DMARC Check Explained:
How To Ensure Your Emails Are Properly Authenticated

Email is still a vital means of communication for both companies and individuals. Yet, its popularity also brings about significant risks, including phishing scams, email impersonation, and unwanted spam. To mitigate these dangers, implementing email authentication standards such as DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) is crucial. A DMARC check verifies that your emails are correctly authenticated, safeguarding your reputation and your recipients' security.


What is DMARC?


DMARC is a protocol for email verification aimed at enabling domain owners to safeguard their domains against misuse. It operates alongside two additional authentication methods: SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail).

Essentially, DMARC empowers domain owners to set a policy in their DNS records. This policy instructs recipient mail servers on how to treat emails that appear to originate from their domain but do not pass authentication tests. With DMARC, domain owners can specify that such messages be quarantined, rejected, or accepted with a warning for further scrutiny.



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How DMARC Works

DMARC operates through two primary components:

  • Alignment: It verifies if the domain in the "From" field matches the domain authenticated by SPF and/or DKIM.

  • Policy Enforcement: Depending on the DMARC policy set by the domain (none, quarantine, or reject), the receiving mail server will respond accordingly when an email does not pass authentication.

Additionally, DMARC offers reporting features that allow domain owners to gain insights into who is sending emails on their behalf, aiding in the detection of potential misuse or configuration errors.


The Importance of Performing a DMARC Check


Adopting DMARC is a significant advancement, yet it requires ongoing attention rather than being a one-time fix. Consistent monitoring of DMARC is essential to maintaining the effectiveness of your authentication system and to promptly detect and address any unauthorized email actions.


Why DMARC Checks Matter

  • Safeguard Your Brand Image: Implementing a DMARC check helps prevent your brand from being exploited in phishing schemes.

  • Enhance Email Delivery: When DMARC is correctly set up, Internet Service Providers are more inclined to trust and successfully deliver your emails.

  • Increase Awareness: DMARC reports offer valuable information regarding the entities sending emails using your domain.

  • Maintain Compliance: Many sectors mandate rigorous email authentication to meet regulatory standards.


How to Perform a DMARC Check


Conducting a DMARC verification consists of several simple steps, whether you're implementing it for the first time or reviewing an already established setup. Discover more by clicking this source.


1. Verify Your DNS Records

To initiate a DMARC verification, begin by examining the DNS records associated with your domain. You need to have a DMARC record established with the identifier _dmarc.yourdomain.com. This record must outline your policy preferences and indicate the destination for report submissions.

Here’s a sample of a DMARC record:

v=DMARC1; p=reject; rua=mailto:dmarc-reports@yourdomain.com; pct=100;


2. Use Online DMARC Check Tools

There are numerous tools available, both free and paid, that can help you conduct a DMARC lookup. A few well-known choices are:

  • DMARC Analyzer

  • MXToolbox DMARC Check

  • Agari DMARC Inspector


3. Review SPF and DKIM Alignment

DMARC relies on SPF and DKIM, so it's essential to confirm that both are correctly configured:

  • SPF Verification: Ensure that your SPF record includes every authorized email server that is permitted to send emails for your domain.

  • DKIM Verification: Check that your DKIM records are properly established and that your outgoing emails are signed accordingly.

Alignment requires that the domain used in the "From" field corresponds to the domain found in the SPF and DKIM signatures, either as an exact match or through an established relationship, such as a subdomain.


4. Monitor DMARC Reports

After DMARC is activated, you will begin to receive aggregate reports (rua) and, if enabled, forensic reports (ruf). These XML documents provide essential information regarding the origins of your email traffic. Employing DMARC reporting tools can significantly simplify the process of analyzing these reports.



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Best Practices for Maintaining Strong Email Authentication


  • Begin with a "none" policy: Initially track your email traffic without enforcing rules to collect necessary insights.

  • Progress to "quarantine" or "reject": Transition to these policies once you are assured that only legitimate servers are sending your emails.

  • Regularly update your records: Ensure that any time you integrate new email service providers or systems, your records reflect those changes.

  • Train your staff: Ensure that both IT and marketing departments are well-versed in the fundamentals of email authentication.