A lot of folks have reached out to us lately about email deliverability issues with major providers like Microsoft and Google. Recent changes to email authentication methods make DKIM a must in your email configuration.
A lot of folks have reached out to us lately about email deliverability issues with major providers like Microsoft and Google. Recent changes to email authentication methods make DKIM a must in your email configuration.Let’s start with the obvious question. What is DKIM?
DKIM, short for DomainKeys Identified Mail, is an email authentication method that allows senders to cryptographically sign their outgoing emails. By affixing a digital signature to email messages, DKIM enables email recipients to verify the authenticity of the sender and detect any tampering or alteration of the email content during transit.
When an email sender enables DKIM for their domain, they generate a pair of cryptographic keys: a private key and a public key. The private key is securely stored by the sender and used to generate a unique signature for each outgoing email. This signature, along with a DKIM header, is added to the email’s header information.
Upon receiving the email, the recipient’s email server retrieves the sender’s public key from the sender’s DNS records. Using this public key, the recipient’s server can verify the DKIM signature attached to the email. If the signature is valid and matches the email’s content, the recipient can be confident that the email originated from the claimed sender and has not been altered in transit.
DKIM should be enabled for any source of your outbound emails including your email provider, third-party platforms (CRMs, cloud service integrations, etc.), email managers (Constant Contact, Mailchimp, etc.), and your web server (for contact forms, eCommerce transactions, etc.). The platform should provide a DKIM signature – a code that is inserted into the host records at your domain registrar or DNS provider.
DKIM and email authentication have several key benefits including enhanced email security, reduced spam, and brand trust and reputation. In an era where cyber threats and email fraud are prevalent, DKIM serves as a crucial tool for bolstering email security and trust.
Implementing DKIM is an essential step in ensuring the integrity and security of their email correspondence.
