DomainKeys Identified Mail, or DKIM, is a system for checking the authenticity of an email message by using a digital signature. When DomainKeys Identified Mail is activated for a specific domain, a public cryptographic key is published to the global Domain Name System and a private one is kept on the mail server. If a new message is sent, a signature is issued using the private key and when the email message is received, the signature is authenticated by the incoming POP3/IMAP server using the public key. Thus, the recipient can easily discern if the message is authentic or if the sender’s address has been forged. A discrepancy will appear if the content of the email has been edited in the meantime as well, so DomainKeys Identified Mail can also be used to make sure that the sent and the received emails are identical and that nothing has been added or removed. This email validation system will enhance your email safety, since you can validate the genuineness of the important email messages that you receive and your partners can do likewise with the email messages that you send them. Depending on the given email service provider’s adopted policies, an email that fails to pass the test may be deleted or may appear in the recipient’s mailbox with a warning symbol.
