TXT records are an essential part of keeping your domain secure and up-to-date. To protect against malicious actors, get an email or website verification, or gain access to custom hostnames, a correctly configured TXT record is necessary. But what exactly is a TXT record, when do we use it, and what types of records exist? In this blog post, you’llyou’ll find out the answers to these questions and more so you can ensure your domain is always safe and secure.
What is a TXT Record?
A TXT record (or Text Record) is a type of Domain Name System (DNS) record that is used to provide additional text-based information about a domain name. This allows domain owners to publish certain types of information to the DNS, as well as configure server settings, such as email and website hostnames. When correctly set up, a TXT record can help protect against malicious actors and maintain the security of a domain. Additionally, because TXT records can be used to input custom values and text, the information stored in them can be used for authentication purposes, such as verifying a sender’ssender’s identity or preventing spam.
How to start managing your TXT record?
When do we use it?
TXT records are commonly used for security purposes and can be used for various tasks, such as email authentication, SSL/TLS certificates, and website verification. For example, an SPF record can be configured in a TXT Record to help verify that emails received from a particular domain are sent from that domain, not from a malicious actor. Similarly, DMARC records can be used to help increase the security of a domain even further. Beyond security, TXT records can also be used to set up custom hostnames and provide additional information about a domain.
What types of TXT records exist?
TXT Records can be used for various tasks, and a few different types of records are commonly employed. These include:
- Sender Policy Framework (SPF) records help verify that emails received from a particular domain were actually sent from that domain.
- DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM) records help authenticate emails and prevent spoofing.
- Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance (DMARC) record improve a domain’sdomain’s security.
- Hostname Records allows custom hostnames to be used for websites, emails, and other services.
TXT record and its relation with the other DNS records
TXT record vs. A record
A records and TXT records both serve different functions. TXT records provide additional information about a domain, such as domain verification and custom hostnames, while A records store information about the IP address of the server hosting a website. While both are used for connecting to a domain, A records are primarily used for routing web traffic, while TXT records are used for additional details about a domain.
TXT record vs. MX record
MX records and TXT records both serve different functions. TXT records provide additional information about a domain, such as domain verification and custom hostnames, while MX records store information about which mail server is responsible for receiving emails for a domain. While both are used for email communication, MX records are primarily used for routing emails, while TXT records are used for additional details about a domain.
Conclusion
Without TXT records, domains can be vulnerable to malicious actors, spam, and restricted from taking advantage of specific verification methods and services. So, it’s essential to know the value they give and how to implement it with other DNS records. Good luck!