DMARC, or Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance, is a security protocol that helps protect email recipients from receiving spam, phishing, and other fraudulent messages. It does this by verifying the authenticity of an email's sender and ensuring that it was sent from the domain it claims to be sent from.
How to use DMARC
To use DMARC, a domain owner must first publish a DMARC policy in the domain's DNS records. This policy specifies which mechanisms the domain owner uses to authenticate its emails (e.g., SPF or DKIM) and what actions should be taken if an email fails authentication (e.g., quarantining or rejecting the message).
When an email is sent to a recipient, the recipient's server checks the sender's DMARC policy to determine whether the email is legitimate. If the email passes the DMARC evaluation, it is delivered to the recipient's inbox as usual. If it fails, the email may be rejected or sent to the recipient's spam folder, depending on the actions specified in the sender's DMARC policy.
Using DMARC can help protect email recipients from spam, phishing, and other fraudulent messages and prevent domain spoofing (when a malicious actor impersonates a legitimate domain). It is a valuable tool for individuals and organizations looking to secure email communications and protect against cyber threats.
DMARC Reporting
In addition to providing security benefits, DMARC also includes a reporting feature that allows domain owners to receive reports on how their DMARC policy is being enforced. These reports can help domain owners identify issues with their email authentication setup and make necessary adjustments to improve their email security.
In conclusion
DMARC is a powerful tool that helps protect email recipients and prevent spam, phishing, and other fraudulent messages. By implementing DMARC, domain owners can improve their email security and protect their domains from spoofing.