DMARC is a powerful email authentication protocol. It protects your domain from being misused by cybercriminals. With DMARC, you can prevent hackers from sending emails that appear to be from your domain. This stops phishing attacks and spoofing attempts. In this article, we’ll talk about why it is important to have this set up and how to set up DMARC to secure your emails.

What Is DMARC?

DMARC, which stands for Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance, is a protocol designed to authenticate and protect email domains from unauthorized use, such as spoofing, phishing, and scams. 

It combines existing authentication methods like SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) to verify the legitimacy of emails. DMARC checks the alignment of the “From” field with other authenticated domains and specifies how to handle emails that fail authentication tests.

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DMARC secures your email communication. Without it, your domain is vulnerable to being exploited by attackers. They can send fraudulent emails that seem legitimate, tricking recipients into sharing sensitive information or clicking on malicious links. 

When you know how to set up DMARC, you gain control over how your emails are handled. It protects both your business and your customers.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Set Up DMARC

Setting up Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance (DMARC) enhances email security and ensures the authenticity of your domain. Here are the steps on how to set up DMARC to prepare your record, update your DNS settings, and effectively monitor and adjust your email authentication policies to optimize email deliverability and security.

Step 1: Prepare Your DMARC Record

Before you can set up DMARC, you need to create a DMARC record. This is a simple text file. It tells receiving mail servers how to handle emails from your domain that fail authentication checks.

To create your DMARC record, you will need to define the following:

• Policy (p tag): Decide how you want to handle emails that fail DMARC checks. You have three options:
• None: Take no action. The email will be delivered to the recipient.
• Quarantine: Mark the email as spam.
• Reject: Reject the email completely.
• Aggregate Reports (rua tag): Specify an email address to receive reports on how your domain’s emails are being handled. Use the format: mailto:your-email@example.com.
• Percentage (pct tag): Set the percentage of emails to apply the DMARC policy. Start with a lower percentage to test your setup, then gradually increase it.

A DMARC record consists of plain text with various tags and values, separated by semicolons. The v (version) and p (policy) tags are mandatory and should be listed first. Other tags like rua (for reporting) and sp (for subdomains) are optional but can be included based on your requirements. 

Your DMARC record will look something like this:

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

Make sure to replace example.com with your actual domain.

Some domain hosts might automatically append your domain name to the TXT record name, potentially causing incorrect formatting. After adding your DMARC TXT record, verify the format using tools like the Google Admin Toolbox’s Dig feature. Ensure the TXT record is correctly formatted to reflect the intended DMARC policy.

Step 2: Update Your DNS Records

Now that you have your DMARC record, you need to add it to your domain’s DNS settings. This is done through your domain provider’s management console.

Here’s how:

1. Log in to your domain provider’s console.
2. Find the page where you can update DNS records.
3. Add a new TXT record with the following details:
• Name: _dmarc.yourdomain.com
• Value: Your DMARC record text, like the example above.
4. Save your changes.

Make sure your DMARC record is correctly formatted. Some domain providers automatically add the domain name to the end of the TXT record name. Check that your record is accurate.

Step 3: Monitor and Adjust

After setting up DMARC, monitor the reports sent to your specified email address. These reports will show how your emails are being handled. If you notice any issues, you can adjust your DMARC record. For example, if legitimate emails are being marked as spam, you might want to change the policy from reject to quarantine.

It is strongly advised not to disable DMARC for your domain. Without DMARC, your domain is vulnerable to email spoofing, phishing, and spam. If you must disable it, be aware that this action exposes your users and contacts to significant risks.

Why DMARC Matters for Your Business

In today’s digital landscape, safeguarding your business from cyber threats is necessary. Here’s why DMARC matters for your business:

Protection Against Phishing and Spoofing

DMARC protects your business from phishing and spoofing attacks. When you set up DMARC, you make it nearly impossible for attackers to send fraudulent emails using your domain. This means you can protect your brand reputation and avoid damaging your relationship with customers.

Peace of Mind for Your Customers

Your customers also benefit from DMARC. They can trust that emails from your domain are legitimate. This builds confidence in your brand. It also ensures that all communications are private and secure. Your customers won’t have to worry about falling victim to phishing scams that appear to come from you.

Diib’s DMARC Dashboard Widget

On the Diib dashboard, you’ll find a widget that monitors your DMARC setup. This widget will show that everything is functioning properly when no issues are detected. This means your DMARC record is working as intended.

If the widget shows no issues, you can rest assured that your domain is secure. Diib constantly checks your DMARC setup. It alerts you if any problems arise, so you can take action immediately.

Having this monitoring in place saves you time and stress. You won’t need to constantly check your DMARC reports manually. Diib does it for you. This ensures that your domain remains protected at all times.

Set Up DMARC Today

Setting up DMARC helps in protecting your business from email-based threats. When you know how to set up DMARC properly, you can secure your domain and prevent hackers from impersonating your brand.

With DMARC in place, your customers can trust that emails from your domain are legitimate. This builds trust and ensures that all communications are private and protected.

Protect your business and secure your emails with DMARC. Don’t leave your domain vulnerable to attacks. Sign up for Diib today to get started with DMARC and ensure your domain is protected. 

With Diib, you can monitor your DMARC setup effortlessly. Start your journey to secure email communication now. For inquiries, feel free to reach out to us.