Overview

SPF (Sender Policy Framework) is an essential email authentication protocol that helps prevent spammers from sending messages that appear to come from your domain. By publishing an SPF record in your domain’s DNS zone, you specify which mail servers are authorized to send email on your behalf.

How SPF Works

SPF uses a DNS TXT record to list permitted sending sources. When a recipient’s mail server receives an email claiming to be from your domain, it checks the SPF record to verify the sender. If the sender is not listed, the message may be flagged or rejected.

Example SPF Record

v=spf1 include:spf10.webnames.ca -all

This record authorizes Webnames.ca’s mail servers to send email for your domain and instructs recipients to reject messages from unauthorized sources.

Benefits of SPF

Reduces the risk of email spoofing and phishing
Improves email deliverability and trust
Helps comply with modern email authentication standards

SPF Setup with Webnames.ca

Our SPF management tool simplifies the process of creating and updating your SPF record:

Automatic Configuration: If you use Webnames for both email services and DNS services, then the SPF record will be automatically applied, and SPF is enabled on your domain's email. No action is required by you.

Manual Configuration: If your DNS is hosted by a third-party provider, then the required SPF record needs to be applied manually at that third-party provider. Please see the following article for the complete set of DNS records that are required in this situation: Email and Self-Managed DNS

Using Multiple Email Providers

In addition to Webnames email services, additional sending services (e.g., CRM platforms, marketing tools) can also be utilized in combination, however your SPF record must be updated to account for all these sources ensure those emails are properly authenticated.

Despite using more than one email service, your domain should have only one SPF TXT record. If multiple SPF records exist, they may conflict and cause authentication failures.

SPF Record Management

We provide an SPF record merge tool to properly combine the records from multiple providers into a single properly formatted record. Access to this tool can be found in your Webnames.ca account, on the Email tab of your domain's management interface.

Before using our SPF record merge tool, visit the help section of each of your email service providers to obtain their individual SPF records. Optionally, you can typically also perform a web search for "[your service provider's name] SPF" to obtain the same information.

Next, click the link below to access the domain(s) that have Webnames.ca email services, and if necessary click on the specific domain you'd like manage SPF for.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS YOUR WEBNAMES.CA EMAIL SERVICES

Click the Email tab, and then scroll down to the Manage SPF heading and click the Manage button.

Using the fields provided, paste the individual SPF records of each of your domain's email service providers.
Click Merge Record Inputs to combine each individual record in a single record.
Follow the additional instruction presented on screen to apply this merged record to your domain.

For more information regarding the different variables and parameters that can be optionally included in your SPF record to fine-tune its performance, please see: https://mxtoolbox.com/dmarc/spf/setup/how-to-setup-or-modify-spf

Important Notes

DNS Propagation: After updating your SPF record, changes may take up to 4–6 hours to propagate across the internet.

SPF Alone Isn’t Enough: SPF works best when combined with DKIM and DMARC to provide layered protection and reporting.

SPF Setup and Support