Why are 97% of Indonesian domains vulnerable to cyberattacks?

Why are 97% of Indonesian domains vulnerable to cyberattacks?

Recent analysis of Indonesia’s country‑code top‑level domains (ccTLDs) shows a staggering security gap. Out of 98,212 domains surveyed, only 12,251 (about 12.5%) have adopted DMARC, a critical email authentication standard. Even fewer—just 2,945 domains—are fully protected with policies that block phishing attempts. The result is that roughly 97% of Indonesian domains remain open to spoofing, phishing, and other email‑based attacks.

Key findings from the research

• Only 12.5% of Indonesian domains have any DMARC record.
• Less than 3% of the total sample are fully protected (flag, report, and reject).
• Among the domains with DMARC, more than half use a “none” policy, which merely monitors but does not block threats.
• 21% of DMARC‑enabled domains employ a quarantine policy, while 24% use the stricter reject policy.
• The low adoption rate leaves the majority of domains vulnerable to email‑based cybercrime.

What does a “none” policy mean?

A “p=none” setting tells email receivers to report authentication failures without taking action. While it provides visibility, it does not stop malicious emails from reaching inboxes. Organizations that remain on “none” miss out on a key line of defense against phishing and brand‑spoofing.

Why the “reject” policy matters

Domains that enforce “p=reject” tell receiving servers to discard any email that fails DMARC checks. This is the most effective way to prevent attackers from impersonating a brand, protecting both reputation and customer trust.

Impact on Indonesia’s digital ecosystem

Weak email authentication can erode confidence in online services, increase fraud, and damage the country’s reputation as a safe digital market. For businesses, the cost of a successful spoofing attack can include data breaches, financial loss, and regulatory penalties.

How Palisade can help

Palisade offers a suite of tools to assess and improve email security. Use our Email Security Score to gauge your domain’s current posture, then deploy DMARC, BIMI, DKIM, and SPF with guided implementation.

Quick Takeaways

• Only 12.5% of Indonesian domains have DMARC; the rest are exposed.
• Less than 3% enforce a reject policy, leaving most vulnerable.
• “p=none” provides data but no protection; upgrade to quarantine or reject.
• Weak email authentication fuels phishing, fraud, and brand damage.
• Palisade’s tools simplify DMARC, BIMI, DKIM, and SPF deployment.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is DMARC and why is it important? DMARC (Domain‑based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) validates that incoming emails are authorized by the domain owner, reducing spoofing and phishing. It builds trust with recipients and protects brand reputation. Learn more with Palisade’s Email Security Score.
2. How does a “quarantine” policy differ from “reject”? Quarantine tags suspicious emails as spam, while reject outright blocks them. Reject offers stronger protection but may require careful testing to avoid false positives.
3. What role does BIMI play in email security? BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) displays a verified logo alongside authenticated emails, boosting brand visibility and trust. Set up BIMI easily with Palisade’s BIMI tool.
4. Do I need DKIM and SPF in addition to DMARC? Yes. DKIM adds a digital signature to each email, and SPF lists authorized sending servers. Together they form the backbone of DMARC enforcement. Palisade provides guided setup for DKIM and SPF.
5. How can I start improving my domain’s security? Begin with Palisade’s free email security assessment, then follow the step‑by‑step recommendations to publish DMARC, DKIM, SPF, and BIMI records. Continuous monitoring ensures ongoing protection.

Additional FAQs

• Why are so many Indonesian domains still unprotected? Limited awareness, lack of resources, and perceived complexity of email authentication contribute to low adoption.
• What are the financial risks of a spoofing attack? Costs can include data breach remediation, legal fees, lost revenue, and damage to brand credibility.
• Can I monitor DMARC reports without changing policies? Yes. A “p=none” policy collects reports, allowing you to assess threats before enforcing stricter actions.
• How often should I review my email authentication settings? Quarterly reviews are recommended to account for new sending services and evolving threat landscapes.
• Is Palisade suitable for large enterprises and SMEs? Palisade’s platform scales from small businesses to multinational corporations, offering tailored guidance for any size.