Knowledgebase

An SPF (Sender Policy Framework) record is a crucial DNS (Domain Name System) entry that plays a significant role in email authentication and security. This TXT record lists all authorized hostnames and IP addresses permitted to send emails on behalf of your domain.

Why SPF Records are Important:

• Prevents email spoofing and unauthorized use of your domain for sending emails
• Improves email deliverability and reduces the likelihood of your emails being marked as spam
• Protects your domain's reputation from phishers and spoofers
• Forms a key component in the DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) specification
• Considered essential for modern email security practices

Creating an SPF Record on ArkHost:

1. Log in to your ArkHost account
2. Navigate to the "Domains" section from the main menu
3. Select "Manage DNS"
4. Click the "Edit" icon next to your domain
5. Click the "Add Record" button
6. Choose "TXT" as the record type
7. In the "Name" field, enter "@" (without quotes) to apply the record to your root domain
8. In the "Value" field, enter your SPF record. A basic example might look like: v=spf1 ip4:YOUR_SERVER_IP include:_spf.google.com ~all Replace YOUR_SERVER_IP with your actual server IP address
9. Set the TTL (Time To Live) as recommended by your email service provider, or use 3600 seconds (1 hour) as a standard value
10. Click "Add Record" to save your new SPF record

Verifying Your SPF Record:

After creating the record, it's important to verify that it's correctly implemented:

• Wait for DNS propagation (can take up to 24-48 hours)
• Use online SPF record checker tools to verify your record
• Send a test email to an external address and check the email headers to ensure the SPF check passes

Additional Considerations:

• Keep your SPF record up to date if you change email service providers or add new legitimate sending sources
• Combine SPF with DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) for enhanced email authentication
• Consider implementing DMARC after setting up SPF and DKIM for comprehensive email security

Remember, the specific IP addresses or includes in your SPF record should reflect your actual email sending infrastructure. If you're unsure about the exact configuration, consult with your email service provider or IT department.

For information on setting up MX records, which are also crucial for email routing, see our guide on "Creating an MX (Mail Exchanger) Record".