Getting Started with Email Security

New to email authentication? Start here for a complete overview.

If you're new to email security, this guide will explain what you need to know and give you a clear path to securing your domain. By the end, you'll understand why email authentication matters and have a roadmap for implementation.

Why Email Security Matters

Without proper email authentication, anyone can send emails pretending to be from your domain. This leads to:

  • Phishing attacks — Criminals impersonate your company to steal from customers
  • Brand damage — Your reputation suffers when spoofed emails land in inboxes
  • Deliverability problems — Mailbox providers may flag or block your legitimate emails
  • Compliance issues — Many industries require email authentication

The Three Pillars of Email Authentication

Email authentication is built on three complementary technologies:

1

SPF (Sender Policy Framework)

A DNS record that lists which servers are allowed to send email for your domain. Think of it as a whitelist of authorized senders.

Learn more about SPF →
2

DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)

A cryptographic signature added to your emails that proves they came from your domain and weren't modified in transit.

Learn more about DKIM →
3

DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication)

Ties SPF and DKIM together, telling receivers what to do when authentication fails and sending you reports about who's using your domain.

Learn more about DMARC →

Your Implementation Roadmap

Here's the recommended order for implementing email authentication:

Step 1: Set up SPF

Create an SPF record listing your email services. This is usually quick—just a DNS TXT record.

SPF setup guide →

Step 2: Enable DKIM

Enable DKIM signing in your email provider (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, etc.) and add the DNS records.

Google guide →Microsoft guide →

Step 3: Deploy DMARC in monitor mode

Start with a DMARC policy of "none" to collect reports without affecting email delivery.

DMARC rollout guide →

Step 4: Analyze reports and fix issues

Use DMARC reports to identify unauthorized senders and fix authentication problems.

Understanding reports →

Step 5: Move to enforcement

Gradually move to "quarantine" then "reject" to fully protect your domain from spoofing.

Common Questions

How long does this take?

SPF and DKIM can be set up in an hour. DMARC rollout typically takes 2-4 weeks of monitoring before moving to enforcement.

Do I need technical skills?

You need access to your DNS provider and email admin console. The actual configuration is mostly copy-paste.

Can this break my email?

If done correctly, no. The key is starting DMARC in monitor mode and analyzing reports before enforcement.

What about third-party services?

Services like Mailchimp, SendGrid, or your CRM need to be included in your SPF record and may need DKIM configured.

Check Your Current Status

Before you start implementing, it's helpful to see where your domain stands. Use our free scanner to check your current email security configuration:

Scan My Domain

Next Steps

Ready to get started? Begin with these guides: