Did you know? Phishing accounts for over 80% of cyberattacks, and email scams cost businesses $50 billion annually. Ensuring your emails are secure is critical - and that's where SPF, DKIM, and DMARC come in.
These email authentication protocols verify your emails' legitimacy, prevent spoofing, and improve deliverability. However, up to 80% of domains misconfigure DMARC, leaving businesses vulnerable. Regular testing is essential to catch issues and maintain security.
For businesses managing multiple domains, tools like Mailforge automate DNS setup and testing, saving time and reducing errors.
Start testing today to secure your emails, protect your reputation, and improve deliverability.
These three protocols work together to protect your domain and improve email deliverability. Each one has a specific role, and when combined, they create a strong defense against email fraud and spoofing. Let’s break them down and see how they function.
SPF, or Sender Policy Framework, allows you to specify which IP addresses or servers are authorized to send emails on behalf of your domain. This information is published in your domain's DNS records. When a receiving server gets an email claiming to come from your domain, it checks the SPF record to confirm whether the sending server is legitimate. This acts as the first layer of verification.
It’s worth noting that SPF validates the domain in the "Return-Path" field of an email, which is different from the "From" field that users typically see. This distinction is important for understanding how SPF works behind the scenes.
DKIM, or DomainKeys Identified Mail, ensures the integrity of your email by using cryptographic signatures. Here's how it works: your domain attaches a unique signature to outgoing emails using a private key. When the email reaches its destination, the receiving server retrieves the corresponding public key from your DNS records to verify that the message hasn’t been altered during transit. This not only confirms the sender’s identity but also ensures the content of the email remains intact.
DMARC, or Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance, ties SPF and DKIM together to enforce email authentication policies. It allows you to decide what happens to emails that fail authentication - whether they should be delivered, quarantined, or rejected outright. DMARC also provides detailed reports, helping you monitor which emails pass or fail authentication checks.
A properly configured DMARC policy can prevent email spoofing and even improve your email deliverability rates by 10% or more with major providers like Gmail. Together, SPF verifies the sending server, DKIM ensures the email's content is secure, and DMARC enforces your security policies. Skipping any of these protocols weakens your domain's protection.
For those who want to simplify the process, platforms like Mailforge offer automated solutions. These tools handle the technical setup, ensuring your domains remain secure without requiring advanced expertise.
Testing your SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records is a critical step in ensuring the security and reliability of your email system. These records, stored in your DNS as TXT entries, need to be properly configured and regularly tested to confirm they're working as intended. This process not only helps secure your domain but also improves email deliverability by reducing the chances of messages being flagged as spam.
Before diving into testing, allow time for DNS propagation after making any updates. This ensures your changes are fully applied across the internet before running tests.
SPF (Sender Policy Framework) testing ensures that only authorized servers can send emails on behalf of your domain. Here's how to test your SPF records effectively:
nslookup -type=txt domain, while Mac users can run dig txt domain in Terminal.
DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) testing focuses on verifying the cryptographic signatures that protect your email's integrity. Here's how to test your DKIM setup:
nslookup -type=txt selector._domainkey.domain, and for Mac, use dig txt selector._domainkey.domain. Replace "selector" with your actual DKIM selector and "domain" with your domain name.
DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) testing involves checking your policy setup and monitoring how recipient servers handle your emails based on SPF and DKIM results.
nslookup -type=txt _dmarc.domain, and on Mac, use dig txt _dmarc.domain. Your DMARC record should begin with "v=DMARC1".
"DMARC reports provide valuable information about the emails sent from a domain and enable organizations to monitor their domain usage in email communications and take action to protect it." - Mimecast
For those managing multiple domains, tools like Mailforge can simplify testing by automating DNS checks and monitoring. This ensures consistent authentication without the hassle of manual testing.
Combining automated tools with manual testing is the best way to ensure your email authentication setup is both accurate and effective. While online tools catch most configuration errors, sending test emails provides a more complete picture of how your setup performs in real-world scenarios. Once testing is complete, address any issues to maintain a secure and reliable email system.
Even with thorough testing, email authentication records can sometimes run into trouble. Knowing how to tackle these common issues is key to keeping your email system secure and reliable.
One of the most frequent challenges involves SPF records. A common issue occurs when the 10 DNS lookup limit is exceeded, causing SPF validation to fail. This often happens when an SPF record includes too many mechanisms requiring DNS queries, like multiple "include" statements or "redirect" modifiers. To fix this, streamline your SPF records by grouping IP addresses into CIDR blocks (e.g., "ip4:192.168.1.0/24" instead of listing individual IPs) and ensure the record only includes legitimate mail servers, removing outdated entries.
