Understanding Common DMARC Policy Configurations

Posted on by

What is DMARC?

DMARC stands for Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance. It is an email authentication protocol that ensures that the emails sent from a particular domain are authentic and not forged or spoofed. DMARC works by enabling the recipient email servers to verify that an email originates from an authorized sender and that it has not been tampered with in any way during transit.

How Does DMARC Work?

DMARC allows domain owners to publish a policy in their DNS record that specifies the actions to be taken by the recipient email servers if an email fails DMARC authentication. The DMARC policy can be configured to either “none,” “quarantine,” or “reject” an email based on the results of the DMARC checks.

  • None: The DMARC policy is set to “none” by default, and it does not instruct the recipient email servers to take any action if an email fails DMARC authentication. Instead, the DMARC reports are sent to the domain owner, providing them with information about the email-sending practices for their domain.
  • Quarantine: The “quarantine” DMARC policy instructs the recipient email servers to treat the email differently by sending it to the spam folder instead of delivering it to the inbox.
  • Reject: The “reject” DMARC policy instructs the recipient email servers to reject the email and not deliver it to the recipient’s inbox.

    • DMARC also enables domain owners to receive reports on emails that passed, failed, or were blocked by DMARC checks. These reports help domain owners to monitor their email-sending practices and identify any attempts to impersonate their domain.

    Common DMARC Policy Configurations

    DMARC policies can be customized to fit the needs of a particular domain. However, there are some common DMARC policy configurations that most domain owners use. Here are some of the most common configurations:

  • p=none: This is the default policy, and it instructs the recipient email servers to take no action if an email fails DMARC authentication. The domain owner will receive DMARC reports on emails that pass or fail DMARC checks.
  • p=quarantine: This policy instructs the recipient email servers to send emails that fail DMARC authentication to the spam folder. This configuration is ideal for domains that have few senders or for those in the initial stages of implementing a DMARC policy.
  • p=reject: This policy instructs the recipient email servers to reject emails that fail DMARC authentication and not deliver them to the recipient’s inbox. This configuration is ideal for domains that have already implemented strong email authentication practices and want to enforce a strict DMARC policy.
  • pct: This policy sets the percentage of emails that should be subjected to DMARC checks. This configuration is useful for domains that want to gradually implement a DMARC policy and not affect all their email traffic at once.
  • rua: This policy specifies the email address where DMARC reports should be sent. This configuration is necessary for domains that want to monitor their email-sending practices and ensure that their emails are not being forged or spoofed.

    • Benefits of DMARC Configuration

    Implementing DMARC configuration for your domain offers several benefits, including:

  • Reduced risk of email fraud: DMARC is designed to prevent domain spoofing and email fraud by ensuring that the emails sent from a particular domain are authentic and have not been tampered with at any point during transit.
  • Improved email deliverability: By implementing DMARC, domain owners can ensure that their emails are more likely to be delivered to the recipient’s inbox and not kicked to the spam folder.
  • Insight into email-sending practices: DMARC reports provide domain owners with useful information about their email-sending practices. This information can help them identify any attempts to impersonate their domain and take appropriate action.
  • Protection of customer data: DMARC helps ensure that emails sent from a domain do not contain phishing or other malicious content that could compromise customer data.

    • Conclusion

    DMARC is an essential email authentication protocol that helps prevent email fraud and domain spoofing. By implementing DMARC policy configurations, domain owners can ensure that their emails are authentic and reach the recipient’s inbox while keeping their customers’ data secure. With different DMARC policy configurations to choose from, domain owners can customize their DMARC policies to fit their unique needs and improve their email-sending practices. Enhance your learning experience with this recommended external website. There, you’ll find additional and interesting information about the subject covered in this article. what is dmarc.

    Explore the related links and delve deeper into the topic of this article:

    Get informed

    Research details

    Click to access this insightful guide

    Understanding Common DMARC Policy Configurations 1