DMARC

As an email marketer, safeguarding your domain's integrity is not just a choice, it's a necessity.

What if there was a superhero of email security? Something to ensure that every message is authentic and trustworthy. 

Enter DMARC. 

Read on as we discuss the world of DMARC — what it is, why it’s important, and how you can be sure you’re sending trustworthy messages to your audience.

What is DMARC

DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) is an email authentication protocol that helps email senders protect their domain from unauthorized use.

This unauthorized use is more commonly referred to as spoofing or phishing. 

What is a DMARC Record?

A DMARC record is a TXT record added to your DNS records for your sending domain. This TXT record will help receiving email servers decide what to do should your message fail authentication with SPF or DKIM.

How Does DMARC Work?

DMARC builds on two existing email authentication methods, SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail). 

It adds an important layer of security by specifying how email receivers should handle emails that fail SPF or DKIM tests. This helps in preventing phishing emails and email scams.

To implement DMARC, you should first have SPF and DKIM in place.

DMARC policies offer three primary options for handling emails that fail authentication checks — “none”, “quarantine”, and “reject”. 

The “none” option is typically used for monitoring, allowing emails to be delivered normally while gathering data on DMARC failures. 

The “quarantine” option moves failed emails to a spam or junk folder, providing a middle ground for handling suspicious emails. 

The “reject” policy is the most strict, instructing receiving email servers to outright reject emails that fail DMARC checks. 

These options give domain owners flexibility in managing their email security and can be adjusted based on their security needs and observations from DMARC reports.

It’s typically recommended to start with a less restrictive policy, like “none”, so that you have the opportunity to monitor the impact before moving to the more restrictive settings.

Why is DMARC Important?

DMARC is important for several reasons. Let’s take a look at some of the most important: 

• Email Spoofing Prevention: DMARC helps in preventing email spoofing, where attackers send emails from a forged address appearing to be from a legitimate domain.

• Enhanced Email Security: DMARC enhances overall email security by ensuring that emails are authenticated through SPF and DKIM standards.

• Improved Deliverability: Emails that pass DMARC authentication are more likely to be delivered successfully, enhancing the reliability of email communications.

• Domain Reputation Protection: DMARC helps in protecting the reputation of a domain by preventing its misuse in phishing and spamming activities.

• Reporting and Visibility: DMARC offers domain owners insights into email sources and patterns, allowing them to identify and address security issues effectively.

Outside of these, Google’s new bulk sender guidelines now require the use of DMARC. That’s a pretty big reason in itself. 

DMARC Record Check

A DMARC record checker is a tool that can be used to confirm whether or not your DMARC records have been properly set up. 

Loops offers a free DMARC verification tool. 

Key takeaways

DMARC builds on two existing email authentication methods, SPF and DKIM. 

DMARC is an email authentication protocol that helps email senders protect their domain from spoofing or phishing. 

DMARC policies offer three primary options for handling emails that fail authentication checks — “none”, “quarantine”, and “reject”. 

A DMARC record is a TXT record added to your DNS records for your sending domain.