DMARC reporting’s three-step checklist
DMARC reports maximize the efficiency of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC by helping you with invaluable and actionable insights. Many case studies have also shown that organizations implementing DMARC with active reporting experienced an 80-90% reduction in successful phishing attacks over time. The reporting enabled quick identification and blocking of fraudulent email sources.
This blog explains the DMARC reporting process, a three-step checklist, for those who are about to start leveraging the benefits of forensic and aggregate reports.
DMARC reporting steps
1. Access
To start receiving DMARC reports, you, as the domain owner, have to generate and publish a DMARC record with one of the policies to which you want to subject all unauthorized emails. The DMARC record has to be published in your domain’s DNS so that recipients’ servers can retrieve them to see which DMARC policy you have applied.
It’s the same DMARC record where you have to mention the email addresses where you wish to receive the reports. Please note that it isn’t mandatory to receive these reports on the email addresses within the domain for which you have created and published the DMARC record. This process is done through external domain verification.
2. Differentiate
DMARC reports are divided into two categories: Aggregate (RUA) Reports and Forensic (RUF) Reports. It’s important for new users to grasp the distinction between the two so that you interpret the data and leverage it properly to ward off the unauthorized use of your domain for sending emails.
Aggregate (RUA) reports
These reports offer a broad overview of email authentication data gathered from various sources. They provide a summary of email traffic, showing the number of emails sent, the domains involved, and the authentication status of each email. Typically delivered daily or weekly, Aggregate Reports are instrumental in tracking email authentication trends and pinpointing potential issues.
Forensic (RUF) reports
Forensic Reports deliver in-depth details about individual emails that fail DMARC authentication. They include information such as email headers, content, and authentication results. These reports are usually sent in real-time or near real-time and are crucial for incident investigation and response.
3. Analyze
Once you receive the reports, you need to evaluate them;
Evaluating aggregate reports
Since DMARC relies on SPF and DKIM, check if the domain used in the email’s ‘From’ header matches the sender’s domain, ensuring the email’s legitimacy. Monitoring how recipient servers handle emails that fail DMARC authentication helps confirm whether your DMARC policy is being enforced as intended.
Evaluating forensic reports
To assess potential email security issues, start by checking for failed SPF or DKIM results, which may signal spoofing, interception, or configuration problems. Review email headers to trace the source IP addresses and routing paths, noting any changes during transit. Inspect attachments and embedded links for suspicious or harmful content. Additionally, identify the IP addresses or servers sending emails on behalf of your domain and watch for any unauthorized or unusual sources, especially from regions where your business does not operate.
DMARCReport is your ally
We at DMARCReport help brands prevent email impersonation and maintain brand trust and reputation. Get in touch with us today to forget your DMARC reporting woes.
