DomainKeys Identified Mail, or DKIM, is a method for verifying the legitimacy of an email using an e-signature. When DKIM is activated for a certain domain name, a public encryption key is published to the global DNS database and a private one is kept on the email server. If a new email message is sent, a signature is issued using the private key and when the email is received, the signature is ‘scanned’ by the incoming POP3/IMAP server using the public key. Thus, the recipient can easily recognize if the email is authentic or if the sender’s address has been forged. A discrepancy will appear if the content of the email has been changed in the meantime as well, so DKIM can also be used to make sure that the sent and the received emails are identical and that nothing has been attached or removed. This email validation system will increase your email safety, since you can confirm the authenticity of the important email messages that you get and your partners can do the same with the emails that you send them. Depending on the particular mail service provider’s adopted policies, an email that fails to pass the test may be erased or may be delivered to the receiver’s inbox with a warning symbol.