Blog Post

Let’s talk about DNS. Not the Do Not Start kind. I mean Domain Name System—the unsung hero of the internet and the silent gatekeeper of your email security.

If your IT team or MSP (Managed Services Provider) doesn’t have their DNS game tight, your business is basically sending emails with a “kick me” sign taped to its back.

So, what is a DNS host?

It’s like the internet’s phonebook — it translates human-friendly domain names (like google.com) into IP addresses (like 142.250.190.14) that computers use to identify each other on the network.

Big DNS hosts include:

• Cloudflare
• Google Domains
• GoDaddy

These companies manage the records that tell the internet how to find your website, send your emails, and verify your identity.

Why DNS is the MVP of Email Security

Your DNS settings are where you prove to the world: “Yes, I am who I say I am.” If they’re misconfigured, you’re vulnerable to:

• Spoofing
• Phishing
• Email blacklisting
• Deliverability issues

The Four DNS Records That Matter (and What They Do)

Let’s break it down like a sitcom cast:

1. A Record – The “Address” guy. Points your domain to your website’s IP. If this is wrong, your site’s basically lost in the woods.

2. MX Record – The “Mailroom Manager.” Tells the internet where to deliver your email. Misconfigured? Your emails go poof.

3. SPF Record – The “Bouncer.” Lists which servers/authorized ‘Senders’ e.g. Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Google) that can send email on your behalf. No list? Anyone can pretend to be you.

4. DKIM Record – The “Signature Expert.” Adds a cryptographic signature to your emails. No DKIM? Your emails look shady.

Bonus: DMARC – The “Security Chief.” Tells receiving servers what to do if SPF or DKIM fail. Without it, you’re not enforcing your own rules.

Want to Check If Your MSP/IT Staff Configured Your DNS Host Properly?

Here are some tools that make it easy:

• MXToolbox.com – Run a full DNS health check.

• EasyDMARC.com – See if your SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are configured correctly.

• Google Admin Toolbox – Great for DNS lookups and troubleshooting.

If your MSP hasn’t set-up nor explained what these records do or why they matter, it might be time to ask: WTF is the BFD with our DNS – and how do I get answers quickly?

We help decoding your DNS setup or evaluating your provider’s competence? Drop a comment or DM me.

Let’s make sure you keep your business safe.

#DNS
#EmailSecurity
#CyberSecurity
#ExpectWhatYouInspect