DKIM record – What does it mean?

The DKIM record, or DomainKeys Identified Mail, is a security standard allowing domains to sign outgoing emails through cryptographic authentication. In this approach, domains can demonstrate that the emails arriving from their end are authentic. So they are trustworthy. The DKIM record also protects communications to stop tampering with them while in transit (sending server-recipient server).

How does it function?

In addition to collaborating with SPF and DMARC to create several layers of security for domains sending emails, DKIM is compatible with the current email infrastructure. When an email leaves the sender server, it is signed with a private key using public-key cryptography.

Then, in order to confirm the message’s origin and ensure that it was not altered in transit, recipient servers employ a public key that has been made available to a domain’s DNS. Finally, the email passes DKIM and is valid if the receiver server confirms the signature using the public key.

How to check DKIM record?

Advantages of utilizing DKIM record

• DKIM is easily enabled. It is a self-certification mechanism. Therefore, three-party certification is not necessary for it to function.
• It protects your users from forged emails. The DKIM record guards against forgery and modification of the emails you send from its email server. DKIM is an excellent tool for your business to build a trustworthy reputation by thwarting spoofing and phishing.
• The bodies of emails remain unaffected. The header contains the information needed for validating and authenticating.
• It works at the level of domain names. The DNS administrator signs all outgoing emails. Every user does not have to do that every time they send a message.
• Additional security thanks to DMARC. More security tools are available that can help you become a better guard, such as the DMARC record. Additionally, the basis for it to function is a DKIM record.

Important DKIM TAGS

You will be able to use the following tags within the DKIM:

v – the DKIM’s version.

a – the employed signing algorithm is specified. It is compatible with RSA-SHA1 and RSA-SHA256.

b – a signature

bh – it stands for body hash.

c – Canonicalization of the message.

d – denotes the domain name.

h, header fields – this is a list of the signed header fields.

i – Unique identifier for the user or agent.

l – stands for body length.

q – DKIM’s default query method is DNS/TXT.

s – it denotes a selector.

t – is the signature timestamp.

x – the expiration date of the signature.

z – duplicated header fields.

Conclusion

Cybercriminals create spam and phishing campaigns by forging emails from reputable domains. So, hackers find it more challenging to impersonate businesses’ email domains, thanks to DKIM. Therefore, it’s crucial to comprehend and use this DNS record type. Best luck!