CompTIA Network+ Practice Test

What does DKIM stand for in email security?

1. Dynamic Key Integration Management

2. Domain Keys Identified Mail

3. Digital Key Identification Mechanism

4. Domain Knowledge Interface Module

The correct answer is: Domain Keys Identified Mail

DKIM stands for Domain Keys Identified Mail. This is an email authentication method that allows the receiver to verify that an email was indeed sent and authorized by the owner of the domain, thus preventing tampering and spoofing. DKIM uses cryptographic signatures to ensure the integrity of the message. When a sender sends an email, the mail server generates a unique digital signature for the email's contents and adds it to the email headers. The receiving mail server can then check this signature against the public key published in the sender's DNS records to verify that it hasn’t been altered in transit and that it genuinely comes from the claimed sender. The other options presented do not accurately describe DKIM and represent different concepts that are not widely recognized in email security. For instance, terms like "Dynamic Key Integration Management" or "Digital Key Identification Mechanism" do not correspond to any known standards in email authentication. Similarly, "Domain Knowledge Interface Module" does not relate to any established protocols or practices in email security or management. This reinforces the understanding that DKIM uniquely identifies and authenticates mail through its foundational principle of verifying domain ownership and message integrity.