Email forwarding can also disrupt SPF checks if the forwarding server's IP isn’t listed in the SPF record. In these cases, DKIM can provide the necessary validation.
DKIM issues often arise from syntax errors or mismatched selectors. Double-check your DNS settings and confirm that your email service is properly signing outgoing messages.
DMARC alignment failures are another common hurdle, often impacting email deliverability. These failures occur when the domains used in SPF or DKIM authentication don’t match the domain in the "From" header. To address this, make sure the domain in the DKIM "d=" tag and the domain used for SPF verification both align with the "From" domain. Additionally, subdomains often lack proper DMARC, SPF, and DKIM records, so it’s important to configure these for any subdomain that sends email.
Using DMARC reports and external analysis tools can help you identify legitimate senders and whitelist them while blocking unauthorized sources.
When transitioning to stricter DMARC policies, a gradual approach can help avoid blocking legitimate emails. Start with a "none" policy, then move to "quarantine", and finally to "reject" as your configurations become more robust. This phased strategy allows you to identify and fix issues along the way.
| Common DMARC Issue | How to Fix It |
|---|---|
| No DMARC record found | Add a policy as a TXT record in your domain's DNS configuration. |
| Invalid DMARC policy | Check your policy syntax and resolve any formatting errors. |
| DMARC alignment failure | Ensure SPF or DKIM domains match the "From" header domain, and implement both SPF and DKIM. |
These adjustments can help smooth out authentication issues as your email system grows.
Scaling email outreach often means managing DNS records across multiple domains - a task that can quickly become overwhelming. That’s where Mailforge steps in to simplify the process.
Manually updating DNS records for numerous domains is not only tedious but also prone to errors. Mailforge offers automation and bulk update features that allow you to manage hundreds or even thousands of domains at once, saving time and reducing mistakes.
One standout feature is the ability to perform bulk DNS updates. Instead of updating each domain individually, you can apply changes across multiple domains with just a few clicks. This is especially useful when rolling out security updates or adjusting authentication policies across a large domain portfolio.
Here’s what one user had to say about Mailforge:
"Procedures that usually took hours (setting DKIM, SPF, etc. records) for multiple domains, now take a few minutes. Mailforge is also cost-efficient since you spend per mailbox ~3 times less than with Gmail."
Mailforge’s intuitive interface makes it accessible even for those without technical expertise, enabling marketing teams to handle email infrastructure without relying on IT specialists. This not only speeds up processes but also empowers teams to act independently.
On top of that, Mailforge is budget-friendly. For instance, its Mailbox Slots plan starts at $13 per mailbox per month (billed annually), offering significant savings compared to manual DNS management.
The platform also monitors and updates DNS configurations automatically, minimizing the risk of authentication failures that could hurt deliverability.
For organizations expanding their email operations, Mailforge’s ability to set up email infrastructure up to 100 times faster than traditional methods is a game-changer. This speed is critical for launching campaigns or entering new markets without delay.
Using the right testing tool can significantly boost the reliability of your email authentication efforts. The tool you choose should align with your technical expertise, the number of domains you manage, and your budget. Below is a breakdown of some popular tools designed for comprehensive testing.
MXToolbox is a straightforward option for testing SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records. Its user-friendly interface is great for quick diagnostics, but it primarily focuses on basic record validation.
Red Sift Investigate offers dynamic checks for DMARC, DKIM, SPF, FCrDNS, TLS, BIMI, and MTA-STS. This free tool requires a test email to perform its validations, making it a solid choice for quick, multi-protocol assessments.
For businesses handling multiple domains, specialized platforms provide more in-depth reporting and analysis. MailerCheck combines DMARC report analysis with email verification, content analysis, and blocklist monitoring. It also offers a free tier for managing one domain.
Dmarcian is ideal for those with advanced technical skills. It provides detailed reporting and multiple data views, though its complexity might be overwhelming for beginners.
