Fact Check: DKIM is required to make mail safe

Fact Check: "DKIM is required to make mail safe"

What We Know

DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM) is an email authentication method designed to prevent email spoofing by allowing the receiver to check that an email was indeed sent and authorized by the owner of that domain. DKIM works by associating a domain name with an email message, thus allowing the recipient to verify that the message was not altered in transit. According to Google Workspace Admin Help, DKIM helps protect domains against spoofing by authenticating emails with a DKIM signature. The process involves generating a public/private key pair, where the public key is added to the domain's DNS records, and the private key is used to sign outgoing emails.

While DKIM is a critical component of email security, it is not the only method available. Other protocols like Sender Policy Framework (SPF) and Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance (DMARC) also play significant roles in email authentication and security. As noted by Cloudflare, these three methods work together to enhance email security and reduce the risk of spam and phishing attacks.

Analysis

The claim that "DKIM is required to make mail safe" is somewhat misleading. While DKIM is an important tool for enhancing email security, it is not strictly required for all email systems. Many email providers and organizations can operate without DKIM, but doing so may expose them to higher risks of email spoofing and phishing attacks.

For instance, Postmark explains that DKIM helps ensure that messages are not altered during transmission, but it does not guarantee complete safety on its own. The effectiveness of DKIM is significantly enhanced when used in conjunction with SPF and DMARC. This means that while DKIM contributes to making email safer, it is not a standalone solution and cannot be considered "required" in every context.

Moreover, Google's documentation mentions that some domains may already have DKIM set up by default, indicating that not all users need to manually configure DKIM for their emails to be functional and secure (Google Workspace Admin Help).

In summary, while DKIM is a valuable component of email security, it is not the sole requirement for making mail safe, and its necessity can vary depending on the specific email setup and security measures in place.

Conclusion

Verdict: Partially True

The claim that "DKIM is required to make mail safe" is partially true. DKIM is indeed an important email authentication method that helps enhance security by preventing spoofing and ensuring message integrity. However, it is not strictly required for all email systems, as other methods like SPF and DMARC also contribute to email safety. Therefore, while DKIM is beneficial and recommended, it is not the only measure necessary for secure email communication.

Sources

1. Set up DKIM - Google Workspace Admin Help
2. What are DMARC, DKIM, and SPF?
3. Configurare DKIM - Guida di Amministratore di Google Workspace
4. [Updated 2024] What Is DKIM? DomainKeys Identified Mail ...](https://postmarkapp.com/guides/dkim)
5. DKIM を設定する - Google Workspace 管理者 ヘルプ
6. What Is DKIM? - How It Works, Definition & More
7. Configurar DKIM - Ayuda de Administrador de Google Workspace
8. Set up DKIM to sign mail from your Microsoft 365 domain