DMARC, short for Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance, is a widely adopted email authentication protocol used to combat email spoofing, phishing attacks, and other email-based security threats.
DMARC combines several existing email authentication mechanisms, including SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail), to provide a comprehensive solution for email authentication. It allows email domain owners to specify policies on how ISPs (Internet Service Providers) should handle emails that fail authentication checks.
The main objectives of DMARC are to verify the authenticity of the sending domain, protect the recipient's inbox from fraudulent emails, and provide visibility into email activity and potential abuse. By implementing DMARC, email senders can strengthen their brand security and protect their customers from phishing attacks aimed at stealing sensitive information.
DMARC works by allowing email senders to publish DMARC policies in their Domain Name System (DNS) records. These policies instruct receiving email servers on how to handle messages that fail authentication. DMARC policies can specify actions such as rejecting the message, sending it to the recipient's spam folder, or quarantining it for further evaluation.
Moreover, DMARC provides reporting capabilities through which email senders receive feedback on the authentication status of their messages. These reports contain detailed information on email volume, authentication failures, and potential unauthorized usage of their domain name.
Overall, DMARC plays a crucial role in ensuring the security and integrity of email communication by combining multiple authentication mechanisms and enabling domain owners to have better control over their email traffic.
