ARC-Authentication-Results vs. Authentication-Results

Attribute	ARC-Authentication-Results	Authentication-Results
Header Field Name	ARC-Authentication-Results	Authentication-Results
Definition	Authentication results for messages relayed through intermediaries	Authentication results for the message as received by the final destination
Usage	Used in the context of ARC (Authenticated Received Chain) protocol	Used in the context of email authentication protocols like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC
Location	Located in the header section of an email message	Located in the header section of an email message

Introduction

When it comes to email authentication, two commonly used header fields are ARC-Authentication-Results and Authentication-Results. These fields play a crucial role in determining the authenticity of an email message and help in preventing email spoofing and phishing attacks. While both fields serve a similar purpose, there are some key differences between them that are important to understand.

ARC-Authentication-Results

ARC-Authentication-Results stands for Authentication-Results-Chain, and it is an extension of the Authentication-Results header field. ARC was developed to address the issues related to email forwarding and to provide a more reliable way of authenticating email messages that have been forwarded multiple times. ARC allows email providers to validate the authenticity of an email message even if it has passed through multiple intermediaries.

• ARC-Authentication-Results is used to verify the authentication results of an email message that has been forwarded multiple times.
• It helps in preventing email spoofing and phishing attacks by providing a more reliable way of authenticating forwarded emails.
• ARC-Authentication-Results includes information about the authentication results of each intermediary that the email message has passed through.
• It allows email providers to determine the authenticity of an email message even if it has been forwarded multiple times.
• ARC-Authentication-Results is an important tool in the fight against email fraud and cyber threats.

Authentication-Results

Authentication-Results is a header field that is used to convey the results of email authentication checks performed by the receiving email server. It provides information about the authentication methods used, such as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, and whether the email message has passed or failed these checks. Authentication-Results helps in determining the authenticity of an email message and in identifying potential spoofing attempts.

• Authentication-Results conveys the results of email authentication checks performed by the receiving email server.
• It provides information about the authentication methods used, such as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.
• Authentication-Results indicates whether the email message has passed or failed these authentication checks.
• It helps in determining the authenticity of an email message and in identifying potential spoofing attempts.
• Authentication-Results is a crucial component of email security and helps in preventing email fraud and phishing attacks.

Key Differences

While both ARC-Authentication-Results and Authentication-Results serve the purpose of authenticating email messages, there are some key differences between the two. One of the main differences is that ARC-Authentication-Results is specifically designed to handle email messages that have been forwarded multiple times, whereas Authentication-Results focuses on the authentication checks performed by the receiving email server.

• ARC-Authentication-Results is designed to handle forwarded email messages, while Authentication-Results focuses on authentication checks performed by the receiving email server.
• ARC-Authentication-Results includes information about the authentication results of each intermediary, while Authentication-Results provides information about the authentication methods used.
• ARC-Authentication-Results helps in verifying the authenticity of forwarded emails, while Authentication-Results helps in determining the authenticity of the original email message.
• ARC-Authentication-Results is an extension of Authentication-Results and provides additional information about the authentication results of forwarded emails.
• Both ARC-Authentication-Results and Authentication-Results play a crucial role in email authentication and help in preventing email fraud and phishing attacks.

Conclusion

In conclusion, ARC-Authentication-Results and Authentication-Results are both important header fields that play a crucial role in email authentication. While ARC-Authentication-Results is specifically designed to handle forwarded email messages, Authentication-Results focuses on the authentication checks performed by the receiving email server. Both fields help in preventing email fraud and phishing attacks by verifying the authenticity of email messages and identifying potential spoofing attempts. Understanding the differences between ARC-Authentication-Results and Authentication-Results is essential for ensuring the security and authenticity of email communications.