Setting up a DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) record is crucial for improving email security and deliverability. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to set it up:
Step-by-Step Guide to Set Up a DMARC Record
1.Access Your DNS Management Interface
Log in to your DNS hosting provider’s control panel. This is where your domain's DNS records are managed. This might be your domain registrar, web hosting provider, or a dedicated DNS service.
2.Create a New TXT Record
In the DNS management interface, locate the option to add a new DNS record.
3.Configure the DMARC TXT Record
Choose TXT Record as the type.
Set the name/host to _dmarc.yourdomain.com (replace yourdomain.com with your actual domain name).
In the value/content field, enter your DMARC policy. Below is an example of a DMARC record:
v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc-reports@yourdomain.com; ruf=mailto:dmarc-reports@yourdomain.com; fo=1; sp=none; aspf=r;
Here’s what each part means:
v=DMARC1: This specifies the DMARC version.
p=none: The policy for your domain. Common values are:
none: No specific action, just monitor.
quarantine: Mark emails that fail DMARC as spam.
reject: Reject emails that fail DMARC.
rua=mailto
@yourdomain.com: The email address to which aggregate DMARC reports should be sent.
ruf=mailto
@yourdomain.com: The email address to which forensic DMARC reports should be sent.
fo=1: Forensic options. 1 means a report is generated if any DKIM or SPF check fails.
sp=none: Subdomain policy. Same values as p.
aspf=r: Alignment mode for SPF. r for relaxed, s for strict.
Example DMARC Record
Here is an example DMARC record for a domain with a strict policy:
v=DMARC1; p=reject; rua=mailto:dmarc-reports@yourdomain.com; ruf=mailto:dmarc-reports@yourdomain.com; fo=1; sp=reject; aspf=s;
4.Save the Record
Save the TXT record in your DNS management interface.
5.Verify the DMARC Record
Use MXToolbox to verify that your DMARC record is correctly configured.
Example DNS Management Interface
Here’s how you might input this in a typical DNS management interface:
Type: TXT
Name/Host: _dmarc.yourdomain.com
Value/Content:
v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc-reports@yourdomain.com; ruf=mailto:dmarc-reports@yourdomain.com; fo=1; sp=none; aspf=r;
Monitoring and Adjusting Your Policy
Start with **p=none**: This lets you monitor how your emails are being handled without affecting delivery.
Analyze Reports: Review the reports you receive to understand how your emails are being processed and identify any issues.
Adjust Policy Gradually: Based on the reports, gradually tighten your policy to quarantine and eventually to reject if appropriate.
By following these steps, you can successfully set up a DMARC record for your domain, helping to protect your domain from email spoofing and improving email deliverability.
