As a marketer, you know that email is one of your most powerful tools. 

But what happens when your carefully crafted campaigns are hijacked by cybercriminals? 

Spoofing and phishing attacks have become so sophisticated that even the savviest recipients can be tricked into believing a fraudulent email is the real deal. 

These attacks don't just harm your audience—they can severely damage your brand’s reputation, sink your open rates, and even land your domain on a blacklist.

This is where DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) steps in as a game-changer. 

So, what is DMARC? 

Let’s cover that in our next section.

What Is DMARC?

DMARC is an email authentication protocol that helps domain owners protect their domain from unauthorized use—commonly referred to as email spoofing. 

In simpler terms, DMARC acts like a security checkpoint for your email domain, ensuring that only emails from legitimate sources make it to your recipients' inboxes. 

It does this by leveraging existing authentication methods, such as SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail), and providing domain owners with the ability to decide what happens to emails that fail these checks. 

Whether you want to monitor these emails, quarantine them, or block them altogether, DMARC gives you the control to safeguard your domain’s reputation.

Benefits of DMARC

Improved Email Security

DMARC is your first line of defense against email-based attacks like spoofing and phishing. 

By authenticating your emails, DMARC ensures that only legitimate messages pass through, reducing the risk of malicious emails reaching your audience. 

This added layer of security helps protect both your business and your customers from potential harm.

Increased Email Deliverability

When your emails consistently pass authentication checks, it signals to ISPs (Internet Service Providers) that your domain is trustworthy. 

As a result, your emails are more likely to land in the inbox rather than being filtered into spam. Improved deliverability means your marketing messages reach more of your audience, maximizing the impact of your campaigns.

Protects Brand Reputation

Your brand’s reputation is on the line with every email you send. A successful spoofing attack can tarnish your brand's image, leading to a loss of trust among your customers. 

By implementing DMARC, you can prevent cybercriminals from using your domain to send fraudulent emails, thereby protecting your brand’s integrity and maintaining customer confidence.

Visibility Through Reports

One of the key advantages of DMARC is the visibility it provides through detailed reports. 

These reports give you insights into who is sending emails on your behalf and how they are performing in terms of authentication. 

This data is invaluable for identifying potential vulnerabilities, monitoring your email channels, and making informed decisions to improve your overall email strategy.

What Does a DMARC Record Look Like?

Here’s a breakdown of what a typical DMARC record looks like:

Example DMARC Record:

v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc-reports@yourdomain.com

Breaking It Down:

• v=DMARC1: This part specifies the version of DMARC being used. Currently, the version is always "DMARC1".
• p=none: The "p" tag stands for "policy," which dictates what happens to emails that fail DMARC checks. In this case, "none" means that no specific action will be taken; however, you’ll still receive reports. Other possible values include "quarantine" (send the email to spam) or "reject" (block the email entirely).
• rua=mailto
  @yourdomain.com: The "rua" tag defines where aggregate reports should be sent. These reports provide a summary of how your emails are being authenticated and any issues that arise.

With this simple record, you're telling email receivers to evaluate emails claiming to be from your domain and to send you reports so you can monitor what’s happening. Over time, you can adjust your policy as needed to provide even stronger protection for your domain.

How To Check Your DMARC Records

Ensuring your DMARC records are correctly configured is crucial for maintaining your email security. 

Checking these records is a straightforward process that can be done using various online tools. Here’s a quick guide on how to do it:

There are several free tools available online that allow you to check your DMARC records. If you’re looking for a free one, here’s Smartlead’s DMARC checker.

Next, you’ll need to enter your domain name (e.g., yourdomain.com) into the provided field.

The tool will analyze your domain’s DNS records and display the DMARC record if one exists. It will break down each part of the record so you can easily understand your current DMARC setup.

What is DMARC Policy?

A DMARC policy is a set of rules that dictates how emails from your domain should be handled if they fail DMARC checks. 

This policy is crucial because it determines the level of protection you apply to your domain. 

There are three primary DMARC policy options:

None:

• Definition: The "none" policy is the most lenient option. When this policy is set, no specific action is taken on emails that fail DMARC checks, but reports are still generated and sent to you.
• Impact: This policy is often used during the initial phase of DMARC implementation. It allows you to monitor your email traffic without affecting email delivery, giving you valuable insights without disrupting your communications.

Quarantine:

• Definition: The "quarantine" policy instructs receiving servers to treat emails that fail DMARC checks with caution, usually by placing them in the recipient’s spam or junk folder.
• Impact: This policy adds a layer of protection by preventing suspicious emails from reaching the inbox. It’s a good middle-ground option for businesses looking to tighten security without completely blocking emails.

Reject:

• Definition: The "reject" policy is the strictest. It tells receiving servers to outright reject emails that fail DMARC checks, meaning these emails will never reach the recipient.
• Impact: This policy provides the highest level of security, ensuring that only emails that pass all authentication checks are delivered. It’s recommended for domains that want to fully protect their brand from spoofing attacks.

How Does DMARC Work?

As we read before, DMARC works by leveraging two existing email authentication protocols—SPF and DKIM—to verify that an email is legitimate and comes from an authorized sender. 

Here’s a brief overview of how it all fits together:

SPF (Sender Policy Framework):

SPF allows the domain owner to specify which IP addresses are allowed to send emails on behalf of their domain. When an email is received, the receiving server checks the SPF record to see if the email’s source IP is authorized.

DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail):

DKIM adds a digital signature to the email’s header, which is linked to a specific domain. The receiving server can then use the DKIM key in the DNS to verify that the email’s content hasn’t been tampered with and that it’s genuinely from the claimed domain.

