How to add a DMARC record

How to add a DMARC record

Do you have a DMARC record? Check here:

A DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) record is an email authentication, policy, and reporting protocol that builds on the widely used SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) protocols to enhance the security of email communications. It allows domain owners to specify how email from their domain should be handled if it doesn't pass SPF or DKIM checks. DMARC is defined in a DNS TXT record in the domain's DNS zone.

Why is a DMARC Record Important?

1. Mitigates Email Spoofing and Phishing Attacks: DMARC helps prevent attackers from sending harmful emails using a forged address from your domain, protecting your organization from being impersonated in phishing and spoofing attacks.

2. Improves Email Deliverability: By establishing your domain's emails as authentic, DMARC can improve email deliverability. Email services trust messages more when they pass DMARC checks, reducing the likelihood of legitimate emails being marked as spam.

3. Provides Visibility and Reporting: DMARC policies allow domain owners to receive reports on email flows, enabling them to see who is sending emails on behalf of their domain. This visibility is crucial for identifying legitimate senders and potential security threats.

4. Protects Brand Reputation: By preventing unauthorized use of your domain in email campaigns, DMARC helps protect your brand's reputation from damage associated with email fraud.

5. Compliance: For some organizations, especially in financial services, healthcare, and government, implementing DMARC can be part of complying with regulatory requirements regarding data protection and privacy.

Create a DMARC record here:

How to Add a DMARC Record

How to add a DMARC record involves several steps:

1. Check SPF and DKIM Setup: Ensure that you have SPF and DKIM records properly set up for your domain. DMARC relies on these technologies to function.

2. Create the DMARC Policy: A DMARC policy is specified in a TXT record. It includes the domain's policy (what to do if an email fails SPF or DKIM checks), a reporting email address for aggregate reports, and other optional tags for fine-tuning. An example of a simple DMARC TXT record value might be: v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc@yourdomain.com, where p=none specifies that no specific action should be taken on mail that fails the DMARC check (other options include quarantine or reject), and rua is the address to send aggregate reports to.

3. Publish the DMARC Record to Your DNS: Add a TXT record to your DNS settings at _dmarc.yourdomain.com. The value of this TXT record will be your DMARC policy.

4. Monitor and Adjust: After publishing your DMARC record, monitor the reports you receive to adjust your email sending practices and DMARC policy as needed. This step is crucial for moving safely from a monitoring policy (p=none) to a more protective stance (p=quarantine or p=reject) without impacting legitimate email delivery.

5. Regular Review and Update: Regularly review the DMARC reports and update your policy and email practices as necessary. This process helps maintain effective email security and deliverability.
   

How to add a DMARC record conclusion

Adding a DMARC record and tuning the policy to the right level of enforcement requires careful consideration to avoid legitimate emails from being rejected or marked as spam. It's often recommended to start with a less strict policy (p=none) to monitor the impact and gradually adjust to stricter policies as you gain confidence in your SPF and DKIM configurations.