Introduction

Why?

Sending an e-mail is very convenient and a fast means of communication. Unfortunately, it is quite easy to send false e-mails (spam) on behalf of another person. This is possible because the e-mail protocol does not check by default whether the person sending the e-mail is allowed to do so on behalf of that domain. By building in Sender Policy Framework (SPF) records you keep control.


What happens?

By determining whether the sender of an e-mail message (Coachview) is entitled to send a message on behalf of the sender (you), we try to reduce spam. This is done by describing in an SPF record which servers are allowed to send e-mails on behalf of the domain name. Based on the SPF-record, a receiving server can pass on this e-mail, mark it as unsafe or refuse it altogether.


How do you do this?

For each domain (@your domain1, @your domain2) that is going to be sent an e-mail, it is wise to add the Coachview e-mail server. The Coachview email server is authorized to send email on behalf of these domain names.

  • Coachview mail server(s) must be included in the DNS records via an include -> 'include:spf.coachview.net'.
  • This must be added to your current spf-(txt)record in the dns of your domain. For example: v=spf1 mx ip4: ip-address include:spf.coachview.net ~all.


Also read this information:


Testing!

A check to test whether an e-mail from Coachview is going to arrive correctly is desirable and sensible. If the SFP-record is not set correctly, it is possible that some e-mail will arrive internally in your own e-mail, but not in Gmail, Outlook, etc. This will result in a so called 'softfail'. In this case the e-mails can be marked as spam.


Via the website https://vamsoft.com/support/tools/spf-policy-tester you can check if the new SPF-record works.

  • The current spf configuration can be checked on the 'Basic' tab.
  • You can check the new spf record on the 'Advanced' tab.
  • As a result, a 'pass' should appear, any other value can mean that your e-mail from Coachview may not be delivered or may end up in the spam folder.

Testing is already possible without adjusting the dns.


Fill in the following:

  1. IP Address: 212.83.209.204 (note: this is Coachview's current mail server. Can only be used for testing. Do not include this IP address in the spf dns-record.)
  2. Sender Address: your e-mail address.
  3. SPF Policy (Advanced tab): for example v=spf1 include:spf.coachview.net ~all
  4. Click on the button 'Test'.

Test is gelukt.