Glossary
Glossary of terms used in the Shoutbox documentation
API Key
A secure authentication token used to access Shoutbox’s services. API keys can be used for both REST API and SMTP authentication. These keys should be stored securely as they provide full access to your email sending capabilities. API keys are hashed using SHA-256 for storage and encrypted during transit using TLS 1.3.
Domain Verification
The process of proving ownership of your sending domain by configuring specific DNS records. This is a crucial step for ensuring reliable email delivery and maintaining sender reputation. Domain verification involves adding and validating SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records.
DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)
A security standard that adds a digital signature to your emails, verifying that they were sent by an authorized sender and haven’t been tampered with during transit. Shoutbox automatically signs all outgoing emails with DKIM.
DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication)
A policy framework that builds on SPF and DKIM to protect against phishing and spoofing attempts. DMARC helps maintain your domain’s reputation and ensures better email deliverability.
Rate Limits
Restrictions on the number of emails that can be sent within a specific timeframe. The default limit is 60 requests per minute per API key, applying to both REST API and SMTP methods. Higher limits can be requested through support.
REST API
A programmatic interface for sending emails through HTTP requests. The REST API accepts JSON payloads and requires authentication using your API key in the Authorization header.
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)
A traditional email sending protocol supported by Shoutbox. Available on ports 587 (TLS) and 465 (SSL), SMTP requires authentication using ‘shoutbox’ as the username and your API key as the password.
SPF (Sender Policy Framework)
An email authentication method that specifies which mail servers are authorized to send email on behalf of your domain. SPF helps prevent email spoofing and improves deliverability.
TLS (Transport Layer Security)
An encryption protocol that secures communications between your application and Shoutbox’s services. All API communications use TLS 1.3, while SMTP supports both native TLS (port 465) and STARTTLS (port 587).