View source for Configure-DKIM,SPF,DMARC-to-protect-against-spoofing

<big>Email Authentications prevent the email from going into the spam folder of recipients. cPanel uses DKIM and SPF to reduce the amount of spam mails. Enabling these features will prevent spammers from forging messages that claims to be coming from your domain.</big>

<big>DKIM</big>

<big>Domain Key Identification Mechanism (DKIM) verifies your incoming emails to check whether they are same as they were before when they were sent. This means, if they are altered during the transit. It also checks whether they are from the same address, whom they claim to be. This feature prevents incoming spam emails.</big>

<big>When DKIM is enabled, the sender signs the email with a digital signature using a private key. When the email approaches the recipient, it retrieves the public key of its sender and checks if the signature matches. If the signature is invalid, then message is treated as a spam message.</big>

<big>Enabling DKIM</big>

<big>To enable DKIM follow these steps −</big>

<big>'''Step 1''' − Open Email Authentication by clicking Authentication found under Mail Section of cPanel Home.</big>

[[File:Ath1.png|center|thumb|600x600px]]


<big>'''Step 2''' − Find DKIM settings, if disabled then, click '''Enable''' button to Enable DKIM.</big>


[[File:Auth2.png|center|thumb|600x600px]]


<big>Disable DKIM</big>

<big>To disable DKIM follow these steps −</big>

<big>'''Step 1''' − Open Email Authentication by clicking Authentication found under Mail Section of cPanel Home.</big>

<big>'''Step 2''' − Find DKIM setting, if enabled, then click '''Disable''' button to Disable DKIM.</big>

[[File:Auth3.png|center|thumb|600x600px]]


<big>'''''Note''''' ''− To Enable DKIM, your Nameservers must point to your hosting. It is recommended that you use DKIM Authentication in your hosting.''</big>

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<big>SPF</big>

<big>Sender Policy Framework (SPF) helps in preventing outgoing messages to spams. This helps to prevent spammers in creating a message that looks like it is originated through your domain. SPF uses TXT type DNS resource records, which specify the hosts that send emails through your domain.</big>

<big>Enable SPF</big>

<big>To enable SPF, follow these steps −</big>

<big>'''Step 1''' − Open Email Authentication by clicking Authentication found under Mail Section of cPanel Home.</big>

<big>'''Step 2''' − Find SPF setting, if disabled, then click '''Enable''' button to Enable SPF.</big>

<big>Disable SPF</big>

<big>To disable SPF, follow these steps −</big>

<big>'''Step 1''' − Open Email '''Authentication''' by clicking Authentication found under Mail Section of cPanel Home.</big>

<big>'''Step 2''' − Find SPF setting, if enabled, then click '''Disable''' button to disable SPF.</big>  

'''<big>DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance)</big>'''

<big>DMARC builds upon SPF and DKIM by:</big>

# <big>Providing     clear policies for handling authentication failures</big>
# <big>Enabling     domain owners to receive detailed feedback reports about email     authentication</big>
# <big>Creating     alignment between the various sender identities in an email</big>
# <big>Allowing     for progressive implementation through graduated enforcement policies</big>

'''<big>How DMARC Works</big>'''

<big>DMARC operates through a DNS TXT record that instructs receiving mail servers how to handle emails that fail authentication. The process works as follows:</big>

# <big>The     sending domain publishes a DMARC policy in its DNS records</big>
# <big>When     an email arrives, the receiving server checks for SPF and DKIM     authentication</big>
# <big>The     receiving server verifies "alignment" between the authenticated     domain and the visible From: domain</big>
# <big>Based     on the published DMARC policy, the receiver takes appropriate action     (none, quarantine, or reject)</big>
# <big>The     receiver generates reports and sends them back to the address specified in     the DMARC record</big>

'''<big>DMARC Policies</big>'''

<big>DMARC offers three policy options of increasing strictness:</big>

* <big>'''p=none''':     Monitor mode that requests reports but takes no action against failing     messages</big>
* <big>'''p=quarantine''':     Suggests that failing messages should be placed in spam or junk folders</big>
* <big>'''p=reject''':     Instructs receivers to block failing messages entirely</big>

'''<big>Implementing DMARC: A Step-by-Step Approach</big>'''

'''<big>1. Assessment and Planning</big>'''

* <big>Identify     all legitimate sources of email from your domain</big>
* <big>Map     out your email infrastructure</big>
* <big>Determine     which third parties send email on your behalf</big>
* <big>Set     goals and timelines for DMARC implementation</big>

'''<big>2. Implement SPF</big>'''

* <big>Create     an SPF record listing all authorized sending servers</big>
* <big>Publish     the SPF record in your DNS</big>
* <big>Test     to ensure legitimate emails are passing</big>
* <big>Example     SPF record: v=spf1 ip4:192.0.2.0/24 include:_spf.example.com -all</big>

'''<big>3. Implement DKIM</big>'''

* <big>Generate     DKIM key pairs</big>
* <big>Configure     your mail servers to sign outgoing messages</big>
* <big>Publish     your DKIM public keys in DNS</big>
* <big>Verify     signatures are being applied correctly</big>

'''<big>4. Deploy DMARC in Monitoring Mode</big>'''

* <big>Start     with a "p=none" policy to gather data without affecting mail     flow</big>
* <big>Publish     a basic DMARC record: v=DMARC1; p=none;     rua=<nowiki>mailto:dmarc-reports@example.com</nowiki></big>
* <big>Analyze     the resulting reports to identify legitimate sources that may be failing     authentication</big>

'''<big>5. Coordinate with Third-Party Senders</big>'''

* <big>Share     your DMARC implementation plans with authorized third parties</big>
* <big>Help     them configure proper authentication for your domain</big>
* <big>Consider     implementing subdomain delegation where appropriate</big>

'''<big>6. Gradually Increase Enforcement</big>'''

* <big>Move     to "p=quarantine" with a percentage tag once monitoring shows     minimal false positives</big>
* <big>Example: v=DMARC1;     p=quarantine; pct=25; rua=<nowiki>mailto:dmarc-reports@example.com</nowiki></big>
* <big>Gradually     increase the percentage to 100%</big>

'''<big>7. Move to Full Rejection</big>'''

* <big>Once     confident in your authentication coverage, implement "p=reject"</big>
* <big>Example: v=DMARC1;     p=reject; rua=<nowiki>mailto:dmarc-reports@example.com</nowiki>;     ruf=<nowiki>mailto:forensic@example.com</nowiki></big>
* <big>Continue     monitoring reports for unexpected failures</big>