What does DMARC stand for in email authentication?

DMARC stands for Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance. This protocol is designed to improve the security of email by providing a way for domain owners to protect their domain from unauthorized use, such as phishing and email spoofing.

By implementing DMARC, organizations can specify how email from their domain should be handled if it fails authentication checks, which are typically performed using SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail). The reporting aspect of DMARC allows domain owners to receive feedback about email that fails these checks, enabling them to monitor and improve their email authentication practices.

This comprehensive approach helps in enhancing the domain's email integrity and ensuring that legitimate emails are successfully delivered while preventing malicious or fraudulent emails from being sent under false pretenses.