---
title: "How Often Should You Rotate Your DKIM Keys? | DMARC Report"
description: "DKIM, which is short for DomainKeys Identified Mail, is an email authentication method that supports a receiver’s email server in verifying if the signed."
image: "https://dmarcreport.com/og/blog/how-often-should-you-rotate-your-dkim-keys.png"
canonical: "https://dmarcreport.com/blog/how-often-should-you-rotate-your-dkim-keys/"
---

Quick Answer

DKIM, which is short for DomainKeys Identified Mail, is an email authentication method that supports a receiver’s email server in verifying if the signed fields of an incoming email have been tampered with in transit or not. This phenomenon is performed by matching the public and private keys at the recipient’s end.

Related: [Free DMARC Checker](/tools/dmarc-checker/) 

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![Rotate Your DKIM Keys](https://media.mailhop.org/dmarcreport/images/2023/11/dmarc-record-8716-2.jpg) 

## Try Our Free DKIM Lookup

Auto-discover DKIM selectors for any domain - scan 185 common selectors across all major providers.

[ Discover DKIM Selectors → ](/tools/dkim-lookup/) 

DKIM, which is short for DomainKeys Identified Mail, is an [email authentication](/blog/alternatives-to-dmarclys-blog-section-for-learning-about-email-authentication-and-dmarc/) method that supports a receiver’s **email server** in verifying if the signed fields of an incoming email have been tampered with in transit or not. This phenomenon is performed by matching the public and private keys at the recipient’s end. 

As per M3AAWG or the Messaging, Malware, and Mobile Anti-Abuse Working Group, domain owners and administrators should regularly rotate [DKIM keys](/topic/what-are-dkim-keys/) to minimize the risk of being compromised by [malicious actors](https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/github-distribute-fake-exploits/) for attempting phishing and email spoofing attacks. 

But why is this practice critical, and how can you rotate your DKIM keys? Well, please keep reading as we have answered these and some other vital questions in this article.

## DKIM and DKIM Keys

[DKIM](/dmarc-fundamentals/what-is-dkim/) lets receivers know if a hacker or unauthorized entity altered the content of an email in transit. To begin with, you need to generate a pair of public and [private keys](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public-key%5Fcryptography). The public key is stored in the DNS, and email servers can retrieve it for the **authentication process**. _On the other hand, the private key is secretly stored on the sender’s server and generates appropriate DKIM headers for all outgoing messages_.

There are DKIM keys of various lengths. The lengthier the key, the more complicated it is for spammers to crack it. For example, 512-bit long [RSA keys](https://proprivacy.com/blog/what-is-rsa-key) can be cracked in several hours, while 1024-bit long RSA keys are highly recommended as they are presently at the edge of attack for general-purpose computer systems. UI also warns if the length is less than 1024 bits, as it is considered a vulnerability. 

In fact, in 2012, a [mathematician found that Google was using a 512-bit DKIM key](https://www.wired.com/2012/10/dkim-vulnerability-widespread/), and he was so intrigued by discovering this that he himself sent **spoofed emails** to Google founders- Larry Page and Sergey Brinn. Later, he also noticed the same problem with the DKIM keys used by PayPal, Yahoo, Amazon, eBay, Apple, Dell, LinkedIn, Twitter, SBCGlobal, US Bank, HP, Match.com, and HSBC. 

## What is a DKIM Selector? 

## Why Should You Rotate DKIM Keys Periodically?

_DKIM key rotation is the practice of using a new pair of public and private DKIM keys to sign and **authenticate outgoing messages** and then STOP using old keys._ 

![DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM)](https://media.mailhop.org/dmarcreport/images/2023/11/how-to-create-dmarc-record-7-1.jpg) 

It’s important for organizations to follow this practice for DKIM keys associated with their domains to [prevent phishing attacks](/blog/unlocking-the-power-of-dmarc-shielding-you-and-your-customers-from-phishing-attacks/). If a malicious sender has hacked your keys, then they won’t be able to exploit them for sending spam messages to manipulate recipients for a long time; as soon as you shuffle the keys, they will lose access to them.

### How Often Should Signing Keys Be Rotated?

It’s critically important to have **longer keys**, but their regular rotation shouldn’t be overlooked for safeguarding your DKIM [DNS records](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List%5Fof%5FDNS%5Frecord%5Ftypes) and domains. However, the period of shuffle depends on the complexity of data and your company, the time taken to rotate keys, the perceived value of the **protected email streams**, and the organization’s susceptibility to spoofing and [phishing attacks](https://cryptonews.com/news/bitfinex-customers-targeted-in-phishing-attacks-after-support-agent-hack.htm). 

