How to Set Up a DMARC Record: A-to-Z Guide for Beginners!

In this article, I am going to tell you How to Set Up a DMARC Record. so if you want to know about it, then keep reading this article. Because I am going to give you complete information about it.

In today’s digital age, protecting your domain from email spoofing and phishing attacks is crucial. One effective way to achieve this is by setting up a DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) record. This article will guide you through the steps to set up a DMARC record to enhance your email security.

How to Set Up a DMARC Record

Today’s article focuses on the same, i.e., “How to Set Up a DMARC Record”. The articles entail each bit of information necessary for you to know.

Let’s get started!

What is DMARC?

DMARC is an email authentication protocol that builds on the existing SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) protocols. It allows domain owners to publish policies in their DNS records that specify how receiving mail servers should handle emails that fail SPF or DKIM checks. Additionally, DMARC provides a way for domain owners to receive reports about the emails sent from their domain.

How to Set Up a DMARC Record?

Step 1: Ensure SPF and DKIM are Configured

Before setting up DMARC, you need to have both SPF and DKIM configured for your domain. Here’s a brief overview:

  • SPF (Sender Policy Framework): SPF is a DNS record that specifies which mail servers are authorized to send emails on behalf of your domain. To set up SPF, create a TXT record in your DNS with the following format:
  v=spf1 include:example.com -all
  • DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail): DKIM adds a digital signature to your emails, allowing the receiving server to verify that the email was indeed sent by your domain and hasn’t been tampered with. To set up DKIM, you need to generate a DKIM key pair and publish the public key as a TXT record in your DNS.

Step 2: Create a DMARC Record

Once SPF and DKIM are configured, you can create your DMARC record. A DMARC record is a TXT record added to your domain’s DNS settings. Here is an example of a basic DMARC record:

v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc-reports@example.com; ruf=mailto:dmarc-forensic@example.com; sp=none; adkim=s; aspf=s

Here’s a breakdown of the components:

  • v=DMARC1: Specifies the DMARC protocol version.
  • p=none: Policy for emails that fail DMARC checks (none, quarantine, or reject).
  • rua=mailto:dmarc-reports@example.com: Address to send aggregate reports.
  • ruf=mailto:dmarc-forensic@example.com: Address to send forensic reports.
  • sp=none: Policy for subdomains (none, quarantine, or reject).
  • adkim=s: Alignment mode for DKIM (s: strict, r: relaxed).
  • aspf=s: Alignment mode for SPF (s: strict, r: relaxed).

Step 3: Publish the DMARC Record

To publish the DMARC record, log in to your DNS hosting provider and add a new TXT record with the following details:

  • Host/Name: _dmarc.yourdomain.com
  • Type: TXT
  • Value: Your DMARC record (e.g., v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc-reports@example.com; ruf=mailto:dmarc-forensic@example.com; sp=none; adkim=s; aspf=s)

Step 4: Monitor DMARC Reports

After publishing your DMARC record, you will start receiving DMARC reports at the email addresses specified in the rua and ruf tags. These reports provide valuable insights into how your emails are being handled by recipient servers and can help you fine-tune your DMARC policy.

Conclusion:)

Setting up a DMARC record is a vital step in securing your domain’s email communications. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can protect your domain from email spoofing and phishing attacks, ensuring that your emails are trusted and your brand’s reputation remains intact. Regularly monitor the DMARC reports and adjust your policies as needed to maintain robust email security.

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