DMARC

Definition

DMARC, which stands for Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance, is an email-validation system that helps protect email domains from being used for email spoofing, phishing scams, and other cybercrimes. It uses two other technologies: Sender Policy Framework (SPF) and DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM) to validate that the email was actually sent from the domain it appears to be sent from and that it hasn’t been modified during transmission.

Usage and Context

DMARC is used by domain owners to prevent unauthorized use of their domain in email communication. When an email is received, the receiving server checks if the domain has a DMARC record. If it does, the server performs DMARC evaluation to see if the email passes SPF and DKIM checks. If the email passes, it's delivered normally. If it fails, the email is handled according to the domain owner's DMARC policy, which could be to quarantine or reject the email.

FAQ

What is the purpose of DMARC?

DMARC's primary purpose is to prevent unauthorized persons from using a domain to send email, especially spam and phishing emails. It provides a way for email receivers to check that incoming mail from a domain is authorized by that domain's administrators.

How does DMARC work?

DMARC works by adding a DMARC policy to your domain's DNS records. This policy instructs email servers on how to handle emails that fail DMARC checks.

Related Software

Several software solutions help implement and manage DMARC. These include DMARC Analyzer, OnDMARC, dmarcian, and EasyDMARC.

Benefits

Implementing DMARC has several benefits. It helps protect your domain against misuse, improves email deliverability, and provides insight into your email channel.

Conclusion

In summary, DMARC is an important tool in the fight against email spoofing and phishing. By implementing DMARC, domain owners can protect their reputation, improve email deliverability, and gain better insight into their email channel.