The [M3AAWG](https://icannwiki.org/MAAWG) suggests domain owners rotate them at least twice a year to minimize the likelihood of compromised keys and operational effort. _This also **institutionalizes** knowledge of key shuffling._

Opting for more frequent rotations, like on a quarterly basis, reduces the risk of key compromise but may be hindered by operational constraints. Conversely, extending the **rotation interval**, such as annually, not only heightens the [risk of key compromise](https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/namecheaps-email-hacked-to-send-metamask-dhl-phishing-emails/) but also diminishes the accrued institutional knowledge’s significance.

## How to Manually Rotate DKIM Keys?

Making the following changes to your **DKIM TXT record** in the following way will stop an unauthorized entity from sending a fraudulent email message on your behalf-

- Go to Google and look for an online [DKIM record](/topic/adding-dkim-to-dns-records/) generator.
- Enter your domain name, followed by mentioning your [DKIM selector](https://www.warmy.io/blog/dkim-selectors-step-by-step-guide-on-how-to-find-dkim-selectors).
- Now, you will get a **new pair of keys** to publish on your DNS, replacing the old ones.
- _Finally, share the **private key** with your email service provider or upload it on your mail server if an in-house member handles your emails._

### Subdomain Delegation

**Utilizing** **external services** for periodic DKIM key rotation for your domain allows you to redirect your focus to other duties and relieve yourself of [DKIM management](/blog/dkim-best-practices-you-need-to-implement-in-2022/) and upkeep the responsibility.

### CNAME Delegation

[CNAME delegation](https://blog.martdj.nl/2023/04/25/dns-configurations-and-cname-delegation/) empowers domain owners to route **DKIM record** information through a third-party vendor. It resembles subdomain delegation, where you only need to publish specific CNAME records in your DNS, and the contracted third party takes charge of the key rotation process.

## How to Automatically Rotate DKIM Keys?

There are email vendors and outsourced email service providers that support **automatic DKIM key rotation** for users to make the process easier and reduce the chances of mistakes. Moreover, this saves time spent in zeroing down, troubleshooting, and synchronizing remedies for ruling and inclusive [DKIM issues](/blog/10-reasons-why-dkim-fails/). 

## Auditing

_As per the security policy of your organization, you should **conduct regular audits** of your DKIM key rotation._ This should be practiced shortly after a rotation, for example, approximately after a week or 10 days, to verify the keys have been appropriately shuffled. Next, begin to gather all the required information in a [data repository](https://www.digitalguardian.com/blog/what-data-repository) as soon as you establish the key rotation process. Ensure maintaining a record of all domains and subdomains for each mail stream within your business entity, along with DKIM selectors. Don’t forget to **keep track of the time frames** of the activities. 

To perform an audit, compare the current combination of the domain (“d=” value in the DKIM signature) and selector (“s=”) for a specific message with the expected values stored in your DKIM rotation data repository. A [DKIM lookup](/tools/dkim-lookup/) on each selector confirms the published public key so you can verify a rotation actually took effect. Maintaining a **structured selector naming convention** will make ad-hoc audits more efficient and can serve as the foundation for automated auditing. You can also run a [DKIM checker](/tools/dkim-lookup/) to confirm the published key matches what you expect.

## Final Words

![Email deliverability](https://media.mailhop.org/dmarcreport/images/2023/11/what-is-dmarc-2478.jpg) 

[SPF](/dmarc-fundamentals/what-is-spf/), DKIM, and [DMARC](/) work collectively to address [email deliverability](/flatten-spf-files-to-ensure-email-deliverability/) and security issues. If you’re unsure how these protocols differ, our guide to [SPF vs DKIM vs DMARC](/blog/spf-vs-dkim-vs-dmarc-difference-explained-2026/) breaks it down. DKIM signatures are added to email headers of messages sent to your customers, prospects, employees, stakeholders, etc., and are secured by the **cryptography method**. _Such an [email infrastructure](/blog/protecting-your-email-infrastructure-with-dmarc-for-office-365/) remains safe if you use long DKIM keys and rotate them regularly in your DNS TXT record._ DKIM protocol works on the **end-to-end encryption** **model** and informs if email messages are altered by suspicious sources in transit.

## Topics

[ dkim ](/tags/dkim/)[ DMARC ](/tags/dmarc/) 

![Brad Slavin](https://media.mailhop.org/dmarcreport/images/team/brad-slavin.jpg) 

[ Brad Slavin ](/authors/brad-slavin/) 

General Manager

General Manager of DuoCircle. Product strategy and commercial lead for DMARC Report's 2,000+ customer base.

[LinkedIn Profile →](https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradslavin) 

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[Start Free Trial](https://app.dmarcreport.com/signup?plan=free) [Check Your DMARC Record](/tools/dmarc-checker/) 

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