topic Re: SPF Record in Email

SPF Record

PeterAJ — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 17:06:57 GMT

Over the last year or so, whenever I send an email to a gmail.com address it bounces back with this message:

"To verify messages are authenticated, Google performs checks on messages sent to Gmail accounts. To improve email delivery, we recommend that you always set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for your domains”

My domain is at CentralNic are they are saying:

Your domain westwinds.uk.com is on the nameservers below - you would need to speak with your mail provider for this domain (your MX entry points to mx.avasin.plus.net ) and once they have provided you with the correct SPF record to add into your zone you would do so through your nameserver provider.

ns1.force9.net.
ns2.force9.net.

My question to the Community is - How do I implement the advice I've been given. Please bear in mind I'm a novice in these matters. Many thanks.

Re: SPF Record

MisterW — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 17:36:09 GMT

Start by reading through this thread https://community.plus.net/t5/Email/Cannot-send-to-gmail-addresses/m-p/1934005#M44287 and then come back with questions

Re: SPF Record

PeterAJ — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 17:40:35 GMT

Thanks MisterW

I've amended my email setting per "Mitigating email delivery failures (notably Gmail)" but emails to @gmail.com addresses still bounce back.

How can I check the new setting is correctly configured?

Or can I try something else?

Re: SPF Record

MisterW — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 18:05:34 GMT

@PeterAJ I checked here https://mxtoolbox.com/SuperTool.aspx?action=mx%3awestwinds.uk.com&run=toolpage

Select SPF record lookup from the drop-down and click

It's looks ok to me. I assume you are sending via the Plusnet servers relay.plus.net ?

When did you make the DNS change ,? The script to create the SPF record only runs every 6 hours , is it possible that it hadn't run when you tried sending to Gmail ?

Re: SPF Record

PeterAJ — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 19:20:48 GMT

I actually use my Broadband Provider Zen Internet's outgoing server " mailhost.zen.co.uk ". Do you know how I can create an SPF Record we them please?

Many thanks.

Re: SPF Record

jab1 — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 19:26:08 GMT

Try asking Zen?

Re: SPF Record

PeterAJ — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 19:41:13 GMT

Oh yes, thanks jab1 - I forgot to think!

Re: SPF Record

MisterW — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 19:50:41 GMT

Do you know how I can create an SPF Record we them please?

Basically , you can't! Theres no facility to create TXT records on a domain hosted by Plusnet. For a PN hosted domain you need to use relay.plus.net to send email.

Try asking Zen?

It won't help I'm afraid, whilst they will advise on the contents of the SPF record, due to the above, there's no means to create it!

Re: SPF Record

jab1 — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 19:56:39 GMT

I understand that, @MisterW , but the OP's domain is hosted at CentalNic shouldn't he transfer his mail hosting to them, or am I being totally thick?😉

Re: SPF Record

MisterW — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 07:20:57 GMT

but the OP's domain is hosted at CentalNic

It may be registered at CentalMic BUT its hosted at PN. The nameservers are set to force9, indicating its hosted at PN. Some hosting providers will allow you to use other nameservers but PN doesn't, you must use the PN ones

shouldn't he transfer his mail hosting to them

I suspect CentalNic are only offereing a basic registration package, but yes, it probably would be better to move the hosting. It's certainly not a good idea to use an smtp server i.e Zen other than where the domain email is hosted.

Re: SPF Record

jab1 — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 07:19:37 GMT

Cheers - I'm being totally thick, then.😀

Re: SPF Record

Townman — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 19:43:08 GMT

@jab1

No you are not being totally thick ... the information provided is very confusing.

The OP quite clearly suggests that the SMTP server in use is Plusnet's and all the advice given was in that context, including creating a SPF record.

Then this was dropped into the mix ...

@PeterAJ wrote:

I actually use my Broadband Provider Zen Internet's outgoing server " mailhost.zen.co.uk ".

So we seem to have...

A domain name registered with Instra Corporation Pty Ltd
Using Plusnet's name server
Using Plusnet for inbound mail (MX = mx.avasin.plus.net)
Having SPF configured for Plusnet's SMTP servers
... but apparently using the OP's broadband provider's (Zen) out going SMTP server

Such is clearly going to cause Gmail to grumble a great deal.

The reference to the OP's ISP being Zen does raise the question of the status of the use of the Plusnet email service - is this on a legacy (retained free email account) or is this still a live account over which broadband is provided at the same or another premises?

No John, you are not thick; looking at the information which has been disclosed in the evolving conversation, I think that the scenario is somewhat unclear, regarding an issue which has been on going for a year or so. I suspect that through that year there is useful history about changes which have not yet been shared.

Re: SPF Record

PeterAJ — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 13:56:40 GMT

Many thanks for all the helpful comments so far.

My Plusnet hosting is the free legacy one.

Have contacted Zen Internet with whom I have Broadband and I use their outgoing server for emails. Their response is:

" As we do not host the email we are unable to add the SPF record, we'd suggest speaking to PlusNet for assistance. It would also be worth using the PlusNet mail servers to send/receive emails."

I think it makes sense for me to move all my hosting, both domains and emails, to one provider. Perhaps they should be in the UK. My use is solely personal, no business use, and I would like to use a firm who are both free or low price and with a good reputation. Who would you recommend please?

Re: SPF Record

jab1 — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 14:03:05 GMT

Why not ask Zen what they would offer you?

Re: SPF Record

MisterW — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 14:16:49 GMT

I think it makes sense for me to move all my hosting, both domains and emails, to one provider. Perhaps they should be in the UK.

Take a look at Mythic beasts https://www.mythic-beasts.com/hosting , paid annually £20/yr for email only , £30 if you need web hosting as well. £7.20 domain registration

Re: SPF Record

Townman — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 15:45:12 GMT

@PeterAJ wrote:

Many thanks for all the helpful comments so far.

My Plusnet hosting is the free legacy one.

Have contacted Zen Internet with whom I have Broadband and I use their outgoing server for emails. Their response is:

" As we do not host the email we are unable to add the SPF record, we'd suggest speaking to PlusNet for assistance. It would also be worth using the PlusNet mail servers to send/receive emails."

Why are you trying to use Zen's outgoing server for the domain hosted with Plusnet?

For the Plusnet hosted domain, you CAN control the SPF record but for that to be useful you MUST use the Plusnet SMTP service. Zen have given you good clear advice - if the domain is hosted by Plusnet, use Plusnet's servers, not Zen's.

Re: SPF Record

PeterAJ — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 15:43:23 GMT

Thank you so much MisterW for that suggestion.

I have started using them for hosting domain name/emails and have setup an SPF Record.

My emails to ....@gmail.com no longer bounce back - hooray!

Thank you also to all the other contributors, you've all been a great help

With gratitude. Peter

Re: SPF Record

Townman — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 15:53:37 GMT

Having everything "under one roof" should make life much simpler. Hosting in one place and using a SMTP server somewhere else invariably leads to tears. Good luck with the new setup.

Re: SPF Record

MisterW — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 16:17:59 GMT

I have started using them for hosting domain name/emails and have setup an SPF Record.

@PeterAJ you should also enable DKIM , see details here https://www.mythic-beasts.com/support/hosting/mail/spf

Re: SPF Record

PeterAJ — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 17:58:59 GMT

Thanks MisterW.

I've just checked and DKIM is enabled.