DMARC Check Simplified:
Protect Your Domain From Fraud And Spoofing

Email is still one of the most popular means of communication globally, but it's also a prime target for cybercriminals. Threats such as phishing and spoofing can damage your brand's image, confuse your customers, and lead to substantial financial repercussions. Thankfully, DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) serves as an effective solution to protect your domain. Click here for further details.

What is DMARC and Why Does It Matter?

DMARC is an email authentication framework aimed at helping domain owners protect their domain names from being exploited. Essentially, it verifies that emails that seem to come from your domain are genuinely sent by you.

This framework works in conjunction with two additional protocols: SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail). Collectively, these protocols ensure that emails are dispatched by authorized senders and that their content remains intact throughout the sending process.

The Importance of DMARC for Your Domain

Configuring DMARC:

• Protects your brand from phishing and spoofing attacks.


• Improves email deliverability by building credibility with email service providers.


• Provides visibility into the organizations that send emails on your behalf.

When configured correctly, DMARC guides receiving servers on how to manage emails that fail SPF or DKIM verification—options include permitting, isolating, or rejecting the email. This greatly reduces the chances of fraudulent emails reaching inboxes linked to your identity.

How a DMARC Check Works

A DMARC check is the process that email servers use to determine whether a received email adheres to the authentication standards established by the domain's owner.

Step-by-Step: What Happens During a DMARC Check?

• Email Alert: A message has been sent to a recipient, allegedly coming from your domain.


• SPF Check: The server evaluates if the email was dispatched from an IP address listed in your domain's SPF record.


• DKIM Check: The server verifies the DKIM signature to ensure the email's content is intact and matches your domain.


• DMARC Evaluation: If the email meets either the SPF or DKIM requirements (or both) and complies with the domain’s policy, it passes the DMARC evaluation.


• Action Taken: Based on your DMARC policy (none, quarantine, or reject), the server decides how to manage the email.

What Do the DMARC Policies Mean?

None: Monitor the incoming email traffic while keeping email delivery intact. This is especially useful during the initial setup process.

• Quarantine: Redirect suspicious emails to the spam or junk folder.


• Reject: Fully prevent the email from being delivered. This choice is best suited for established systems with reliable SPF/DKIM settings.

Setting Up and Monitoring Your DMARC Record

To set up DMARC, it's necessary to include a DMARC record in your domain's DNS settings. A typical DMARC record might look like this:

v=DMARC1; p=reject; rua=mailto:dmarc-reports@yourdomain.com

Tips for a Successful Setup

• Start with a policy of "none": Adopt this strategy to manage your email traffic while adjusting your SPF and DKIM configurations.


• Make use of aggregate reports: These reports reveal the organizations that are sending emails on your behalf, including their success and failure metrics.


• Gradually adopt stricter policies: Move from a "none" policy to a quarantine phase, and eventually to a rejection policy as you gain confidence in your setup.

There are many online tools available for checking DMARC records, which can help you ensure compliance and identify any configuration errors. These tools provide report summaries and alert you to any suspicious activity.

DMARC Check: A Key Step Toward Email Security

The landscape of email threats is constantly evolving, as are the strategies to counteract them. One of the most effective ways to protect your domain from deception, fraud, and damage to your reputation is by implementing a DMARC check. Whether you oversee a business, a nonprofit organization, or a personal domain, adopting DMARC is an affordable yet impactful step toward bolstering your cybersecurity.

Start by evaluating your current email authentication setup to ensure that SPF and DKIM are properly configured, and then proceed to establish your DMARC policy. By making a few thoughtful adjustments, you can significantly reduce your vulnerabilities and build greater trust with those who receive your emails.