What is an SPF Record?
The Domain Name System, or DNS, is the network that helps computers find each other on the Internet. It’s a critical part of the Internet’s infrastructure and is used to translate domain names like “example.com” into IP addresses like “123.456.78.901.” This article explains why it’s important to have an SPF record on your domain’s DNS record. An SPF record on your domain’s DNS tells email senders which email servers are authorized to send email on your behalf. If a sender finds your email address in their system and wants to send email to your recipients, but doesn’t have your domain’s email address, then the sender can check your domain’s SPF record to find out if the email you send to them is actually coming from your domain.
Why You Need an SPF Record on Your Domain
There are a number of reasons why you’ll want to add an SPF record to your domain’s DNS record. First, an SPF record prevents malicious email senders from spoofing your email via an email address that they control. If a malicious actor sends an email to your email address, but doesn’t have your actual domain name, then they could potentially trick your recipient into thinking the email is coming from a trusted source. Next, an SPF record can help verify that your emails are legitimate. If a recipient receives an email from your domain, but they don’t see your email address in the headers, then they can assume that the sender is a phishing scam. Lastly, an SPF record helps prevent email blacklists from incorrectly flagging your emails as spam. Email blacklists are databases of known spam sources and malicious actors. If an email is sent to your domain and the SPF record shows that your domain doesn’t send email, but the SPF record shows that your domain does send email, then the email will remain in the blacklist.
How to Create an SPF Record for Your Domain
A Domain Name Server, or DNS, record is the location in the Internet that stores this information. If you want to edit your DNS records on your domain’s DNS, you can log into your DNS provider account and make the change from there.
Below are some directions from some of the more widely-known domain name providers:
- GoDaddy: Article: Add an SPF Record
- NameCheap: Video: How to add an SPF record for a domain in your Namecheap account
Conclusion
An SPF record is a simple way to verify that a sender of email from your domain isn’t possibly spoofing emails in order to bypass spam filters and deliver them to unsuspecting inboxes. In this article we’ll explain what an SPF record is and why you need one on every email address associated with your domain. An SPF record on your domain’s DNS tells email senders which email servers are authorized to send email on your behalf. If a sender finds your email address in their system and wants to send email to your recipients, but doesn’t have your domain’s email address, then they can check your domain’s SPF record to see if the email is genuine.