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CYBER SNIPPETS: What is DKIM – Does my Small Business have to be DKIM compliant?
By: Iain Fraser – Cybersecurity Journalist
CYBERInsights – The UK Small Business Cybersecurity Network
#CyberInsights #CyberSecurity #CyberAwareness #CyberSafe #SME #SmallBusiness #CyberSnippet

DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM) is an email authentication method that allows recipients to verify that an email was indeed sent by the owner of the domain and that its content hasn’t been altered during transit. It achieves this by adding a unique digital signature to each outgoing email, which is linked to the sender’s domain. When the email reaches its destination, the recipient’s email server uses this signature to confirm the email’s authenticity.
DOMAIN.COM

Why is DKIM Important for Small Businesses?

For small businesses, implementing DKIM offers several key benefits:

Enhanced Email Deliverability: Emails that are authenticated using DKIM are less likely to be marked as spam, ensuring they reach the intended recipients.
DKIM-CHECKER.ORG

Protection Against Phishing and Spoofing: DKIM helps prevent malicious actors from sending emails that appear to come from your domain, thereby protecting your brand’s reputation.
DMARCREPORT.COM

Building Trust with Customers: Authenticated emails signal to customers that your communications are legitimate, fostering trust and credibility.
DKIM-CHECKER.ORG

Steps for Small Businesses to Implement DKIM

Check Your Email Service Provider’s DKIM Support: Most modern email service providers (ESPs) support DKIM. Consult your ESP’s documentation or customer support to understand their DKIM implementation process.

Set Up Email Authentication Keys:
To ensure email authenticity, a unique digital signature is attached to outgoing messages. This process involves using two components: one that securely signs the email before sending and another that is made publicly available in domain settings for verification. Many email service providers offer built-in tools to facilitate this setup.

Update Domain Settings for Verification:
To enable authentication, a special record needs to be added to the domain’s settings. This record allows receiving email servers to verify that messages genuinely originate from the stated sender and have not been altered in transit.

Configure Your Email Server to Sign Outgoing Emails:
Ensure that your email server or ESP is set up to sign all outgoing emails with the private key.

Test Your DKIM Configuration:
Use online tools or services to verify that your DKIM setup is functioning correctly. This step ensures that your emails are being properly authenticated.

By implementing DKIM, Small Businesses can significantly enhance their email security, improve deliverability rates, and maintain the trust of their customers.

GDPR Training & Audits – Your business’s reputation is everything. If you’re not GDPR compliant, there is much more at stake for your company than a fine. Without your reputation and proof that you can offer your clients/customers complete privacy and protection, you could be left out in the cold. Our online course offers you a human approach to training while being informative and easy to follow. We also offer in-house training with Keith, who has been involved in the development of the General Data Protection Regulation with both the UK Information Commissioner’s Office and the Internet Advertising Bureau. As well as training, we are able to run full GDPR audits on your businesses terms and conditions and privacy policies.

CYBER Insights – Helping Keep Small Business CYBERSafe!

Launched in 2020 by Cybersecurity Journalist Iain Fraser and his team at IfOnly… CYBERInsights was developed to be the go-to platform providing definitive, reliable & actionable Cybersecurity News, Intel, Awareness & Training specifically written and curated for Small Business & Enterprise Owners, Partners and Directors throughout the UK. #CyberInsights #CyberSecurity #CyberAttack #CyberAwareness #Compliance #DDoS #Fraud #Ransomware #ScamAlert #SME #SmallBusiness #SmallBusinessOwner #ThreatIntel