How does DKIM compare to SPF and DMARC?

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Imagine a thriving Internet technology company that exchanges a large amount of emails with partners and customers around the world every day, including important information such as technical solutions and business secrets. After enabling DKIM, every email sent from the headquarters carries an accurate signature, and the overseas customer's receiving server strictly verifies according to standard procedures, ensuring that every communication is based on real, untampered information, allowing business cooperation to advance in a safe environment.

SPF (Sender Policy Framework): SPF is like a diligent "gatekeeper" that focuses on the legitimacy of the IP address of the mail sending server. The sender lists the authorized sending server IP range in detail in the pakistan telegram number database DNS record of the domain name. When receiving the mail, the recipient's mail server will immediately check whether the source IP of the mail is on the "permitted list". If it is not, the mail may be ruthlessly rejected. Different from DKIM, which focuses on the content of the mail and the authenticity of the domain name, SPF focuses on source control and expands the territory for mail security from the perspective of the sending IP. The two work side by side to support mail security.

DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance): DMARC is like the "commander-in-chief" of the email security battlefield. It stands at a higher strategic level, cleverly integrating the dual verification results of DKIM and SPF, and decisively directs the recipient to take subsequent actions on the email, such as releasing, isolating or rejecting it, based on pre-set strategies. At the same time, it also foresightedly feedbacks detailed verification reports to senders, helping senders to continuously optimize their email security layout.

In comparison, DKIM, as a cornerstone, provides basic content authentication guarantees, while DMARC, relying on its ability to coordinate and make accurate decisions based on the "intelligence" feedback from DKIM and SPF, comprehensively strengthens the stability of the email security ecosystem.