DomainKeys Identified Mail, or DKIM, is a method for checking the genuineness of an email using a digital signature. When DKIM is activated for a specific domain name, a public encryption key is published to the global DNS system and a private one is kept on the email server. When a new email message is sent, a signature is generated using the private key and when the email message is received, that signature is validated by the incoming server using the public key. In this way, the receiver can easily tell if the email message is genuine or if the sender’s email address has been spoofed. A discrepancy will occur if the content of the email has been edited on its way as well, so DKIM can also be used to ensure that the sent and the received email messages are identical and that nothing has been attached or removed. This email authentication system will enhance your email safety, since you can validate the genuineness of the important emails that you receive and your partners can do the same with the messages that you send them. Depending on the particular email service provider’s adopted policy, an email message that fails the check may be deleted or may emerge in the recipient’s mailbox with a warning.
