{"id":70681,"date":"2024-05-15T08:45:55","date_gmt":"2024-05-15T14:45:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scalahosting.com\/blog\/?p=70681"},"modified":"2026-02-17T06:35:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T12:35:19","slug":"boost-deliverability-with-email-authentication-spf-dkim-and-dmarc-explained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scalahosting.com\/blog\/boost-deliverability-with-email-authentication-spf-dkim-and-dmarc-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"SPF DKIM DMARC Setup: Boost Email Deliverability"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Email authentication is a process where multiple techniques are used to provide verifiable information about the origin of a message<\/strong>. It confirms whether it was sent from a reliable source. It also helps people avoid malicious messages<\/strong> and, as such, has a pivotal role in ensuring the integrity and security of electronic communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This process involves the implementation of various protocols, such as SPF<\/strong><\/a> (Sender Policy Framework), DKIM<\/strong> (DomainKeys Identified Mail), and DMARC<\/strong> (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance). These three collectively work to verify the legitimacy of the sender and protect recipients from fraudulent content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The importance of authenticating emails goes beyond mere security concerns; it also directly influences their deliverability<\/strong>. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and mail services utilize authentication data to gauge the legitimacy of incoming messages,<\/strong> which affects whether they end up in the recipient\u2019s inbox or their spam folder<\/a> or get rejected altogether. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In short, proper email authentication not only protects users from potential cyber threats but also ensures that legitimate emails reach their intended audience<\/strong>, thereby enhancing deliverability and user trust. In this article, we\u2019ll take a deep dive into the three most widely-used email authentication protocols<\/strong>, show you how to set them up, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s begin!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Role and Inner Workings of Email Authentication Protocols<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"SPF<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In order for the authentication process to be successful<\/strong>, all three protocols we mentioned above must be implemented. That\u2019s because all of them work collectively to contribute to verifying the legitimacy of email senders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SPF confirms the authorized <\/strong>mail servers<\/strong><\/a>, DKIM ensures the integrity of the message’s content<\/strong> through cryptographic signatures, and DMARC provides policies and reporting<\/strong> to manage the outcome of each check. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And since the three provide a thorough verification process, they can also help users battle phishing and email spoofing and boost user trust<\/strong>. Phishing attacks and email spoofing involve malicious actors who are attempting to trick recipients into believing that an email is from a trustworthy source. They’re made with the intent of stealing sensitive information, spreading malware, or initiating fraudulent activities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preventing Email Spoofing <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Email spoofing<\/strong><\/a> is an attack where the hacker forges the sender\u2019s address to make it look as if the message is from a trusted source. SPF and DKIM<\/strong> are very effective in preventing this type of threat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SPF allows you to specify authorized mail servers<\/strong>. When an email is received, the recipient\u2019s server checks the SPF records to confirm the sender\u2019s legitimacy<\/strong>. DKIM adds a digital signature to the message, providing a cryptographic verification method<\/strong> to ensure that no one has tampered with it during transit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mitigating Phishing Attacks<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Phishing attacks<\/a> usually rely on creating emails that mimic real conversations to deceive recipients. Domain holders can set policies that instruct receiving mail servers on how to handle messages that fail SPF and DKIM checks by implementing DMARC. This helps prevent the delivery of suspicious content<\/strong> to peoples\u2019 inboxes and minimizes the risk of falling victim to phishing attacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DMARC also enables you to get reports on email authentication results<\/strong>. This allows you to monitor and take action against unauthorized use of your domains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enhancing User Trust<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A proper verification process can also foster user trust in the email ecosystem<\/strong>. People are more likely to interact via electronic communication without fear of compromising sensitive information if they can trust that a message is genuinely from the claimed sender<\/strong>. This is pivotal for all brands and businesses, especially those who rely heavily on email marketing and networking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now that you know more about email authentication protocols<\/strong> in general, let\u2019s explore the three most-used ones in more detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can include an image here that shows boosting user trust.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sender Policy Framework (SPF) Explained<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"SPF<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sender Policy Framework (SPF) is a protocol designed to help prevent email spoofing. It does so by identifying the mail servers that are allowed to send messages from a given domain<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

