DNS Records Analysis

DNS (Domain Name System) records are the backbone of internet addressing and routing. For email authentication, critical records like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC determine the legitimacy and reputation of your email streams. Proper analysis of these records is essential to ensure your emails reach the inbox and your brand is protected against spoofing.

SPF specifies which mail servers are authorized to send email on behalf of your domain. An accurate SPF record reduces the risk of spoofed emails and phishing attacks. When analyzing SPF, look for long include chains, syntax errors, and ensure all legitimate senders are covered.

DKIM adds a digital signature to emails, verifying they haven’t been tampered with in transit. Analyze DKIM public keys published in DNS for correct syntax, selector usage, and key length compliance.

DMARC aligns SPF and DKIM with your domain’s From address, sets policy for message handling, and provides reporting mechanisms. When analyzing DMARC records, ensure strict enforcement policies (quarantine or reject at 100%) are in place, and review aggregate and forensic reports for anomalies.

BIMI DNS records specify the location of your brand logo and the necessary certificate to display it in supporting inboxes. Analyze BIMI records for accurate selectors, correct SVG logo URLs, and valid certificate links.

1. Use reputable DNS diagnostic tools (e.g., MXToolbox, DMARC Analyzer) to retrieve and validate SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and BIMI records.

2. Check for syntax errors, missing records, and alignment issues.

3. Validate the authentication coverage of all sending sources, including third parties.

4. Monitor record TTLs to anticipate propagation delays.

5. Document findings and recommend remediation steps to improve email security and BIMI performance.

Frequent DNS misconfigurations include overly permissive SPF records, outdated DKIM selectors, missing DMARC records, and incorrect BIMI logo paths. Resolving these requires coordination between IT, marketing, and external vendors to update DNS entries accurately and test thoroughly before deployment.

DNS records are living components of your email infrastructure. Regular analysis and monitoring help detect unauthorized changes, compliance drift, and new threats. Implement automated alerts and scheduled reviews to maintain optimal email authentication and BIMI effectiveness.

Our consultancy offers comprehensive DNS records analysis services, helping you navigate complex authentication protocols, optimize BIMI setup, and ensure your emails consistently reach the inbox while protecting your brand reputation.