Email Security: Why SPF, DKIM, and DMARC Matter for Deliverability

Email continues to be a favorite attack vector for cybercriminals. Despite its widespread use, many people still overlook the security of their email systems, leaving them vulnerable to various threats.

This blog post will explore the critical components of email delivery, common attack vectors in the email ecosystem, and the vital role of protection mechanisms such as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.

The process of email delivery is governed by several components, including:

Mail User Agent (MUA) → Receives, stores, and sends email messages
Mail Transfer Agent (MTA) → Routes and forwards mail messages
MX record of DNS Server→ Specifies the mail server responsible for accepting email on behalf of a domain
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol → Defines how email should be sent and transmitted across networks
Domain Name System (DNS)→ Maps IP addresses to user-friendly addresses, like example.com.

Sending an email may seem simple, but behind the scenes, a complex process takes place to ensure your message…