What does DKIM stand for in the context of email security?

DKIM stands for Domain Key Identified Mail. It is an email authentication method that enables the sender to associate their domain name with a message, thereby ensuring the authenticity and integrity of the email sent. This is achieved by allowing the sender to sign their emails with a cryptographic signature that is verified by the recipient's email server using public keys published in the sender's DNS records.

This process helps to prevent email spoofing and ensures that the email actually originated from the domain it claims to be from. Given the rise in phishing attacks and email fraud, implementing DKIM is crucial for maintaining the trustworthiness of email communication.

The other options presented do not accurately describe DKIM's function or its full meaning, which is specifically tied to the verification of domain identity in email communications.