Sender Subscription
The sender subscribes to the Truemark service by identifying the domains and addresses from which messages will be sent, and how the messages should be marked in the user's inbox (different marks can be used for different domains and addresses if desired).

It is assumed that the sender is using one or both of the industry standard email authentication methods (see the "Authentication" section below).

User Software
The user must download a software plug-in that works in conjunction with their existing email service to authenticate, identify, and display the result for legitimate messages from senders subscribed to the Truemark service.

This software works with most major email clients, and takes seconds to download and use – no configuration is required by the user. It is available at www.iconix.com, http://www.download.com, other popular download sites and directly from several senders, who can host the plug-in themselves if desired.

Authentication
Using industry standard email authentication methods such as SPF/SenderID and DomainKeys/DKIM, the sender for each message is verified.

Using industry standard authentication methods makes implementation simple and straightforward for email senders since no special software is required for the senders and receivers. Most senders are already implementing one or both of these methods as part of an industry-wide initiative to authenticate email. In either case, Iconix enabled users will see your Truemark icon.

Identification
The sender is then identified as the owner of the sending address or domain through communication between the local Iconix software and the Truemark service database.

This is analogous to a web site security certificate check, and prevents use of "cousin" domains (e.g, we11sfargo.com with "1's" instead of "L's") that may fool the user.

Unspoofable Display
If the authentication and identification checks both pass, a Truemark icon is displayed in the user's inbox. This allows users to instantly and intuitively see which messages are real, and quickly find them in the inbox.

The icon is delivered outside the email message itself in real time, and is displayed by the Iconix software on the local PC, so it cannot be spoofed. The Truemark icon is also displayed when users open the email message, so they can be sure the message is legitimate.

Additionally, the user can verify the authenticity of the message by hovering over the Truemark icon – a Truemark certificate, analogous to a web site security certificate, is delivered by the Truemark service and displayed in real time.