DomainKeys Identified Mail, or DKIM, is a method for checking the authenticity of an email message by using an electronic signature. When DomainKeys Identified Mail is enabled for a certain domain, a public key is published to the global DNS system and a private one is kept on the mail server. When a new message is sent, a signature is issued using the private key and when the email is delivered, the signature is validated by the incoming POP3/IMAP server using the public key. Thus, the receiver can easily discern if the email message is authentic or if the sender’s email address has been forged. A discrepancy will appear if the content of the email has been edited on its way as well, so DomainKeys Identified Mail can also be used to make sure that the sent and the received messages are identical and that nothing has been added or erased. This validation system will increase your email safety, as you can verify the genuineness of the important emails that you get and your associates can do likewise with the emails that you send them. Depending on the given email service provider’s policies, a message that fails to pass the examination may be removed or may show up in the recipient’s inbox with a warning symbol.
