In the ever-evolving landscape of online security, protecting your domain from email spoofing and phishing attacks is paramount.

While Sender Policy Framework (SPF) records have long been considered a cornerstone of email authentication, their effectiveness in isolation is increasingly falling short. This article will delve into the limitations of SPF records, highlighting the need for a multi-layered approach to domain protection.

What is SPF?

Sender Policy Framework is an email security protocol. To understand it better, it helps understanding the emails are sent from authorized servers.

If an email comes from unauthorized server, there are higher chances that a spammer is trying to abuse the sending domain for phishing attacks.

SPF prevents phishing attacks and stop scammers doing these attacks with receivers. With SPF record, you can specify which servers can send emails through your domain.

Do I need to set up an SPF record?

Yes. Using SPF along with DMARC would protect your domain from harmful attacks and potential phishing. It would help you build better relationship with your customers and improve work productivity.

Standard SPF Records Google Workspace/G Suite :

G Suite :

v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all

jQuery(document).ready(function() { jQuery('#google-spf').on('click', function() { var textToCopy = jQuery('#GoogleTxt').text(); copyTextToClipboard(textToCopy); // Change button text to "Copied" jQuery('#google-spf span').text('Copied'); // Reset button text after a short delay (e.g., 3 seconds) setTimeout(function() { jQuery('#google-spf span').text('Copy'); }, 3000); }); }); function copyTextToClipboard(text) { var textArea = document.createElement('textarea'); textArea.value = text; // Make the textarea invisible textArea.style.position = 'absolute'; textArea.style.left = '-9999px'; document.body.appendChild(textArea); // Select the text in the textarea textArea.select(); document.execCommand('copy'); // Remove the textarea from the DOM document.body.removeChild(textArea); }

The above given SPF record is standard for Google Workspace/G Suite. If you are a pro and want to update your SPF records manually, you can try below method.

Setting Up SPF Records for Google Workspace/G Suite :

Now, let’s explore how to set up SPF records for Google Workspace/G Suite :

G Suite :

  1. Sign in to your Google Admin console.
  2. Navigate to Apps > Google Workspace > Gmail > Advanced settings.
  3. Under Authentication, click SPF records.
  4. Review the generated SPF record and copy it.
  5. Log in to your domain registrar’s control panel.
  6. Locate the DNS management section.
  7. Add a new TXT record with the following details:
    • Name : @ (your domain name)
    • Type : TXT
    • Value : Paste the copied SPF record
  8. Save your changes.
Note : These instructions are general guidelines to follow. Consult your service provider’s documentation for specific steps and configurations. By implementing and maintaining SPF records, you can take significant steps towards protecting your domain from email spoofing and phishing attacks, ensuring secure and reliable communication for your users.