three authentication methods pass, the email will deliver to the recipient.
This is how DKIM, DMARC, and SPF work together to provide the best possible email authentication.
Why Is Email Authentication So Important?
Email authentication is important because it helps to combat spam and phishing emails.
By verifying the sender’s identity and ensuring that the email message has no tampering, businesses can protect themselves from these types of malicious emails.
In fact, it is email authentication that can prevent the majority of phishing and other means of malevolent action. Your private communication deserves the protection that is expected from service providers.
Email Security Done Right
Email authentication is a critical part of protecting your business from spam and phishing emails.
DMARC, SPF, and DKIM are three important email authentication standards that you should be familiar with. If you want to learn more about business planning, SEO & email security, we recommend getting in touch with us.
