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Questions
and Answers about MSN, Hotmail, and Sender ID
MSN recently implemented phase one of its Sender ID authentication
process. BlueHornet has been anticipating Sender ID implementation,
and we fully support Microsoft's efforts to reduce unsolicited emails
to their users.
Here are some questions you may have about Sender ID, specifically focusing on whether your emails are affected by MSN's most recent measures.
What is Sender ID?
You've probably seen or received those phony emails that claim to come from your bank or credit card company. Among other techniques used to dupe unsuspecting recipients, crooks forge the "from" address on the email in an attempt to steal valuable personal information from people who think the message is legitimate.
Sender ID is the method MSN uses to check whether emails are actually coming from the company they say they're coming from by confirming that the visible "from" address matches the sender's backend Sender Policy Framework (SPF) records.
Sender ID is expected to reduce the number of victims who fall prey to these "phishers" or "spoofers." Microsoft says Sender ID will also benefit legitimate emailers by helping protect their "from" address against spoofing.
What happens if my visible "from" address and my SPF records don't match?
As of this publication date, emails with inconsistencies between "from"
addresses and SPF records are being flagged by MSN/Hotmail. Flagged
emails should still make it to your recipients' inbox, but the flags
will be visible to recipients and they may call into question the
validity of your email's source.
Click here for an example of a flagged message.
In the months to come, we expect MSN/Hotmail to completely block or filter the types of emails that they are now flagging.
I send email through an ESP using the ESP's domain name in the "from" line. Are my emails currently affected by Sender ID implementation?
If the visible "from" address for your emails ends in @youresp.com, your emails are probably not currently being flagged because of Sender ID. However, we recommend that your IT team set up your SPF record to include your ESP's mail server IPs in your "Outbound Mail Server Addresses" using the Microsoft setup wizard at http://anti-spamtools.org/
I send email through an ESP, but I use my own domain name in the "from" line.
Because the visible "from" line (@yourcompany.com) for your emails is different than the one shown in your SPF records, your emails will likely be flagged before delivery. You can stop message flagging by creating a SPF record for your domain that tells Microsoft that your ESP's mail servers are allowed to send mail for your domain. Contact your ESP about setting up your SPF record to include their mail servers.
I send emails myself, through my own system. Are my emails currently affected by Sender ID implementation?
If you use your own domain in the visible "from" line (@yourcompany.com) and that "from" address matches the one shown in your SPF records, your emails are probably not currently being flagged because of Sender ID. However, we recommend that you visit http://anti-spamtools.org/ to check your SPF record.
I'm already SPF compliant. Do I need to do anything else?
Yes. Sender ID requires that you specify your outgoing mail servers. You need to add the appropriate mail server IPs to your "Outbound Mail Server Addresses" SPF records. You can view and update your record at Microsoft's Sender ID site: http://anti-spamtools.org/
What has BlueHornet done so far to ensure Sender ID compliance?
- BlueHornet has complied to Sender ID/SPF standards for our own email servers and for outbound emails that are not using a custom "from" address.
- We've individually assisted clients with custom email addresses to make sure their messages aren't getting flagged.
- We've worked closely with our allies at Microsoft, conducting due diligence procedures while waiting to get a clear, complete understanding of exactly what this recent news means to each of our clients and partners.
What does BlueHornet plan to do to make sure Hotmail subscribers will continue to receive emails from my company?
One key thing we'll do to ensure good long-term MSN/Hotmail delivery
is to make sure BlueHornet clients and partners are compliant now,
while flagged messages are still making it to inboxes.
But most importantly, we'll take steps to ensure your excellent deliverability no matter what authentication or spam protection measures Microsoft or anyone else takes in the future. How? We'll continue to wage our company's personal fight against unsolicited email by maintaining a pristine sending history, fostering good relationships with ISPs, and continuing our strong advocacy of double opt-in confirmation and responsible list building practices.
Please don't hesitate to contact BlueHornet to verify your Sender ID/SPF compliance. We'll gladly provide any assistance you need. We also encourage you to contact us if you have questions or concerns about Sender ID, double opt-in, or any other issues with your email delivery.
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