As you know, today, phishing attacks, email spoofing, and other email-based threats can have serious consequences ranging from financial losses to reputational damage. Businesses use various email security protocols to combat these threats – and one of the most effective is DMARC. DMARC stands for Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance. However, setting up DMARC is just the first step – analyzing DMARC reports is another thing. It is crucial to make the most of DMARC. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about DMARC reports – what they are, their importance, and how to read them. So, are you ready? Let’s start with a basic introduction to the subject.
Table of Contents
What is DMARC?
DMARC is an email authentication protocol that enables domain owners to protect their domain from unauthorized use, particularly from email spoofing attacks. DMARC works with two other email authentication protocols – SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail). All of these make sure that emails sent from your domain are legitimate. When properly configured, DMARC allows you to set policies for handling suspicious emails (e.g., reject, quarantine, or monitor them) and provides reports that offer insights into how your domain is being used across the internet. And we will learn how to read those reports today.
The Importance of DMARC Reports
DMARC reports are critical because they offer visibility into your email ecosystem. They help you understand how your domain is used – whether legitimate or fraudulent emails are being sent on your behalf, and how effective your DMARC policy is. These reports can highlight potential issues with your email authentication setup, such as misconfigured SPF or DKIM records, and provide the data you need to take corrective action.
By regularly reviewing DMARC reports, you can:
- Identify & block phishing attacks.
- Improve your email deliverability.
- Ensure compliance with your DMARC policy.
- Protect your brand’s reputation.
Types of DMARC Reports
DMARC generates two types of reports: Aggregate reports and Forensic reports. Each serves a distinct purpose and offers different information.
Aggregate Reports (RUA)
Aggregate reports, or RUA reports (Reporting URI for Aggregate data) – provide a high-level overview of your domain’s email traffic. These reports include information about the IP addresses that sent emails on behalf of your domain, the DMARC policy applied to these emails, and whether they passed or failed SPF and DKIM checks.
Primary Components of an Aggregate Report
Source IP
The IP address that sent the email.
Count
The number of emails sent from this IP address.
Disposition
The DMARC policy applied (e.g., none, quarantine, or reject).
DKIM & SPF alignment
Whether the emails passed or failed DKIM and SPF checks.
Aggregate reports are usually sent daily and can be in XML format, which might require parsing tools to make sense of the data. They are invaluable for getting a big-picture view of how your domain is being used and whether any unauthorized parties are sending emails on your behalf.
Forensic Reports (RUF)
Forensic reports, or RUF reports (Reporting URI for Forensic data) – provide detailed information about specific email messages that failed DMARC checks. These reports include the full header of the suspicious email – making it possible to see exactly what went wrong.
Primary Components of a Forensic Report
Original email header
The full header of the email that failed DMARC checks.
Timestamp
The time the email was sent.
Authentication results
Details on why the email failed SPF or DKIM checks.
Forensic reports are triggered by specific email failures and are sent in real time. While they offer detailed information, the volume of forensic reports can be overwhelming, especially for large agencies. They are best used with aggregate reports for a better understanding of your domain’s email activity.
How to Read DMARC Reports?
Reading DMARC reports can be challenging at first, especially if you are unfamiliar with the technical terms. However, once you understand the key components, interpreting these reports becomes much easier.
Start with the Aggregate Reports
Begin by reviewing the aggregate reports. Look at the source IP addresses to see who is sending emails on behalf of your domain. Verify that these IP addresses belong to legitimate senders. If you spot any unfamiliar IP addresses, investigate further to find out whether they are malicious.
Next, check the disposition column to see what actions were taken on emails that failed DMARC checks. If you have set your DMARC policy to none – consider switching to quarantine or reject – for better domain security.
Finally, review the DKIM and SPF alignment results. If a large number of emails are failing these checks, it may indicate an issue with your email authentication setup.
Dive into Forensic Reports
Forensic reports provide granular details on specific email failures. You can start by examining the original email headers to understand why the email failed DMARC checks. Common issues include incorrect SPF or DKIM records, or an attacker attempting to spoof your domain.
If you are receiving a high volume of forensic reports, it may indicate a widespread phishing attack or misconfiguration that needs to be addressed immediately.
Interpreting DMARC Report Data
Once you have collected and reviewed your DMARC reports, the next step is to interpret the data to make informed decisions. Here are some common scenarios and how to handle them:
Unauthorized IP Addresses
If you notice emails being sent from IP addresses that don’t belong to your agency, it’s a red flag for email spoofing. In this case, consider updating your SPF record to include only authorized IP addresses, and change your DMARC policy to reject – to block fraudulent emails.
High Volume of DMARC Failures
A high volume of DMARC failures could indicate a misconfiguration in your SPF or DKIM records. Double-check your DNS records to make sure they are correctly set up. It may also be helpful to work with your email service provider to resolve any issues.
Low Email Deliverability
If legitimate emails are being marked as spam or not delivered, it could be due to overly strict DMARC policies. In this case, you may need to adjust your DMARC policy or whitelist certain IP addresses to improve email deliverability.
Best Practices for Managing DMARC Reports
To make the most of your DMARC reports, follow these best practices:
Regular Monitoring
Review your DMARC reports regularly to stay on top of any issues. Daily monitoring is ideal, but at a minimum, aim to review reports weekly.
Use a Parsing Tool
Since DMARC reports are often in XML format, you can use a DMARC report parsing tool to convert the data into a more readable format.
Collaborate with Your IT Team
Work closely with your IT team to make certain that your SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records are correctly configured and updated as needed.
Gradual Policy Enforcement
If you are new to DMARC, start with a “none” policy and gradually move to “quarantine” and “reject” as you gain confidence in your setup.
Bottom Line
DMARC reports are essential for protecting your domain from email-based threats. So, you must learn how to read and interpret these reports. Gain valuable insights into your email ecosystem and take steps to protect your email communication with the help of these reports. Regular monitoring, collaboration with your IT team, and gradual enforcement of DMARC policies will help you maximize the benefits of this powerful email authentication protocol. And if you still need help with DMARC or your email security – connect with Leasepacket. Leasepacket is an expert in email security and hosting-related services.
FAQs
What is a DMARC report?
A DMARC report provides detailed information on how your domain’s emails are being handled by recipient servers – showing whether they pass or fail authentication checks like SPF & DKIM.
Why are DMARC reports important?
DMARC reports are crucial for identifying unauthorized email activities, improving email security, and ensuring your legitimate emails reach their intended recipients.
What is the difference between Aggregate and Forensic DMARC reports?
Aggregate reports give a summary of email authentication results across your domain – while Forensic reports offer detailed information about individual emails that failed DMARC checks.
How do I read a DMARC report?
To read a DMARC report, review the IP addresses sending emails on your behalf, check the DMARC policy applied, and see whether emails passed or failed SPF and DKIM checks.
How often should I review DMARC reports?
It’s best to review DMARC reports daily or at least weekly to stay on top of any potential issues with your domain’s email authentication.
Can DMARC reports help prevent phishing?
Yes! You can identify and block phishing attempts by unauthorized senders and protect your domain from being used in attacks.
What if I need help with DMARC reports?
Connect with Leasepacket. Leasepacket is an expert in email security and hosting-related services.