Changes are coming for Google/Yahoo email security requirements. What does this mean for you? 

Effective February 1, 2024, Google, Yahoo, and other providers of webmail accounts will require other email servers to have security best practices set up. This requirement is specifically intended for those who use bulk email to reduce spam from unauthenticated sources.

What are the security best practices for email?

There are three different records that need to be set up in your public DNS server. These work to prove the authenticity of your email and help prevent spammers from spoofing your addresses as well as helping to minimize unauthorized email from reaching you.

• You will need a DMARC record. This simply authenticates your email to others, like Google or Yahoo, and gives them a brief instruction what to do if someone spoofs emails from you.
• You will also need an SPF record. It is an additional authentication record and tells the rest of the world what servers are authorized by you to send and receive email.
• Finally, a DKIM record is highly recommended. This is a strong authentication record using public keys and digital signatures. This record requires some additional technical work and cost, but is well worth it.

Why don’t I have these records set up already?

Prior to the announcement by Google and Yahoo, very few major email providers required the use of these records. Unless there was a specific need to configure the records, very few companies did it.

What if I don’t get the records set up?

If you employ bulk mailing to communicate with customers or for marketing campaigns, the bulk mailing will fail. Simply put, Google and Yahoo will assume these emails are spam and reject them.

Even if you don’t use bulk emailing, there is a possibility that your emails may fail if sent to any email provider that requires these records. The best option is set up the records as it will also help to minimize spam and eliminate domain spoofing of your email.

How can I get the records set up?

That’s easy! Just contact Networks Plus and one of our amazing technicians will get them set up for you. We will need access to the DNS server you use in order to set the records up, so please share that information when you contact us.

If you have any questions, please contact our Support Team at support@networksplus.com.