In this article, we will break down the basics of DMARC and guide you on configuring it to enhance the security of your emails.
What is DMARC?
DMARC, short for Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance, is an email authentication protocol that helps organizations protect their email domains from unauthorized use, commonly known as email spoofing.
DMARC builds on two existing authentication mechanisms SPF and DKIM, and introduces a policy framework that instructs email receivers on handling emails that fail authentication.
How to configure DMARC?
1. Assess your current email infrastructure
Before configuring DMARC, it is crucial to understand your existing email setup. Identify all the legitimate sources sending emails on behalf of your domain and ensure they are authenticated using SPF and DKIM.
2. Set up a mailbox for reports
Create a dedicated space to receive DMARC reports. This could be a group email address or a specific mailbox where DMARC reports will be sent. This step ensures you have a centralized place to monitor and analyze the reports.
3. Publish a DMARC Record in DNS
To implement DMARC, you need to publish a DMARC record in your domain's DNS.
Below, you will find examples illustrating both a basic version and a more complex one:
Basic version
|
Name |
Type | Value |
| _dmarc.example.com | TXT | "v=DMARC1;p=none;” |
Complex version
|
Name |
Type | Value |
| _dmarc.example.com | TXT | "v=DMARC1;p=quarantine;pct=10;rua=mailto:dmarcreports@example.com" |
Where:
v: indicates the DMARC version.
p: sets the DMARC policy. None accepts email normally, despite the misalignment. Quarantine marks the message as spam and sends it to the recipient's spam folder. Reject sends a bounce message to the sending server – rejects the message.
pct: specifies the proportion of messages to which the DMARC policy should be applied. (optional)
rua: specifies the email address to receive aggregate reports. (optional)
For additional information on setting up DMARC for your domain, refer to the Overview section on the DMARC website.
4. Keep an eye on DMARC Reports
DMARC generates reports that provide valuable insights into the authentication status of your emails. Regularly review these reports in your dedicated mailbox to identify any anomalies, unauthorized sources, or potential issues with authentication.
Now you know how to enchase the security of your emails. 🚀
Thank you for reading!