SPF (Sender Policy Framework) is an email authentication standard that lets a domain publish which mail servers are allowed to send email on its behalf.
Receiving mail systems can check SPF records to detect and reduce email spoofing.
Why it matters for account recovery
SPF matters because many phishing and impersonation attacks succeed by spoofing a trusted brand or a business domain. SPF helps receivers decide whether a message is plausibly authorized.
For organizations, SPF is part of a broader anti-impersonation posture that also includes DKIM and DMARC.
Common failure modes and misconceptions
- Assuming SPF is enough: SPF alone does not prevent all spoofing and does not protect message integrity end-to-end.
- Misconfigured senders: If legitimate senders are not included, SPF can reduce deliverability or create false confidence.
- Ignoring alignment: SPF results can be complicated by forwarding and by domain alignment rules enforced via DMARC.
Safe best practices
- Maintain an accurate SPF record for your domain, including all legitimate sending services.
- Pair SPF with DKIM and DMARC for a complete anti-spoofing posture.
- Treat email authentication as a phishing reduction control, not a replacement for user verification training (see phishing).
Related terms
Related guides
SPF helps receivers detect spoofing, but it is only one control in an impersonation defense stack. The goal is fewer successful lures and faster detection when they occur.