DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) is an essential tool for protecting email accounts from malicious actors. It helps to ensure that emails sent from a domain are authentic and secure by verifying the sender’s address and providing detailed reporting on email delivery issues. Setting up a DMARC record can provide increased security against phishing attacks, spam, improved visibility into email delivery issues, and more. In this article we will discuss what DMARC is, why it's important to set one up and how to do it properly in order to maximize protection of your online accounts.
What is DMARC?
DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) is a security protocol that helps protect and authenticate email communications. It works by verifying the sender’s address and providing detailed reporting on email delivery issues, allowing users to gain better visibility into their emails. DMARC provides increased protection against phishing attacks, spam, and other malicious actors who would otherwise be able to spoof legitimate domains or send malicious content from seemingly trusted sources.
How does DMARC work exactly?
DMARC works by utilizing two other protocols, Sender Policy Framework (SPF) and DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM). SPF is used to identify and verify the sending servers from which an email was sent, while DKIM verifies the contents of each message. When both these systems are combined with DMARC, it becomes much more difficult for malicious actors to spoof the sending domain and send malicious content.
DMARC requires both SPF and DKIM to be enabled in order for a DMARC record to function properly. With SPF, a domain owner specifies which servers are authorized to send mail from their domain. With DKIM, an encryption key is added to the email header, which is then validated by a third-party server. DMARC then verifies that both SPF and DKIM are present in each message header and compares them with what the domain owner authorized.
If there are any discrepancies or inconsistencies with the headers, it will block the message and alert you of any potential malicious activity. This ensures that only legitimate emails are being sent from the domain and helps protect against phishing attacks.
What does DMARC aligment means?
DMARC domain alignment means ensuring that the email sender's domain matches the one used in the ‘From’ address. This is done to ensure that emails coming from a specific domain are authentic and legitimate. To achieve this, SPF (Sender Policy Framework) records must be set up for each email sending domain, and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) signatures should be enabled for outbound messages. By properly configuring these protocols and regularly monitoring your DMARC record, you can ensure that only emails from authorized sources are being sent and received. The advantages of having a properly configured DMARC record include improved email security and authenticity, better protection against phishing attacks and spam, increased visibility into email delivery issues and more. With the right configuration and regular monitoring, DMARC can help keep your emails secure and ensure they are delivered safely.
Can I use DMARC without DKIM?
Technically, yes – but it's not recommended as it significantly reduces the level of protection DMARC provides. Without DKIM, malicious actors can send messages that appear to come from your domain, but the contents of the message would remain unverified. Without DKIM enabled, DMARC is unable to confirm that the email was actually sent from an authorized sender and could potentially allow malicious content through. It is therefore important to have both SPF and DKIM enabled in order for DMARC to function properly.
How can I set up my DMARC Record with Mailpro?
First, you need to log int your Mailpro account and then go to the webmaster´s zone.
Click on Set DMARC and Fill in the required DMARC Settings such as Domain Policy Type: This is the policy that defines how you would like the ISPs to handle messages that failed SPF and DKIM. If you are unsure if your domain is authenticating all emails choose 'None'. You will still receive reports.
Then click on generate DMARC record
Then add this record to your DNS.
Remember, you should only be able to add this information if your are the owner of the domain, it’s not possible to configure the DMARC for public mailing systems (gmail.com, outlook.com, yahoo.com etc…)
Advantages of Having a DMARC
Advantages of having a DMARC record include improved email security and authenticity, better protection against phishing attacks and spam, increased visibility into email delivery issues, and more. With DMARC, domain owners are able to verify the sending server of each email and validate the contents of the message before allowing it to be delivered . This helps to protect against malicious actors who would otherwise be able to send malicious content from seemingly trusted sources. Additionally, DMARC provides detailed reports on email delivery issues which can be used to help identify and resolve any potential problems.
Tips for ensuring your DMARC record is properly configured:
- Make sure both SPF & DKIM are enabled & configured correctly.
- Regularly review and update your DMARC record.
- Monitor your delivery reports for any issues or changes that may need to be addressed.
- Ensure that all subdomains are included in your DMARC policy.
- Use a DMARC Analyzer tool to validate your DMARC record and ensure it is set up correctly
- Monitor your emails for any suspicious activity or phishing attempts.
- Be aware of any changes to the SPF & DKIM configuration as this can affect the effectiveness of your DMARC record.
- Consider enabling “p=reject ” in order to block messages that fail authentication.
How does a DMARC record look like?
The basic structure of a DMARC record looks like this: "v=DMARC1; p=reject; rua=mailto:[email protected]; ruf=mailto:[email protected]". It contains several tags such as "p", which defines what action should be taken when an email fails authentication, and “rua” & “ruf” which specify where aggregate reports should be sent for review. By properly configuring these tags according to your specific needs, you can create a secure environment for sending emails from your domain while also providing valuable insights into any potential delivery issues or threats. With the right configuration and regular monitoring, DMARC can help keep your emails secure and ensure they are delivered safely.
By properly configuring your DMARC record and regularly monitoring it, you can ensure that only emails from authorized senders are being sent and received, providing an extra layer of security for your domain. This helps protect against malicious actors who would otherwise be able to spoof the identity of a trusted domain, potentially leading to phishing attacks and other security issues. Additionally, DMARC provides increased visibility into email delivery issues which can be used to identify and resolve any potential problems quickly and effectively. With the right configuration and regular monitoring, DMARC can help keep your emails secure and ensure they are delivered safely.
