What is DKIM and How Does it Protect You?

Understanding DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)

DomainKeys Identified Mail, commonly known as DKIM, is an important security tool used to verify the authenticity of emails. DKIM works by attaching a digital signature to each email you send from your domain. This signature can be verified by the recipient’s email server to confirm that the email is genuinely from you and hasn't been altered during transit. Essentially, DKIM adds an extra layer of trust to email communications, helping to reduce the chances of fraud and phishing attacks.

How DKIM Works

When DKIM is properly set up on your domain:

  1. A Signature is Added: DKIM uses a unique digital signature tied to your domain that is automatically added to each outgoing email. This signature is based on a pair of cryptographic keys: one private key stored securely on your server and one public key published in your domain’s DNS records.
  2. Verification by Recipient: When an email is received, the recipient’s server uses the public key to verify the DKIM signature. If the email has not been modified since it was sent, the verification passes, indicating that the email is authentic.
  3. Trust is Established: DKIM verification tells the recipient’s server that the email genuinely came from your domain, building trust and ensuring the message is legitimate.

Benefits of Using DKIM

  1. Prevents Email Tampering: By verifying the signature, DKIM helps prevent attackers from modifying an email in transit. If any changes are made, the email will fail DKIM verification, alerting the recipient to potential fraud.

  2. Protects Your Brand’s Reputation: Fake emails can damage trust in your brand. With DKIM, your clients and recipients are assured that emails from your domain are authentic and can be trusted.

  3. Reduces Phishing and Spam: When email servers see a verified DKIM signature, they're more likely to classify your email as legitimate and less likely to mark it as spam. This helps prevent fake emails that appear to come from your domain from reaching inboxes.

  4. Enhances DMARC Policies: DKIM also complements DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) by adding an additional layer of verification. Combined, DKIM and DMARC help prevent unauthorized users from sending emails on your behalf.

Setting Up DKIM

Setting up DKIM typically involves:

  1. Generating DKIM Keys: Use an email service provider or your server’s settings to generate a DKIM public/private key pair.
  2. Publishing the DKIM Record in DNS: Add the public key as a TXT record in your domain’s DNS settings. This public key is what other email servers use to verify your email’s signature.
  3. Configuring Your Email Server: Ensure your email server is set up to sign outgoing messages with your private key.

Once DKIM is enabled, your emails will be signed automatically, helping to protect your brand, reputation, and clients from malicious actors.

DKIM in Practice

If you receive an email with a [DKIM?] or similar tag, it may indicate that the email sender has not configured DKIM. In these cases, be cautious with links or attachments, and verify the sender’s authenticity, especially if the email seems unusual or unexpected.

Need Help?

If you're unsure about setting up DKIM or have any questions, please reach out to our support team for assistance. We’re here to help you make your email communications as secure and trusted as possible.