
BEACON DMARC:
What is DMARC?
Email security made simple – protecting your business from email fraud
The Simple Answer
DMARC is like a security guard for your email. It stops criminals from pretending to be you when they send emails, protecting both your business and your customers from fraud.
When someone receives an email that claims to be from your company, DMARC checks if it’s really from you. If it’s fake, DMARC can block it or mark it as suspicious.
Why This Matters to Your Business
The Problem
- Criminals send fake emails pretending to be your business
- These emails trick your customers into sharing passwords or paying fake invoices
- Your customers lose trust in your business
- Your legitimate emails might end up in spam folders
- You might not even know this is happening
The Solution
- DMARC authenticates your legitimate emails
- Fake emails are blocked or marked as suspicious
- Your customers trust emails from your domain
- Your legitimate emails reach inboxes reliably
- You get reports showing who’s trying to impersonate you
How DMARC Works
1. You Set the Rules
DMARC lets you tell email providers (like Gmail, Outlook) what to do with emails claiming to be from your domain.
2. Emails get checked
When someone receives an email from your domain, the receiving email system checks if it passes your authentication rules.
3. Action is taken
Legitimate emails are delivered normally. Suspicious emails are quarantined, marked as spam, or rejected entirely.
4. You get reports
Email providers send you reports showing all email activity for your domain – both legitimate and fraudulent attempts.
Real-World Example
Imagine your business is “BestCoffee.com”. A criminal creates a fake email that looks like it’s from “billing@bestcoffee.com” and sends invoices to your customers.
Without DMARC, these fake emails might reach your customers’ inboxes. Your customers might pay these fake invoices, lose money, and blame your business.
With DMARC properly configured, email providers recognise that these emails aren’t really from you. They’re automatically blocked or marked as suspicious, protecting your customers and your reputation.
Who Needs DMARC?
Every business with a domain should have DMARC, including:
Small Local Businesses
Even a single fake email can damage your local reputation and customer relationships.
E-commerce Companies
Customers regularly receive order confirmations and shipping updates – perfect targets for fraud.
Service Providers
Clients trust your invoices and communications – criminals exploit this trust.
Any Business That Sends Email
If you send emails from your domain, you need DMARC protection.
The Technical Bits (Simplified)
DMARC works alongside two other email security standards:
SPF (Sender Policy Framework)
Like a guest list – specifies which email servers are allowed to send email for your domain.
DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)
Like a signature – adds a digital signature to your emails that proves they’re really from you.
DMARC
Like the security policy – tells email providers what to do when SPF or DKIM checks fail.
Why Professional Management Matters
Setting up DMARC correctly requires technical expertise. Get it wrong, and your legitimate emails might be blocked. Here’s what professional DMARC management provides:
Expert Setup
Proper configuration that protects against fraud without blocking your legitimate emails.
Ongoing Monitoring
Regular analysis of DMARC reports to identify threats and optimise your email security.
Issue Resolution
Quick response when problems arise, ensuring your email delivery stays reliable.
Compliance Support
Many industries and clients now require DMARC compliance – we ensure you meet these requirements.
Ready to Protect Your Email?
Don’t wait for criminals to target your business. DMARC protection is essential for any company that values its reputation and customer relationships.