SPF records, or Sender Policy Framework records, are a type of DNS (Domain Name System) record used to prevent email spoofing. They specify which mail servers are authorized to send emails on behalf of a domain. By checking the SPF record, receiving mail servers can verify if an incoming email is from a legitimate source. When an email is sent, the recipient's server looks up the SPF record for the sender's domain. If the sending server is listed in the SPF record, the email is more likely to be trusted. This helps reduce spam and phishing attacks, protecting both senders and recipients.