CompTIA Network+ Practice Test

What is the main purpose of the Digital Keys Identified Mail (DKIM) standard?

1. To encrypt DNS messages

2. To verify the authenticity of mail

3. To manage email subscriptions

4. To organize mail server routing

The correct answer is: To verify the authenticity of mail

The main purpose of the Digital Keys Identified Mail (DKIM) standard is to verify the authenticity of mail. DKIM achieves this by allowing the sender to attach a digital signature to the emails they send, which is created using the sender's private key. When the email is received, the recipient's email server can use the sender's public key, published in the Domain Name System (DNS), to check if the signature is valid. This verification process helps ensure that the email has not been altered in transit and that it genuinely originates from the stated sender, contributing to the integrity and security of email communications. The other options pertain to different functions that are not directly related to DKIM. For instance, while encrypting DNS messages is crucial for security, it is not the focus of DKIM's purpose. Managing email subscriptions involves a completely different set of protocols and practices geared towards user preferences and consent. Organizing mail server routing relates to the way email is directed and delivered across networks, but again, this isn't what DKIM addresses. Thus, DKIM's primary function remains centered on the authentication and verification of emails.