Here’s the upshot: DMARC monitoring is a must!
DMARC, which stands for Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance, is a vital email authentication system. It designed to protect email domains from unauthorized use, a common issue known as email spoofing.
And that’s not my definition, that comes from DMARC’s official website.
DMARC is Your “D-Fence”
The primary aim of DMARC is to confirm that legitimate emails are properly authenticated against established SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) standards, ensuring that any fraudulent activities appearing to come from your domain are blocked effectively.
Growing up, I was an avid sports fan. I particularly enjoyed the sight of fans screaming “Defense!” when their team was in the defensive zone—though it did little to help the New York Knicks against the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls. Shifting back to email, in simple terms, DMARC serves as the “Defense” for your emails!
The Evolution of This and DMARC Monitoring
DMARC was first published in 2012. A group of organizations, including PayPal, Google, Microsoft, and Yahoo, among others, developed it. The primary goal was to introduce a way to better secure email by standardizing how email receivers perform email authentication. This standard aimed to reduce the impact of fraudulent emails and improve the reliability and security of email communication.
Most importantly, creators designed it to fulfill the need for more robust email security.
Before its introduction, SPF and DKIM served as key technologies for authenticating email messages. SPF allows email senders to specify which IP addresses can send mail on behalf of a domain. Meanwhile, DKIM adds a digital signature to emails, helping to verify that a message was not altered in transit.
Technology Without Verification
However, these technologies did not include a way to report on how to handle emails that fail these checks. In addition, they did not offer a way for senders to receive feedback on the emails sent on their domain’s behalf.
The introduction of DMARC changed this. By integrating a reporting function, DMARC allows domain owners to receive feedback from email receivers. This is crucial for maintaining secure email channels and improving email deliverability.
How DMARC Works
Implementing DMARC involves several key steps and components.
- Email Sent
When a domain sends an email, it must adhere to the domain’s SPF and DKIM settings. - SPF/DKIM Check
The recipient’s email server first checks the email against the domain’s SPF and DKIM records. - DMARC Verification
The server then verifies the email against the DMARC policy defined in the DNS. If the email fails the SPF and DKIM checks, the DMARC policy dictates whether to reject, quarantine, or pass the email. - Reporting
The sender receives a report on the result of the DMARC check, regardless of the action taken. By doing so, it is allowing them to see whether their emails are passing the necessary security checks.
Implementing DMARC is Easier than You Think
As fractional CMO, I use the following steps to assist my clients and set up DMARC.
First, domain owners must add a TXT record to their DNS settings that outlines their DMARC policy. This policy can specify one of three actions for handling emails that fail DMARC verification:
- None: The email is monitored but not blocked, allowing it to be delivered even if it fails DMARC checks.
- Quarantine: Emails failing the checks are moved to the Spam or Junk folder.
- Reject: Emails that fail verification are completely blocked and not delivered.
For example, if using Cloudflare to manage DNS settings, adding DMARC records can be straightforward. Its user-friendly UX guides users through the setup with a simple interface.
And in ActiveCampaign, for example, they offer many tools to ensure your emails are landing in the inbox. And they also offer a service called DMARC Digests, which is an email authentication and monitoring service that does all the heavy lifting for you. So check out their DMARC verification tool and stay ahead of the email marketing curve.
The Importance of DMARC Monitoring
Major email providers like Google and Yahoo have made it clear that DMARC is no longer optional.
Read that line again!
It’s mandatory and they require DMARC policies to combat the rise in email fraud and spam. Furthermore, this not only protects individual users but also enhances the integrity of the entire email ecosystem. Here’s why DMARC is crucial:
- Protects Domain Reputation
DMARC helps safeguard your brand by preventing outsiders from sending emails that appear to come from your domain. - Improves Email Deliverability
DMARC enhances overall deliverability and reduces the chance of your emails being marked as spam by authenticating your emails. - Gives Insights into Email Sources
It allows domain owners to see where their emails are coming from, helping them to identify unauthorized use of their email domains.
Final Thoughts on Securing Your Email with DMARC
DMARC is an indispensable tool for any organization or individual utilizing email communication. It not only secures your email traffic from potential spoofing and phishing attacks but also improves the reliability of your email delivery, ensuring your communications reach their intended recipients.
Utilizing features like ActiveCampaign’s DMARC Digests and DKIM, SPF, DMARC DNS Verification Tool can make monitoring and managing DMARC policies much simpler, offering a user-friendly way to enhance email security and maintain high deliverability.
As email threats continue to evolve, setting up DMARC remains a critical step in safeguarding your email interactions against emerging threats and maintaining the trust of your customers and partners.
Finally, if you’re not sure you have DMARC monitoring in place, sign up for an email marketing audit, where we can review everything from A-Z, DMARC included!
