Imagine sending a sealed letter with a seal that guarantees its authenticity and integrity from sender to recipient. That’s precisely what DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) does for your emails. By attaching a digital signature to your messages, DKIM ensures that they remain untampered and verified, reinforcing trust and security in your business communications. In this article, we'll explore what DKIM is and how you can implement it to safeguard your emails effectively.
DKIM acts like a tamper-evident seal on your emails. It attaches a unique digital signature to the header of each email. When the email reaches its recipient, the receiving server uses this signature to verify that the email was indeed sent from your domain and hasn’t been altered during transit. This verification process ensures that your emails are both authentic and intact, bolstering the security and trustworthiness of your communications.
DKIM uses a pair of digital keys, similar to a padlock and its combination. The first part of the digital key is the public key, which acts like the padlock on a door that everyone can see and use to verify the lock. The second part of the digital key is the private key, which acts as the combination needed to open the lock. Much like a lock’s combination, the private key is kept secret and stored securely on your email system. This ensures that only authorized emails are signed.
There are three main parts to DKIM:
Implementing DKIM is a fairly straightforward process. However, it varies depending on what email system or email filtering service you are using. Configuring DKIM for every mail system is outside the scope of this article. Get in touch with us if you need assistance with your specific email system.
selector1._domainkeyv=DKIM1; k=rsa; p=MIIBIjANBgkqhkiG9w0BAQEFAAOC...selector2._domainkeyv=DKIM1; k=rsa; p=MIIBIjANBgkqhkiG9w0BAQEFAAOC...New DKIM records usually start working 5-10 minutes after publishing. If you are using M365 and cannot get the Selector2 record to appear, try rotating your DKIM keys in the M365 Defender portal; this will typically resolve the issue. Changes to existing DKIM records can take up to 48 hours to propagate.
Managing DKIM keys can be daunting, especially when it comes to rotating keys regularly to maintain security. Additionally, configuring DKIM varies depending on your email service provider, which can add to the complexity. You might encounter difficulties ensuring that all your email sources are properly aligned with your DKIM setup, especially if you use multiple third-party services.
However, these challenges are manageable with some best practices. Regularly updating your DKIM keys is crucial to maintaining their security, much like changing passwords periodically. We recommend that you rotate your DKIM keys every 6 to 12 months. It's also important to test your DKIM configuration periodically using tools like MXToolbox to catch any issues early.
Combining DKIM with other email authentication protocols like SPF and DMARC provides a comprehensive security strategy, significantly enhancing the protection of your communications. Think of it as maintaining a high-tech security system that, with a little regular upkeep, keeps your digital communications fortress secure.
Take control of your email security today by implementing DKIM. Protect your communications from tampering and build trust with your recipients. If you need assistance with setting up DKIM or have any questions, our IT experts offer a free consultation to help you get started. Contact us to ensure your emails are authenticated and secure, and take the first step toward a more secure digital presence. Don’t wait—strengthen your email security now with a free consultation!