SPF Config Manual - Route53
What are SPF Records?
SPF (Sender Policy Framework) Records are DNS records that authenticate email senders, verifying that emails are sent from authorized servers. These records specify which IP addresses are allowed to send emails on behalf of a particular domain. When an email is received, the recipient's server checks the SPF record of the sender's domain to ensure the message originates from an authorized source.
Why Do We Need SPF Records?
SPF records are essential for preventing email spoofing and phishing attacks. By specifying authorized senders in the SPF record, organizations can protect their domain reputation and reduce the risk of their emails being marked as spam or malicious. SPF helps recipients verify the authenticity of emails, enhancing email security and trustworthiness. Without SPF records, malicious actors can easily impersonate legitimate senders, leading to potential fraud and compromising the integrity of email communications.
Implementing SPF records strengthens email security, enhancing trust and reliability in communication channels.
To configure your SPF record using Amazon Route53 follow these steps:
- Log in to your AWS account and navigate to Route53. On the left sidebar, click on "Hosted zones":
- Select the domain you wish to configure:
- Click on Create record
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Name: Leave empty
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Value: Enter the DMARC record generated by Rotate
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TTL: Leave it as Default (300)
- Save your changes. Record updates may take a few minutes to propagate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Email Add-On?
The Email Add-On is a tool designed for Gmail and Outlook that helps you identify and manage malicious emails, including spam, phishing attempts, and malware. It enhances your email security by reporting suspicious emails and managing your personal spam list.
Why are mail rules a security risk?
Mail rules can be exploited to exfiltrate data, hide security alerts, or modify incoming messages. Attackers often use forwarding rules to silently send emails to external accounts or create rules that auto-delete security notifications, making it harder to detect compromises.
Why is email security important?
Email is a common attack vector for phishing, spoofing, and other cyber threats. Properly configured DMARC, DKIM, and SPF records help prevent unauthorized parties from sending emails on behalf of your domain, protecting your organization from email-based attacks.
What actions can I take on a malicious email?
When a malicious email is detected, you can take the following actions:
- Block the email to remove it from the user’s inbox.
- Release the email after it’s been blocked, putting it back in the inbox.
Can I deactivate Rotate Mail Scanning on a specific mailbox?
Yes, you can exclude specific mailboxes from Rotate Mail Scanning. This can be configured in the Configurations tab in the Email Hub under the Users and choose the users to exclude.
What does Email Threats mean?
- Phishing: A type of cyberattack where attackers impersonate legitimate organizations via email or websites to steal sensitive information like passwords or credit card numbers.
- Financial Fraud: Illegally obtaining money or assets through deceptive means, such as credit card fraud, investment scams, or identity theft.
- BEC (Business Email Compromise): A type of cybercrime where attackers impersonate company executives or employees to trick others into transferring money or sensitive information, often through email.
- Malware: Malicious software designed to harm, exploit, or otherwise compromise the data or functionality of a computer, network, or device. Examples include viruses, trojans, and ransomware.
- Spam: Unsolicited and often irrelevant or inappropriate messages, typically sent in bulk, usually through email. Often used for advertising or spreading malicious content.