SPF allows domain owners to declare which servers are authorized to send emails on their behalf. This is achieved by publishing SPF records in the domain\u2019s DNS (Domain Name System). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An SPF record contains a list of all authorized IP addresses or<\/strong> <\/strong>hostnames<\/strong><\/a> that are permitted to send content. When an email is received, the recipient\u2019s mail server can check the SPF record of the sender\u2019s domain to verify if the originating server is included in the list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, let\u2019s say an employee of yours is sending an email to a vendor<\/strong>. The vendor\u2019s mail server can check if the address your employee used is on the list of authorized servers<\/strong> and confirm that the email Is legitimate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the SPF check passes, it indicates that the email is most likely trustworthy because it\u2019s coming from a verified server. If it fails, it raises suspicion about the message\u2019s authenticity and could be marked as spam or rejected altogether<\/strong>. The process that this protocol uses to authenticate emails helps greatly in reducing the risk of phishing and email spoofing, as it allows you to check the legitimacy of your incoming messages.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Does an SPF Check Look Like?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Now you know what SPF does. We\u2019ll explore how it works next, showing you what an SPF check looks like from start to finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Publishing Records<\/strong>: You need to publish SPF records in your domain\u2019s DNS in order to set up your SPF protocol and use it to your advantage. These records contain all the IP addresses<\/strong><\/a> and hostnames that are allowed to send emails on your domain\u2019s behalf.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Recipient\u2019s Server Checks Your SPF Record<\/strong>: You send an email to your intended recipient. Their server then checks the SPF record for your domain in the <\/strong>DNS<\/strong><\/a>. If the hostname or IP address you\u2019ve sent a message from is listed as an authorized sender in the record, your email will pass the check.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Action Based on SPF Results<\/strong>: An email will go through without any issues if it has passed the SPF evaluation<\/strong>. If it hasn\u2019t, it means that the address used to send it may be unauthorized, and the recipient\u2019s server can take actions such as marking the message as spam, quarantining it, or rejecting it.<\/strong>

    This is how SPF prevents unauthorized senders from using your domain<\/em>. They\u2019ll try to send an email from an address that has your domain name but isn\u2019t in your SPF record, and it\u2019ll be rejected or marked as spam as a result. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Publishing an SPF Record in Your DNS<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    In this section of the article, we\u2019ll show you how you can specify which IP addresses and hostnames can use your domain to send emails. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You\u2019ll need to publish an SPF record in your DNS, which you can do by following the below-given steps:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. Access Your Domain\u2019s DNS Settings<\/strong>: Log into the control panel or dashboard of your registrar or hosting provider. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Locate DNS Settings or DNS Management<\/strong>: Look for the section that lets you manage your DNS. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Create a New TXT Record<\/strong>: Find the option to add a new TXT record<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Enter the SPF Record<\/strong>: Create a new TXT record and enter the SPF information. This typically starts with \u201cv=spf1<\/em>\u201d (version 1 of SPF). Then, specify the IP addresses, hostnames, or mechanisms allowed to send emails on behalf of your domain. Here\u2019s a simple example:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      v=spf1 ip4:192.0.2.1 include:mail.example.com -all <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      This record allows emails from the IP address 192.0.2.1<\/strong> and the mail server at mail.example.com to send emails from your domain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      1. Save the Changes<\/strong>: Save the changes you\u2019ve made and publish the record. This can be labelled as Save, Update, or Publish. <\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Verification<\/strong>: It may take some time for your new SPF record to start working across the DNS. You can use an online record-checking tool to ensure that your SPF record is correctly published and valid.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM) Explained<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
        \"SPF<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM) is an authentication method that adds a digital signature to emails<\/strong>. Its primary purpose is to verify the integrity of an electronic message and ensure that it has not been altered during transit. Its role in ascertaining the authenticity of emails can be broken down into a few points:<\/p>\n\n\n\n