Setting Up DMARC Reports: Step-By-Step Guide
For Enhanced Email Protection


In today's world, where email plays a vital role in both personal and business communications, protecting your email domains is essential. A highly effective method to defend against phishing attempts and unauthorized access is by utilizing DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance). This guide will provide you with a comprehensive walkthrough on how to establish DMARC reports to bolster your email security.


What is DMARC?


DMARC is a system for validating emails, aimed at identifying and stopping email spoofing. It enables domain owners to set guidelines for managing emails that do not pass authentication tests, thereby safeguarding the domain's reputation and improving the chances of successful email delivery. DMARC operates in conjunction with SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) to confirm the legitimacy of the sender's email.



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Why DMARC Reports Matter


DMARC reports offer valuable information regarding your email traffic, enabling you to track which entities are sending messages on behalf of your domain. By examining these reports, you can detect any unauthorized use of your domain and take appropriate actions to enhance your email security. Furthermore, DMARC reports assist in boosting your email deliverability by ensuring that genuine emails are not incorrectly classified as spam. Check out the DuoCircle for gaining further insight.


Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up DMARC Reports


Step 1: Understand Your Domain's Current Email Authentication

Before configuring DMARC, it's crucial to verify that your domain has SPF and DKIM records established. You can utilize several online tools to confirm the validity of your DNS records. If you haven’t implemented SPF and DKIM yet, make sure to do so, as they are necessary for DMARC implementation.


Step 2: Create Your DMARC Record

A DMARC record is a type of DNS entry that outlines your approach for managing emails that do not pass authentication tests. Here’s the process to set one up:

  • Open Your DNS Management Dashboard: Sign into the control panel of your domain registrar or DNS hosting service. 

  • Create a New TXT Record: Set up a new TXT record for your domain using this format:

    • _dmarc.yourdomain.com IN TXT "v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:your-email@yourdomain.com; ruf=mailto:your-email@yourdomain.com; pct=100"

    • v=DMARC1: Indicates the version of DMARC being used. 

    • p=none: This setting allows you to observe email traffic without implementing any strict measures. You have the option to adjust this to quarantine or reject later, depending on your observations. 

    • rua: This is the email address designated for receiving aggregate reports. 

    • Ruf: This is the email address used to receive forensic reports. 

    • pct: This specifies the proportion of emails that will be affected by the DMARC policy.

  • Preserve the Record: Ensure that you store your modifications in the DNS management interface. Keep in mind that it might take a while for the updates to take effect.

Step 3: Monitor Your DMARC Reports

After your DMARC record is activated, you'll begin to receive reports sent to the email addresses listed in the rua and ruf tags. These reports, delivered in XML format, offer insights into the handling of your emails.

  • Aggregate Reports: These documents compile the authentication outcomes for every email dispatched from your domain, offering a view into both valid and illegitimate senders. 

  • Forensic Reports: These reports are generated instantly when an email does not pass DMARC verification, supplying you with comprehensive details regarding the failure.

Step 4: Analyze the Reports

Consistently examining DMARC reports is essential. Pay attention to trends within the reports to spot any unapproved senders and evaluate genuine traffic. Utilizing DMARC report analysis tools can streamline this task, allowing for clearer data visualization and better comprehension of the results.



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Step 5: Adjust Your DMARC Policy

According to your assessment, you have the option to modify your DMARC policy. Initially set it to p none to observe the email traffic. After gathering enough information, you might want to switch it to quarantine or reject for a more rigorous approach to managing emails that do not pass authentication tests.

  • Quarantine: This approach directs potentially harmful emails to the spam folder. 

  • Reject: This method completely denies any email that does not pass DMARC verification.

Step 6: Maintain and Update

Implementing DMARC is not a task that can be completed once and forgotten. It demands regular upkeep. Keep an eye on your reports consistently, make necessary updates to your SPF and DKIM records, and modify your DMARC policy to align with any alterations in how you send emails.