DMARCLY strikes a balance between depth and usability. It simplifies complex DMARC reports into visual data, making it easier to interpret. The platform also includes tools for checking and generating SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records, along with email reporting capabilities.
| Tool | Best For | Key Features | Starting Price | Free Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Sift Investigate | Quick validation | Dynamic checks, multi-protocol support, actionable recommendations | Free | Yes – full features |
| MailerCheck | Complete deliverability | DMARC analysis, email verification, blocklist monitoring | US$125/month (up to 10 domains) | Yes – 1 domain |
| Dmarcian | DMARC experts | Extensive data views, detailed reporting | US$24/month (2 domains) | Yes – 2 domains, 10K messages |
| DMARCLY | Intermediate users | Visual reports, record generators/checkers | US$17.99/month (2 domains) | Limited |
| EasyDMARC | Comprehensive reporting | Visual reports, hosted DMARC and BIMI | US$39.99/month (2 domains) | Yes – 1 domain, 10K messages |
| DMARC Report | Small businesses | Clear interface, simple reporting | US$100/month (25 domains) | Yes – 1 domain, 10K messages |
When choosing a testing tool, your technical expertise should guide your decision. Beginners may benefit from simpler tools, while advanced users might prefer platforms offering granular analytics and control. Dynamic checking tools, such as Red Sift Investigate, often deliver more accurate results than static domain-based evaluations.
For organizations managing numerous domains, pricing models are crucial. Some tools charge based on domain count, others on email volume, or a mix of both. For example, DMARC Report caters to small businesses with a plan covering 25 domains for US$100 per month.
Additionally, privacy features are worth considering. Some platforms provide forensic reporting to analyze emails that fail authentication, enhancing overall email security. Tools with built-in wizards for SPF, DKIM, and DMARC setup can also save time, especially when scaling email operations across multiple domains and subdomains. These features ensure your email authentication remains strong and efficient.
Regularly testing your SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records is a must for safeguarding your business and ensuring your emails land where they’re supposed to. With phishing responsible for over 80% of cyberattacks, it’s clear that solid email authentication practices are more than just a best practice - they’re a necessity. Ongoing testing is the cornerstone of a secure and reliable email system.
But it’s not just about security. Consistent monitoring has a direct impact on email deliverability. Many businesses miss out on the full potential of their authentication setup due to configuration errors or by staying in "monitor" mode for too long.
For organizations with multiple domains, tools like Mailforge simplify this process. By automating DNS setup and offering infrastructure that’s 100× faster than traditional methods, Mailforge ensures efficient and secure email management. Users have also reported significant cost savings, spending about three times less per mailbox compared to Gmail, all while maintaining proper authentication protocols.
"Procedures that usually took hours (setting DKIM, SPF, etc. records) for multiple domains, now take a few minutes. Mailforge is also cost-efficient since you spend per mailbox ~3 times less than with Gmail." - Karlo Binda, Founder Leadsnack.co
Automation tools like this not only simplify the process but also help scale your email outreach securely, reinforcing the importance of robust authentication practices.
Start by implementing a "monitor" mode DMARC policy to gather data and fine-tune your configuration. As you gain confidence, move toward stricter policies to strengthen your defenses. Regular testing ensures your email authentication evolves with your business, protecting your reputation and keeping your recipients’ inboxes safe.
Even domains that don’t send emails need DMARC records to block spammers from exploiting your domain. As outlined above, consistent testing doesn’t just shield your domain - it supports the success of your email campaigns. This proactive approach to email authentication lays the groundwork for secure, reliable communication as your business grows.
To make sure your SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records are set up correctly, it's a good idea to use trusted email authentication testing tools. These tools can check your DNS records, spot any errors, and confirm that your email authentication protocols are working as they should.
Regularly testing these records is key to keeping your email deliverability strong and safeguarding your domain against spoofing or phishing attacks. Anytime you make changes to your email infrastructure or sending practices, take a moment to recheck your configuration to prevent potential problems.
If your business manages multiple domains and mailboxes, platforms like Mailforge can make things easier. They offer automated DNS setup and tools to help maintain optimal deliverability across all your email systems.
When it comes to email authentication, several common problems can undermine the effectiveness of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records:
To address these challenges, confirm that SPF and DKIM records align with your "From" domain, enforce DMARC policies on subdomains, and carefully review your DMARC record for formatting accuracy. Tools like MX or DNS validators are helpful for verifying your setup. Additionally, regularly analyzing DMARC reports can reveal ongoing issues, ensuring your email deliverability and security remain strong.
Mailforge takes the hassle out of managing SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records by automating the entire setup process. This not only saves you time but also minimizes the risk of human error. By ensuring these authentication protocols are applied consistently across all your domains, Mailforge boosts both email security and deliverability.
Whether you're managing a handful of domains or thousands, Mailforge makes it easy. Its automated DNS configuration and centralized management tools streamline your email infrastructure, allowing businesses to improve inbox placement rates and run more effective email campaigns with minimal effort.