How to Enable SPF Authentication on Plesk – The Popular Guide

Posted on by PUJA SHETTY

How to Enable SPF Authentication on Plesk

SPF (Sender Policy Framework) is a vital part of email authentication. It helps prevent email spoofing by allowing domain owners to specify which mail servers are permitted to send emails on their behalf. Enabling SPF authentication on Plesk can significantly reduce the chances of your emails being marked as spam or rejected altogether. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to enable SPF authentication on Plesk, tailored for users of various hosting providers.

1. Access Your Plesk Control Panel

Start by logging into your Plesk control panel. You can typically access this through a URL provided by your hosting provider, such as https://yourdomain.com:8443 or a similar address. Enter your credentials to access the dashboard.

2. Navigate to the Domain Management Section

Once you’re logged in, locate the domain for which you want to set up SPF. This can usually be found under the “Websites & Domains” tab or a similar section depending on your Plesk version.

3. Access DNS Settings

Click on the domain name to open its settings. Look for an option related to DNS management. This might be labeled “DNS Settings,” “DNS Zone,” or something similar. The DNS management section is where you’ll configure the SPF record.

4. Add or Modify the SPF Record

In the DNS settings, you need to either add a new SPF record or modify an existing one. Here’s how you can do that:

  • To Add a New SPF Record:
    • Look for an option to “Add Record” or “Add New DNS Record.”
    • Select “TXT” as the record type. SPF records are technically stored as TXT records in the DNS.
    • In the “Record” or “Value” field, enter your SPF record. A typical SPF record looks like this:
v=spf1 a mx include:example.com ~all
  • v=spf1 specifies the SPF version.
  • a allows the domain’s A record IP addresses.
  • mx permits the mail servers listed in the domain’s MX records.
  • include:example.com specifies that another domain’s SPF record should be included.
  • ~all indicates that all other sources are not permitted but should be treated with a soft fail.
  • To Modify an Existing SPF Record:
    • Locate the existing TXT record that contains SPF information. It might look like v=spf1 ....
    • Edit this record to include any necessary changes or additions.

5. Save Your Changes

After adding or modifying the SPF record, save your changes. There should be a “Save” or “Apply” button in the DNS management section.

6. Verify SPF Record

SPF changes can take some time to propagate across the internet. To verify that your SPF record is set up correctly, you can use various online tools or services. Search for “SPF record checker” or “SPF validation tool” online. Enter your domain name, and the tool will show you if your SPF record is correctly configured.

7. Test Email Authentication

Once the SPF record is propagated, test sending emails from your domain. Check the email headers to ensure that SPF authentication is passing. Most email clients or services provide ways to view detailed email headers.

8. Troubleshooting

If your SPF record isn’t working as expected, double-check the following:

  • Syntax Errors: Ensure there are no typos or syntax issues in your SPF record.
  • Multiple SPF Records: Your domain should have only one SPF record. If there are multiple, combine them into a single record.
  • Propagation Time: DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to fully propagate.

9. Additional Considerations

  • SPF Limitations: Keep in mind that SPF records have a limit on DNS lookups. Ensure that your SPF record does not exceed this limit to avoid issues.
  • Combine with DKIM and DMARC: SPF is more effective when used alongside DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) and DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) for a comprehensive email authentication setup.

Conclusion

Enabling SPF authentication on Plesk is a straightforward process that involves configuring your DNS settings to include an SPF record. By doing this, you help protect your domain from being misused in email spoofing attacks and improve the deliverability of your emails. If you encounter any difficulties or need more personalized assistance, your hosting provider’s support team can offer additional guidance.

Implementing SPF is a crucial step for any domain owner who wants to ensure their email communications are secure and trusted.