DomainKeys Identified Mail, or DKIM, is a method for validating the authenticity of an email using a digital signature. When DomainKeys Identified Mail is activated for a certain domain name, a public cryptographic key is published to the global DNS system and a private one is kept on the email server. If a new email message is sent, a signature is issued using the private key and when the email is received, the signature is validated by the POP3/IMAP server using the public key. In this way, the recipient can easily discern if the message is legitimate or if the sender’s email address has been spoofed. A discrepancy will occur if the content of the email message has been altered on its way as well, so DomainKeys Identified Mail can also be used to ensure that the sent and the delivered messages are identical and that nothing has been attached or removed. This email authentication system will boost your email safety, as you can validate the legitimacy of the important emails that you receive and your associates can do likewise with the email messages that you send them. Depending on the given email provider’s policies, an email message that fails the check may be deleted or may show up in the recipient’s mailbox with a warning sign.
