What does the ‘null’ value mean in an SPF record?

What does the ‘null’ value mean in an SPF record?

Imagine setting up an SPF record to protect your domain, only to realize it’s as good as not having one! Well, this is precisely what the situation is when your SPF record has the ‘null’ value.  What does it mean? If you check your SPF record using tools like MXToolbox, SPF Record Checker, or your…

SPF for Subdomain: A Complete Guide to Configuration and Security

SPF for Subdomain: A Complete Guide to Configuration and Security

In the vast world of online communication, keeping your email secure is more important than ever. Have you ever wondered why some emails end up in spam folders while others go straight to your inbox? It all comes down to how well your domain is protected and authorized to send messages. This is where SPF,…

How to safeguard your business against Vendor Email Compromise (VEC)?

How to safeguard your business against Vendor Email Compromise (VEC)?

Vendor Email Compromise (VEC) or financial supply chain compromise is a type of threat attack where cybercrooks spoof or impersonate the email account of a trusted vendor to deceive customers or employees. They receive malicious emails in their inbox. These emails often try to convince the email recipients to share sensitive details, send money, or…

Frequent Errors in Creating SPF Records: A Troubleshooting Guide

Frequent Errors in Creating SPF Records: A Troubleshooting Guide

Creating SPF (Sender Policy Framework) records might seem like a small task in the realm of email communication, but it carries big consequences for your domain’s credibility and deliverability. Picture this: you send out an important email, but instead of landing in your recipients’ inboxes, it vanishes into the ominous spam folder. Frustrating, right? Unfortunately,…

SPF Compression: A Comprehensive Guide to Benefits and Techniques

SPF Compression: A Comprehensive Guide to Benefits and Techniques

SPF Compression and Its Role in Email SPF compression is more than just a technical buzzword; it’s an essential practice that enhances the functionality of your email authentication strategies. The Sender Policy Framework (SPF) specifies which servers are permitted to send emails on behalf of a domain, using a simple text record that contains relevant…

The New Zealand government’s new DMARC requirements for email security 

The New Zealand government’s new DMARC requirements for email security 

The New Zealand government recently published its Secure Government Email (SGE) framework. It’s designed to protect official information from email-based menaces, primarily phishing and spoofing. All the New Zealand government agencies must comply with the requirements by October 2025. These standards are introduced to improve email security while also retiring the outdated SEEMail service. This…

Multiple SPF Records: Essential Configuration for Email Authentication

Multiple SPF Records: Essential Configuration for Email Authentication

Can You Have Multiple SPF Records? The crux of the matter is that you cannot have multiple SPF records for a single domain. This is not merely a suggestion; it’s rooted in the technical specifications outlined in RFC 7208, which state unequivocally that only one SPF record should exist per domain. Straying from this guideline…

How often should you audit your SPF record, and what should you look for?

How often should you audit your SPF record, and what should you look for?

An SPF record is the primary authorization layer that determines whether your SPF configuration will be effective or let any domain send emails on your behalf. These records are basically a list of all the addresses and domains that are allowed to send emails using your domain name. These are published as DNS TXT records…

Understanding SPF mechanisms: a, mx, ip4, and include

Understanding SPF mechanisms: a, mx, ip4, and include

Looking into an SPF record and figuring out what these alien terms are: a, mx, ip4, and include? Guess what, you are not alone. Anyone with no-so-adept technical expertise feels the same at first glance. SPF is undoubtedly one of the powerful tools for combating phishing and spoofing attempts made in your name. However, creating…

SPF Syntax: Understanding SPF Records for Email Configuration

SPF Syntax: Understanding SPF Records for Email Configuration

When you think about emailing, it’s easy to overlook the behind-the-scenes work that keeps those messages flowing smoothly. Yet, just like a well-tuned machine, email systems rely on specific rules to prevent chaos, especially with pesky threats like spam and phishing attacks. One of these essential rules is the Sender Policy Framework (SPF), which helps…