It’s not just email, it’s your reputation
SPF record Setup Service
Anti-spoofing
Mail Spoofing is when someone sends mail as someone else in the hopes of gaining gift cards, money, or information. It happens all of the time when DMARC and SPF Records aren’t published.
Insecure by Default
By default, mail service providers don’t enable these services. They leave it up to you, the customer, to figure it out. Now there’s a better way.
How Secure Are You?
You don’t need to take our word for it, check your own domain at mxtoolbox.com to see if your domain is secure. It’s fast and free to see just how locked down your account are.
SPF Records Aren’t Just for Big Businesses—They’re Email Survival 101
If you think SPF records are optional, think again. Without one, your emails are practically begging to be marked as spam—or worse, impersonated. SPF (Sender Policy Framework) is a foundational DNS text record that tells the world which mail servers are allowed to send on your behalf. The problem? Most small businesses don’t even realize their domain is wide open for abuse. If you’re using third-party services like Mailchimp, Outlook 365, or even a website contact form, you’re already at risk of spoofing if SPF isn’t configured properly.
Setting up an SPF record isn’t just about “email deliverability.” It’s about brand protection. When someone forges your domain to send phishing emails, they don’t just hurt your reputation—they burn trust with your clients. And once trust is lost, deliverability becomes the least of your problems.
So here’s the truth: SPF setup is one of the most overlooked cybersecurity basics in modern business. But the fix is simple and powerful. You add a plain-text record to your DNS—something like:v=spf1 include:spf.protection.outlook.com -all
And just like that, your email system starts rejecting imposters. It’s not bulletproof by itself, but it’s step one of three (alongside DKIM and DMARC) in building an email authentication fortress.
What Happens If You Don’t Set Up an SPF Record? Hint: It’s Not Just Spam
Imagine sending out an important invoice, but it never reaches your client. Worse, it lands in their spam folder with a warning label. Or your domain gets flagged as suspicious, and your reputation tanks with it. That’s the real consequence of skipping SPF setup. You’re not just risking email bounce rates—you’re compromising your ability to do business at all.
Without an SPF record, your domain is an open door. Anyone—even hackers—can send email that looks like it’s from you. And in today’s world of phishing attacks and social engineering, that’s not just a technical issue. It’s a legal liability. If a customer gets scammed by an email that appears to be from your domain, you’re the one who gets the angry call.
Let’s be clear: SPF is not a cure-all. But it’s your first line of defense, and it costs nothing to implement. It tells recipient servers to trust only the sources you approve. That might be your website host, your email provider, or a bulk email service like Mailgun or Google Workspace.
Without it, you’re flying blind. With it, you’re signaling to the world that your domain is secure, your emails are legitimate, and your business takes communication seriously. The setup takes minutes—but the protection it offers is long-term and essential.
We can Help
It’s not your fault. Enabling anti-spoofing protocols isn’t something that a business owner would necessarily know to do or even ask about. That’s why professionals like ITGuys tackle that part of life for you. We’re the first line of defense in making sure you’re not a victim of email hacks like theses. Take it from people in the industry, the results can be catastrophic!
How to Set Up an SPF Record: The Right Way, Not the Lazy Way
Setting up an SPF record is simple—but getting it right takes thought. Many guides offer a copy-paste SPF string, but using a generic one can create problems. If you send mail through multiple providers—say, Outlook 365, your web host, and a marketing platform—you need to build a record that accounts for all of them.
Here’s the wrong way:v=spf1 +a +mx -all
Here’s the better way:v=spf1 include:spf.protection.outlook.com include:_spf.google.com include:mail.zendesk.com -all
Each “include” entry references the SPF record of a provider you use. The -all at the end says “fail anything not listed.” That’s what blocks impersonators.
Now, why does this matter for SEO? Because email deliverability impacts user engagement, which affects behavioral metrics—like click-through rates and bounce rates—that search engines monitor. Plus, if your email confirmations and lead nurturing campaigns don’t make it into inboxes, your funnel breaks down before SEO can do its job.
The key takeaway? Don’t just slap in one SPF entry and call it good. Audit every service that sends mail for your domain. Get their SPF syntax. Build a tailored record. Then test it using tools like MXToolbox or Google Admin Toolbox to confirm accuracy.
Don’t become a victim
eMail Piracy is everywhere and can be accessed by anyone if your email settings aren’t set up. Get in touch with an ITGuys guide if you’d like to learn more.
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Built for Teams
DMARC solutions are scalable and apply across your entire team
Third Party Solutions
For more advanced solutions, ITGuys provides support for 3rd party spam filtering services that allow you to customize the level of control you want over your eMail.
Level Up Security
As time marches on, the threat level to your personal information and company security increases as well. Stay on top of your game with certified solutions from ITGuys.