Meaning
Digital security standard that allows a receiver to verify that an email was indeed authorized by the owner of that domain. Modern email header dkim records provide a cryptographic signature that links a message to its source. It allows a founder to prove that an instruction sent by email was authentic and untampered with.
The protocol ceases to provide protection if the private keys of the sending server are compromised.
Signature Verification
Receiving servers use the public key found in the DNS records to validate the signature on an incoming message. The email header dkim field contains the result of this check, which confirms the integrity of the sender. This verification is a defense against phishing and spoofing attacks.
It provides a technical proof of origin that is difficult to forge.
Sender Proof
Establishing the identity of the person who sent a specific instruction is often critical in a contract dispute. An email header dkim record shows that the message originated from a specific domain and was signed by an authorized server. It provides more certainty than a simple display name or a return address.
This proof is used to hold parties accountable for their digital communications.
Alteration Shield
Cryptographic signatures cover the entire content of the message including any attachments. If any part of the email is changed during transit, the email header dkim check will fail. This shield ensures that the recipient is reading the exact words that were sent by the author.
It is a fundamental tool for maintaining the reliability of corporate records.