DMARC Alignment:

DMARC ties everything together by checking if the email aligns with the domain’s policies as defined by SPF and DKIM. It verifies that the “From” header in the email matches the authenticated domain and that both SPF and DKIM checks are in place.

If the email passes these checks, it’s delivered as usual. If it fails, DMARC instructs the receiving server on what to do next based on the domain’s DMARC policy (none, quarantine, or reject).

How Do I Implement DMARC on My Domain?

To create a DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) record for your domain, follow these steps:

1. Log in to Your Domain’s DNS Management

Access your domain registrar’s DNS management dashboard. This is where you manage DNS records like TXT, A, and MX records.

2. Add a New TXT Record

Look for an option to add a new DNS record, and select TXT Record from the available options.

3. Enter the DMARC Record Information

• Hostname/Name: Enter _dmarc (this is the subdomain for the DMARC record).
• Type: Set this to TXT.
• Value/Content: This is where you’ll add the DMARC policy. 

Here’s an example of a DMARC record:

v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc-reports@yourdomain.com; ruf=mailto:dmarc-forensics@yourdomain.com; pct=100

• v=DMARC1: Specifies the version of DMARC.
• p=none: This is the policy (none, quarantine, or reject). Choose:some text
  • none: Just monitor email traffic.
  • quarantine: Emails that fail DMARC are marked as spam.
  • reject: Reject emails that fail DMARC.
• rua=mailto:dmarc-reports@yourdomain.com: Email address for aggregate reports.
• ruf=mailto:dmarc-forensics@yourdomain.com: Email address for forensic reports (optional).
• pct=100: The percentage of emails to which the policy applies. You can reduce this (e.g., to 50%) to test your policy on a fraction of emails.

4. Save the TXT Record

Once you’ve added the details, save the record in your DNS management system.

5. Verify the Record

Use tools like Smartlead’s DMARC Analyzer to check if your DMARC record is correctly configured.

Example DMARC Record (Aggressive Policy)

v=DMARC1; p=reject; rua=mailto:dmarc-reports@yourdomain.com; ruf=mailto:dmarc-forensics@yourdomain.com; pct=100; sp=reject; aspf=r;

• sp=reject: This policy applies to subdomains as well.
• aspf=r: Specifies strict alignment for SPF.

This setup will help protect your domain from email spoofing and improve your email deliverability.

How To Set Up DMARC Records With Popular Providers

Setting up DMARC is straightforward, but the exact steps vary depending on your DNS provider. Here’s a guide to help you configure DMARC records with some of the most popular DNS hosting services.

Cloudflare

1. Log into your Cloudflare Account: Head to the Cloudflare dashboard and select the domain you want to configure DMARC for.
2. Navigate to DNS Settings: On the top menu, click on "DNS."
3. Add a New Record: Scroll down to the “DNS Management” section and click “Add Record.”
4. Select TXT Record: In the "Type" dropdown, choose “TXT” and then set the "Name" field to _dmarc.
5. Input the DMARC Record: Enter your DMARC record in the “Content” field. Example:
   v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc-reports@yourdomain.com.
6. Save Your Record: After entering the details, click “Save.” Your DMARC record will be published.

GoDaddy

1. Log into GoDaddy: Visit your GoDaddy account and navigate to “Domains.”
2. Select Your Domain: Choose the domain where you want to set up DMARC.
3. Open DNS Settings: Scroll down to the “DNS Management” section.
4. Add a TXT Record: Under the “Records” tab, click “Add” and select “TXT” as the record type.
5. Enter DMARC Details: In the “Host” field, type _dmarc. In the “TXT Value” field, enter your DMARC record (e.g., v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc-reports@yourdomain.com).
6. Save the Changes: Once you’ve input the record, save your changes to make the DMARC record live.

Namecheap

1. Log into Namecheap: Access your account and click on “Domain List” from the dashboard.
2. Manage DNS: Choose the domain and click “Manage,” then navigate to the “Advanced DNS” tab.
3. Add a New Record: Scroll down to the “Host Records” section and click “Add New Record.”
4. Select TXT Record: Choose “TXT” from the dropdown and input _dmarc in the “Host” field.
5. Insert the DMARC Policy: In the “Value” field, paste your DMARC record (e.g., v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc-reports@yourdomain.com).
6. Save: Click “Save All Changes” to apply the new DMARC record.

Misconceptions About DMARC

There are several common misconceptions surrounding DMARC, and it’s important to clarify them:

Misconception 1: DMARC guarantees email security.

While DMARC significantly reduces the chances of email spoofing, it isn’t a foolproof solution for all email-related threats. DMARC works alongside other email authentication protocols like SPF and DKIM, but it doesn’t address every type of attack.

Misconception 2: DMARC is only for large companies.

Many believe that DMARC is only necessary for big enterprises, but small businesses are also frequent targets of phishing attacks. Implementing DMARC can help businesses of all sizes protect their domain and customers.

Misconception 3: Implementing DMARC will immediately stop phishing.

DMARC doesn’t instantly block all phishing attempts. It takes time for your policies to work, and while it can deter fraudsters, it must be combined with other security measures to fully combat phishing.

Conclusion

So, by now you must have gained a clear understanding of what is DMARC and why it is a crucial tool in the fight against email fraud. 

By implementing DMARC on your domain, you can take control of your email security, protect your brand, and improve email deliverability. 

Whether you’re running a small business or a large enterprise, securing your domain with DMARC is a proactive step that’s worth the effort. 

Take the time to implement DMARC today and monitor your policies to ensure your emails are protected against the growing threat of cybercrime.