DNS Pulse Sentinel
[RESOLVING ENDPOINT RECORDSETS... ] Evaluate your domain's email deliverability and security integrity.
The Triad of Email Authentication: MX, SPF, and DMARC
Domain Name System (DNS) records translate human-friendly domain names into IP addresses and declare authoritative email routing policies. Implementing strict Sender Policy Framework (SPF), DKIM public keys, and DMARC enforcement policies protects your domain reputation against phishing and prevents transactional emails from landing in spam folders.
1. Recursive DNS Record Querying
Our resolver queries authoritative root nameservers for A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT, NS, and SOA record types.
Query: TXT @domain.com -> v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all2. SPF & DKIM Policy Validation
We analyze SPF syntax, record count (preventing multiple SPF records), and the 10-lookup DNS evaluation limit that causes hard permerrors.
SPF Evaluation: Max 10 DNS Lookups Allowed3. DMARC Alignment & Enforcement
We verify that your DMARC record exists at _dmarc.domain.com with valid policy flags (p=reject / p=quarantine) and aggregate reporting (rua).
v=DMARC1; p=reject; rua=mailto:dmarc@domain.comCommon DNS & Email Deliverability Misconfigurations
Multiple SPF TXT Records
RFC ViolationPublishing more than one SPF TXT record violates RFC 7208 and causes receiving mail servers (Google, Microsoft) to reject the SPF check with a PermError.
SPF Exceeding 10 DNS Lookup Limit
Lookup LimitIncluding multiple third-party email providers (Google, SendGrid, Zendesk, Mailchimp) can push nested DNS lookups over the 10-lookup threshold.
DMARC Policy Set to p=none
Weak SecurityA policy of p=none monitors spoofing attempts but does not protect your domain. Major mail providers require p=quarantine or p=reject for bulk senders.
Dangling CNAME / Subdomain Takeover
DNS HijackPointing a subdomain CNAME to a deleted third-party service (S3 bucket, GitHub Pages, Heroku) allows attackers to claim the host and hijack traffic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about DNS Record Analyzer and network reliability best practices.
Why are my emails going to Gmail or Yahoo spam folders?
Google and Yahoo enforce strict email sender requirements: all transactional and marketing emails must have valid SPF, DKIM, and DMARC alignment, low spam rates (<0.3%), and one-click unsubscribe headers.
What is the difference between SPF softfail (~all) and hardfail (-all)?
Softfail (~all) signals that unauthorized IPs should be accepted with scrutiny, while hardfail (-all) strictly instructs receiving mail servers to reject unauthorized senders.
How long does DNS record propagation take?
DNS propagation depends on the TTL (Time to Live) set on the existing record, typically ranging from 300 seconds (5 minutes) to 86,400 seconds (24 hours).
Can SteadyStack monitor my DNS records for unauthorized changes?
Yes. SteadyStack monitors DNS resolution, nameserver responses, and record values, immediately alerting you to DNS hijacking, TTL expiration, or unexpected record deletions.
Automate Your Monitoring 24/7 with SteadyStack
Don't wait for manual tests. SteadyStack pings your endpoints from global edge locations every 60 seconds with quorum consensus to eliminate false alarms.