How to Create a DKIM Record and Provide Secure Email Communication?

DKIM records are very important to increase the security of email communication and prevent fake email attacks. In this guide, we will examine what DKIM is, how to create it, and how to use it to provide secure email communication.

What is DKIM and Why is it Important?

DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) is a technology that provides message authentication in email sending. DKIM uses a cryptographic signature to verify the source of sent emails. This signature is checked by the receiving server to verify whether the email was really sent by the specified domain name.

The importance of DKIM comes from the protection it provides against malicious email attacks such as spam and phishing. By reducing fraudulent emails, it increases the trustworthiness of recipients and protects brand reputation. In addition, DKIM records allow recipient servers to assess the trustworthiness of emails faster.

DKIM Record Creation Steps

Here are the steps you need to follow to create a DKIM record:

1. Domain Selection: First, decide which domain you want to create the DKIM signature for. This is usually the domain your company uses to send emails.
2. DKIM Key Pair Creation: You need a public and a private key to use DKIM. These keys can be generated on your email server or using a third-party DKIM service.
3. Upload the Private Key to Your Email Server: Upload the generated private key to your email server. This key is used to create a signature when sending emails.
4. Add the Public Key to DNS: You need to add the public key as a TXT record in your DNS settings. This record is required for the receiving servers to verify your signature.

Publishing a DKIM Record on DNS

Publishing your DKIM record on DNS is a critical step in ensuring your emails are properly authenticated. Here are the steps to publish a DKIM record on DNS:

1. Set a DKIM Selector: Set a selector for your DKIM record. This is used to identify your DNS record, and if you use multiple DKIM records, you should assign a different selector to each one.
2. Create a TXT Record: Go to your DNS control panel and create a new TXT record. This record is usually named "selector._domainkey.yourcompany.com".
3. Add the Public Key: Add the public key you created to the value section of the TXT record. This key is used by receiving servers to verify your email signature.
4. Publish Records: Save your DNS records and wait for the changes to propagate. This can usually take a few hours.

DKIM Record Validation Methods

You can use some validation methods to make sure your DKIM record is working properly:

• Online DKIM Validation Tools: There are many free DKIM validation tools available on the Internet. These tools check your DNS records to see if your DKIM record is correct.
• Sending Test Emails: You can send test emails to check if your DKIM signature is correct. These emails allow you to check if the DKIM signature is verified by the receiving server.
• Mail Server Logs: You can check your email server logs to check DKIM validation processes. This will help you understand how your DKIM signature is processed by the receiving servers.

Advantages of Using DKIM for Secure Email Communication

There are many advantages of using DKIM in email communication:

• Increased Trustworthiness: DKIM verifies the source of your emails, ensuring that they are perceived as trustworthy by recipients. This increases customer trust.
• Spam and Phishing Protection: The DKIM signature helps detect fraudulent emails, reducing spam and phishing attacks.
• Email Integrity: DKIM ensures that emails are not altered during sending, thus preserving message integrity.
• Brand Reputation Protection: DKIM protects your brand reputation by preventing fraudulent email attacks using your company’s domain name.

Frequently Asked Questions Questions to follow

• Do I have to create a DKIM record? Yes, creating a DKIM record is important for security, especially for corporate email traffic.
• How can I check the DKIM record? You can check your DKIM record using online DKIM verification tools or email server logs.
• How often should DKIM records be updated? It is recommended that you update your keys regularly to ensure the security of your DKIM records, but this frequency usually depends on the needs of the organization.
• Is there a difference between DKIM, SPF, and DMARC? Yes, DKIM, SPF, and DMARC are email authentication methods, but they have different functions. DKIM verifies email signatures, SPF checks email sending authority, and DMARC manages these two technologies.