DomainKeys Identified Mail, or DKIM, is a method for checking the genuineness of an email message using an e-signature. When DomainKeys Identified Mail is enabled for a specific domain, a public encryption key is published to the global Domain Name System and a private one is stored on the mail server. If a new email is sent, a signature is issued using the private key and when the message is received, the signature is authenticated by the incoming mail server using the public key. In this way, the receiver can easily discern if the email message is authentic or if the sender’s address has been spoofed. A discrepancy will appear if the content of the email has been altered in the meantime as well, so DKIM can also be used to make sure that the sent and the delivered email messages are identical and that nothing has been attached or deleted. This email authentication system will increase your email security, as you can validate the authenticity of the important emails that you get and your associates can do likewise with the emails that you send them. Based on the given email provider’s adopted policies, an email message that fails the check may be removed or may emerge in the recipient’s inbox with a warning alert.
