MX record priority increases as the number increases. (True/False.)

In DNS Mail Exchanger (MX) records, the priority is determined by a preference number. Contrary to the statement, a lower preference number indicates a higher priority. Mail Transfer Agents (MTAs) attempting to deliver email to a domain will try the mail server with the lowest preference number first. If that server is unavailable, they will proceed to the server with the next lowest number, and so on. Therefore, priority increases as the number decreases.

True: This is incorrect. A higher number in an MX record signifies a lower priority, making it a backup mail server.

- Klensin, J. (2008). RFC 5321: Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. IETF. Section 5.1, "Locating the Target Host," states, "The MX RRs contain a preference value that indicates the order in which to try the hosts... The lower the number, the higher the preference."

- Partridge, C. (1986). RFC 974: Mail Routing and the Domain System. IETF. This earlier RFC established the principle that lower preference values are tried first.

- Liu, C., & Albitz, P. (2006). DNS and BIND (5th ed.). O'Reilly Media. Chapter 5, "DNS and Electronic Mail," provides a detailed explanation and examples of MX record preference values. (Note: While a commercial publisher, this text is considered a foundational academic and professional reference in the field).