DomainKeys Identified Mail, or DKIM, is a method for checking the authenticity of an email using an electronic signature. When DomainKeys Identified Mail is activated for a given domain, a public key is published to the global DNS database and a private one is stored on the mail server. When a new email is sent, a signature is issued using the private key and when the email is delivered, the signature is ‘scanned’ by the incoming mail server using the public key. In this way, the recipient can easily distinguish if the email message is genuine or if the sender’s email address has been spoofed. A discrepancy will appear if the content of the email has been edited in the meantime as well, so DKIM can also be used to make sure that the sent and the received emails are identical and that nothing has been attached or erased. This email authentication system will enhance your email safety, as you can verify the legitimacy of the important email messages that you get and your partners can do the same with the emails that you send them. Based on the given email provider’s policies, a message that fails to pass the examination may be erased or may enter the receiver’s mailbox with a warning.
