How can you protect your brand from impersonation with anti‑spoofing?

Anti‑spoofing technology and features might not be the flashiest part of your email stack, but they can make or break your email program—and your brand’s reputation.

Most marketers focus on user experience and conversion rates, yet overlooking email security can cost you both customers and credibility. The good news? You can boost email security and email performance at the same time.

Security and deliverability go hand‑in‑hand, so strengthening anti‑spoofing measures benefits your customers and your bottom line.

With a proven return on investment, email remains the go‑to communications tool for modern marketing. In a crowded inbox, a savvy growth‑hacking strategy must be nimble, data‑driven, and—crucially—trusted.

Even a few percentage points improvement in deliverability or response rates can take months of effort. Yet many marketers overlook a proven way to increase both: deploying anti‑impersonation technologies.

The FBI recently highlighted that business email compromise (BEC) scams have cost companies $50 billion over the past nine years. Such scams erode brand trust and can cripple your email reputation.

For most marketers, this threat—and the deliverability‑boosting potential of anti‑spoofing tech—remains under the radar.

What is anti‑spoofing?

Anti‑spoofing encompasses techniques that prevent or mitigate spoofing attacks across digital channels. While email is the most common vector, it also applies to websites, SMS, GPS, and caller ID systems.

Spoofing involves falsifying information or masquerading as a trusted entity with malicious intent. Anti‑spoofing measures verify the authenticity of the sender or source, ensuring communications are genuine.

You might even discover look‑alike domains impersonating your brand. Use Palisade’s free Lookalike Domain Finder to uncover malicious twins.

Email anti‑spoofing measures

Email anti‑spoofing protocols are designed to prevent or reduce email spoofing, helping recipients verify the sender’s identity.

SPF

SPF (Sender Policy Framework) lets domain owners specify which mail servers are authorized to send email on their behalf. Receiving servers check SPF records in DNS; if the sender’s IP isn’t authorized, the email can be flagged or rejected. 👉 Check your SPF health

DKIM

DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) uses cryptographic signatures to ensure email content hasn’t been tampered with and that it truly originates from the claimed domain. The sending server signs the email with a private key; the receiver verifies it using a public key published in DNS. 👉 Assess your DKIM setup

DMARC

DMARC (Domain‑based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) builds on SPF and DKIM, allowing domain owners to set policies for handling unauthenticated mail and receive detailed reports on authentication results. 👉 Get your DMARC report

BIMI

BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) enhances brand visibility by displaying your logo next to authenticated emails in supporting clients. BIMI requires proper SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records. 👉 Explore BIMI readiness

How to maximize deliverability with anti‑spoofing

IT leaders tend to worry more about impersonation and phishing, while marketers chase open rates. Yet both share a common goal: ensuring emails reach the inbox.

Setting your domain to enforce DMARC (using Palisade’s enforcement service) can dramatically improve deliverability. In extreme cases, it restores a company’s ability to send outbound email after a flood of impersonation attacks.

The U.K. government’s rollout of email authentication across its domains, starting with HMRC, halted over half a billion fake emails and lifted legitimate deliverability from 18 % to 98 %.

Invest in anti‑impersonation technologies

For marketers, anti‑impersonation tech helps IT ensure emails land in inboxes, boosting ROI on campaigns.

For IT security, it protects brand trust and neutralizes the #1 phishing vector.

Both teams can demonstrate clear revenue impact—something any CEO loves.

Team up, start with email authentication, and protect your brand while improving performance.

Quick Takeaways

• Anti‑spoofing protects both brand reputation and email deliverability.
• SPF, DKIM, and DMARC work together to verify sender authenticity.
• Enforcing DMARC can lift deliverability rates dramatically (e.g., HMRC’s jump to 98 %).
• Look‑alike domains pose a hidden brand threat—use Palisade’s Lookalike Domain Finder.
• Investing in anti‑impersonation tech benefits marketers and IT alike.
• Regularly monitor SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and BIMI health with Palisade’s free tools.
• Cross‑functional collaboration on email authentication drives measurable ROI.

FAQs

What is the difference between SPF and DKIM for email authentication?

SPF validates the sending server’s IP address against a DNS record, while DKIM adds a cryptographic signature to the email content, ensuring it hasn’t been altered in transit.

How does DMARC enforcement improve email deliverability?

DMARC tells receiving servers how to handle unauthenticated mail and provides reporting, allowing you to tighten policies and reduce spoofed messages, which in turn boosts inbox placement.

Can BIMI increase brand trust in email campaigns?

Yes—BIMI displays your brand’s logo next to authenticated emails, reinforcing brand identity and encouraging higher engagement.

What tools can I use to discover look‑alike domains targeting my brand?

Palisade offers a free Lookalike Domain Finder that scans for similar domains that could be used for impersonation.

How often should I review my email authentication records?

Regularly—at least quarterly—or after any major DNS or email service changes. Palisade’s dashboard provides continuous monitoring and alerts.

Read our guide on email authentication basics for a deeper dive.