If your emails are landing in spam, or worse, being spoofed, there’s a good chance your DNS records are missing key security settings.
SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are DNS-based tools that verify your email is legitimate and not forged. When properly configured, they help stop spam, prevent impersonation, and protect your domain's reputation.
Let’s break each one down in plain English.
What it does: SPF tells the internet which servers are allowed to send email on your domain’s behalf.
Why it matters: Without SPF, anyone can spoof your domain and send fake emails pretending to be your company. SPF helps receiving mail servers verify that the message is legitimate.
Example: You use Microsoft 365 and a marketing platform like Mailchimp. Your SPF record must list both services so recipients know those emails are allowed.
What it does: DKIM adds a digital signature to your emails that proves the message hasn’t been tampered with in transit.
Why it matters: This prevents attackers from intercepting and modifying your message, such as adding malicious links or changing payment instructions.
Example: If you send invoices by email, DKIM helps protect your brand from being used in phishing scams.
What it does: DMARC tells other mail servers what to do if SPF or DKIM checks fail. It also gives you visibility into who is sending mail using your domain.
Why it matters: DMARC is the enforcement policy. Without it, even a valid SPF or DKIM setup won’t stop spoofed emails from being delivered.
Example: With DMARC set to “quarantine” or “reject,” you can block fake emails that fail authentication and receive reports on abuse attempts.
What they do: MX records tell the internet where to deliver your email.
Why they matter: If your MX records are incorrect or missing, no one can send you email. These records must point to your email hosting provider (like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace).
Bonus Tip: If you ever switch email providers or add a filtering service (like Proofpoint or Mimecast), don’t forget to update your MX records.
A properly configured DNS setup with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC:
We audit, configure, and monitor your domain's DNS records to protect your communications. Whether you're using Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, or a hybrid setup, we can help lock it down.
Want a quick check of your SPF, DKIM, and DMARC setup?
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