How do setup a catch-all e-mail address for my domain?

How do setup a catch-all e-mail address for my domain?

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Article 4 (13:39 Oct 5th, 2005)

The catch-all e-mail setting allows a single e-mail address to receive all improperly addressed e-mail for one domain (i.e. anything@example.com). This only works with unknown addresses; if you have created a specific e-mail address (sales@example.com, mail@example.com) these will be un-affected by the catch-all setting.

When any domain is created on our servers, they are set, by default, to bounce (i.e. return) all e-mails back to the sender with the message "This address no longer accepts mail" when the address isn't recognised. To change this you will need to update the Mail Preferences on our servers.

Also note that when using a catch-all setting, you should be careful onto which address you forward the e-mails. As SPAM is often sent to a random address (common ones being mail@, webmaster@, sales@, info@, etc.), you may find that the forwarded account receives a lot of SPAM not originally intended for it. This can overload the account depending on it's settings.

Setup Catch-all

  • First, log onto the Plesk Control Panel (all details can be found in the 'Account Details' e-mail, dispatched to you when your account is activated).
  • If you have logged on at the Client Level (this is the default level), please click on the name of the domain you wish to add the e-mail address to. This will load the domain's settings page.
  • Now click on the Mail icon, followed by the Preferences tab on the following page.
  • To setup catch-all, select Catch to address and enter the e-mail address of the account in the field provided.
  • Click OK.

The change is instant and all unknown e-mails will now be forwarded to the chosen account as soon as they come in.

To disable Catch-All, follow the steps above and instead of "Catch to address" tick the box next to "Reject". Saves you some trouble if you get spam sent to nonexisting users at your domain.

Posted By Paul Voth
 (21:57 Dec 12th, 2005)