Need Help with Email Authentication & DMARC Monitoring?

Have you noticed an increase in talk about email authentication recently? It’s because phishing remains a significant security threat. Phishing has been the leading cause of data breaches for years. There is a significant change happening in the email world to combat phishing scams.

Email authentication is now a must for email service providers. It’s crucial for your online presence and communication to acknowledge this shift. Google and Yahoo, two of the biggest email providers, have introduced a new DMARC policy starting February 2024, making email authentication essential. This policy targets people emailing Gmail and Yahoo Mail. But what exactly is DMARC, and why is it suddenly so important? No need to worry – we’ll explain everything you need to know about email authentication and its importance for your business in today’s digital landscape.

Imagine receiving an urgent email from your bank requesting action, only to realise it’s a scam after clicking on a link and giving away your information – that’s email spoofing. Scammers disguise their emails to appear legitimate, often impersonating individuals or organisations like businesses to deceive customers and vendors. Email spoofing can have severe consequences for companies, including financial losses, damage to reputation, data breaches, and loss of future business opportunities. Unfortunately, this deceptive practice is on the rise, underscoring the critical importance of implementing robust email authentication measures.

What is Email Authentication? Email authentication is a way to confirm that your email is real. It verifies the server sending the email and detects any unauthorised use of a company domain.

There are three key protocols used in email authentication:

SPF (Sender Policy Framework)

DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)

DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance)

SPF records authorised IP addresses for sending emails, DKIM digitally signs emails to verify legitimacy, and DMARC provides instructions to receiving servers on how to handle SPF and DKIM checks, as well as alerts domain owners of spoofing attempts.

By setting up a DMARC record in your domain settings, you inform email receivers of authorised IP addresses for sending emails on your behalf. Receivers then check if the email is from an authorised sender based on your DMARC policy and act accordingly – such as delivering, rejecting, or quarantining the email. You receive reports from DMARC authentication informing you if your business emails are being delivered and if scammers are trying to spoof your domain.

Why Google & Yahoo’s New DMARC Policy Matters

Google and Yahoo have previously provided some spam filtering services, but they were not strict in enforcing DMARC policies. However, their new DMARC policy sets a higher standard for email security. The policy came into effect in February 2024, requiring businesses sending over 5,000 emails daily to have DMARC implemented. Both companies also have policies for those sending fewer emails, related to SPF and DKIM authentication. Email authentication requirements will continue to be important for smooth email delivery. Implementing DMARC offers various benefits for your business: protecting your brand reputation by preventing email spoofing scams, improving email deliverability by ensuring legitimate emails reach recipients’ inboxes, and providing valuable insights through detailed DMARC reports that help identify potential issues and enhance email security. It is crucial to act now to implement DMARC, especially with the increasing concerns about email security and spoofing scams.

To get started, understand your DMARC options, consult your IT team or IT security provider, and regularly track and adjust your implementation.