DMARC Report Analysis: A Step-By-Step Guide To
Enhancing Email Deliverability


Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance (DMARC) serves as an effective defense against email spoofing and phishing attacks. This mechanism enables domain owners to safeguard their domains from misuse, guaranteeing that only authentic emails reach their intended recipients. While setting up DMARC is essential, it is also vital to examine the reports produced by DMARC to enhance and sustain email deliverability.


What Are DMARC Reports?


DMARC reports offer comprehensive insights into the management of your domain's emails by recipient servers. Typically, these reports are sent to the email addresses specified in your DMARC policy and come in two forms:

Aggregate Reports (RUA) present information like the IP addresses of the servers that send emails, outcomes of SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) validations, as well as the responses from receiving servers, which may include actions like acceptance, rejection, or quarantine.

Forensic Reports (RUF) provide in-depth information and are created when an email does not pass DMARC validation. They contain the headers of the original message, aiding in the investigation of particular problems.





Step-by-Step Guide to Analyzing DMARC Reports


Step 1: Collecting DMARC Reports

To analyze DMARC reports, it is essential first to confirm that you are actually receiving them. During the configuration of your DMARC policy, you should designate the email addresses that will receive these reports. It is advisable to utilize specialized inboxes or external services for the collection and management of these reports.


Step 2: Parsing DMARC Reports

DMARC reports are produced in XML format, making them challenging to interpret by hand. To make sense of these XML files, you'll need to convert them into a more user-friendly format. There are various tools and platforms available that can assist with this process, turning the raw data into easily digestible tables, graphs, or even visual dashboards.


Step 3: Identifying Sending Sources

After you have analyzed the reports, the subsequent task is to pinpoint the IP addresses that are dispatching emails for your domain. Be vigilant about:


  • Recognized IP Addresses: Verify that all authorized IP addresses are included and successfully passing authentication verification.

  • Unrecognized IPs: Look into any unfamiliar IP addresses to assess whether they are unauthorized or if there might be an issue with your DNS settings.

Step 4: Reviewing SPF and DKIM Results

DMARC is built upon two foundational technologies: SPF and DKIM. Examining the outcomes from these technologies is essential for grasping how your emails are verified.


  • SPF Evaluation: Verify if the IP addresses used for sending emails are included in your SPF record. A match means the SPF verification will succeed. Conversely, if they are absent, the SPF verification will fail, suggesting a potential problem with your SPF configuration or an unapproved sender.

  • DKIM Outcomes: Verify that your emails are correctly signed using DKIM. If you find that DKIM signatures are absent or inaccurate, look into the issue, as this can greatly affect the success of your email delivery.

Step 5: Adjusting Your DMARC Policy

  • Revising the Policy: If you identify any unauthorized email sources, think about transitioning from a p none policy to a stricter option like p quarantine or p reject. This adjustment will aid in stopping fraudulent emails from being delivered to recipients.

  • Addressing Authentication Problems: Should valid emails not pass authentication tests, look into and correct any errors in your SPF, DKIM, or DMARC configurations.

Step 6: Ongoing Monitoring and Iteration

DMARC isn't just a one-off configuration; it necessitates continuous oversight and modification. Consistently examine your DMARC reports to maintain the security of your domain and enhance your email deliverability. As alterations occur in your email landscape, be ready to revise your policies and settings as needed.





Advanced Techniques for DMARC Report Analysis


Using Third-Party DMARC Analysis Tools

Employing external DMARC analysis tools can simplify this procedure by:


  • Streamlining Report Analysis: These tools effortlessly analyze DMARC reports and display the information in user-friendly formats.

  • Offering Graphical Dashboards: Numerous tools provide dashboards that enable you to display your DMARC information visually, simplifying the process of identifying trends and problems.

  • Notifications and Alerts: Certain tools are capable of sending notifications when they identify unusual patterns or possible risks in your DMARC reports. Explore details with one click.

Integrating DMARC Data with Other Email Metrics

For a comprehensive understanding of your email effectiveness, think about combining DMARC information with additional email statistics like open rates, bounce rates, and spam complaints. This approach can offer valuable insights into how authentication problems are influencing your overall email delivery success.