Using SPF, DKIM, DMARC, DNSSEC, DANE, and MTA-STS can collectively help prevent phishing attacks by improving email security and protecting DNS infrastructure. Here's how each of these technologies contributes to phishing prevention:
- SPF (Sender Policy Framework): SPF allows domain owners to specify which mail servers are authorized to send emails on their behalf. By publishing SPF records in their DNS settings, domain owners can help email servers verify that incoming emails claiming to be from their domain are sent from authorized sources. SPF helps prevent phishing by reducing the chances of malicious actors sending emails with forged sender addresses.
- DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail): DKIM adds an additional layer of email authentication by digitally signing email messages. The receiving mail server can then verify the DKIM signature to ensure that the message hasn't been tampered with in transit and that it genuinely originates from the claimed sender domain. DKIM helps in preventing phishing by increasing email message integrity and authenticity.
- DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance): DMARC helps prevent phishing by allowing domain owners to specify how their emails should be authenticated and handled by receiving mail servers. When DMARC is implemented, email recipients can verify that incoming messages from a particular domain are legitimate and not spoofed. If a message fails DMARC checks, it can be rejected, quarantined, or marked as suspicious, reducing the likelihood of phishing emails reaching the inbox.
- DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions): DNSSEC enhances the security of the Domain Name System (DNS) by digitally signing DNS records. This prevents DNS spoofing and cache poisoning attacks, which can be used in phishing schemes. By ensuring the integrity of DNS data, DNSSEC helps users trust that the websites they visit and the email servers they communicate with are legitimate.
- DANE (DNS-Based Authentication of Named Entities): DANE is primarily used to improve the security of TLS (Transport Layer Security) by associating digital certificates with domain names through DNS. While DANE is more commonly associated with securing web connections, it can also enhance email security by ensuring that encrypted email communication uses valid and trusted certificates. This reduces the risk of man-in-the-middle attacks often used in phishing scenarios.
- MTA-STS (Mail Transfer Agent Strict Transport Security): MTA-STS enforces secure, encrypted connections for email transmission, reducing the risk of man-in-the-middle attacks and ensuring email data
We can give you a full report on your website and Email security to see how secure they are and explain what needs to be done to make them more secure.