What Is Email Spoofing
Email spoofing is a cybercriminal activity where scammers and phishers send emails to anyone and pretend to be you. They forge the header of the email to make it look like the email comes from your domain name and email address. Below is an example of an email spoofing activity.
If any of your clients receive these kinds of emails and see that they come from your domain name, this could destroy the trust and relationship that you and your clients have. Add an SPF record to your domain name to prevent this from happening.
The SPF, or Sender Policy Framework, is a system that allows you to specify mail servers and IP addresses that are authorised to send mail using your domain(s). It's the most basic requirement that mail servers use for preliminary spam checking. When your domain is SPF-protected, the system automatically conducts an email authentication protocol each time your domain is used for sending emails. When an unauthorised mail server or IP address uses your domain, it fails SPF authentication and will not deliver the emails.
To protect your domain, set up the recommended SPF below by adding it as a TXT record to your domain name:
| Product | SPF Record |
|---|---|
| Linux Web Hosting | v=spf1 +a +mx include:all._spf.ds.network -all |
| Business Hosting | v=spf1 +a +mx include:all._spf.ds.network -all |
| Windows Hosting | v=spf1 +a +mx include:all._spf.ds.network -all |
| WordPress Hosting | v=spf1 +a +mx include:all._spf.ds.network -all |
| WooCommerce Online Store | v=spf1 +a +mx include:all._spf.ds.network -all |
| Website Builder | v=spf1 +a +mx include:all._spf.ds.network -all |
| Microsoft Email Exchange | v=spf1 +a +mx include:all._spf.ds.network ~all |
To check and update your SPF/TXT Record, follow the instructions that apply to you:
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If via Account Manager, follow this guide.
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If via Hosting Manager (cPanel or Plesk), follow this guide.
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If via Exchange Manager, follow the instructions below:
- Sign in to your Exchange Manager.
- Under System, click on the Domains icon.
- Select the Domain Name you wish to manage.
- Click the Edit DNS Zone Records button. Your TXT and other records should appear here.
- Click the Pencil Icon corresponding to your TXT Record, enter the correct data, and click Save.
Or, if there is no TXT Record, click Add Record, select TXT from the drop-down list under Record Type, enter the correct data, and click Save.