How does DNSSEC protect email authentication?

Without DNSSEC:

• Attacker could potentially forge DNS responses
• Fake SPF record could authorize malicious IPs
• Fake DKIM key could enable forged signatures

With DNSSEC:

• DNS responses are cryptographically signed
• Forged responses fail signature verification
• Authentication records are trustworthy

Practical impact:

• Receivers trusting DNSSEC can rely on authentication records
• Adds confidence to DMARC policy enforcement
• Part of a defense-in-depth strategy

DNSSEC is recommended but not universally required. Many receivers work fine without it.

Tamper-evident seals on credential documents. Recipients can verify authenticity.