blog.hugepixels web . internet . design . computer . gadget

How to Use cPanel Account Level Filtering

There's two type of email filtering in cPanel, Account Level Filtering and User Level Filtering.  Account Level Filtering means to filter the email messages SENT TO YOUR DOMAIN and not just specific user/email address.

This cPanel feature is one that I'm utilizing most.  I'm sure all of us hate spam messages and having an idea on how to use this feature will definitely minimize your unwanted messages; Or should I say filter them properly in case some of them are valid emails.

First thing first...

I strongly suggest that you understand EMAIL HEADER.  Please read this article (http://email.about.com/cs/spamgeneral/a/spam_headers.htm) to give you more idea.

Second, set the folder that will catch your spam or suspected messages.  I will assume that you already know how to administer your email accounts.

Lastly, define your filter rules and conditions.

To start using Account Level Filtering, logon to your cPanel...

Click the Account Level Filtering icon...

In the image below, you will notice that I have two sets of filters, the button to Create a New Filter and the Filter Test box where you can paste your email header and test if your filters are working properly.

Let's check the first filter (Confirmed Spam).  Once you click the "Edit" link the next screenshot will show you the configuration area.

1. I set the Filter Name (Confirmed Spam).
2. The first rule is to filter my incoming messages using Spam Score.  If you remember SpamAssassin, 5 is the default value before the system tag the message as spam.
3. The second rule is to filter messages using Spam Bar.  The 5 "(+) plus symbol" is acting like a meter or identifier.

Note: Spam Score and Spam Bar are information available in email header.

4. The Action for this filter is to Discard the message.
5. Once done, don't forget to click the Activate button.

Note: Discarding message is not a recommended action IF you want to review ALL the emails, including spam.  However and based on experience, messages with Spam Score of 5 and/or Spam Bar of +++++ are guaranteed spam.

In addition, here's some HINT from cPanel:

-------
Hint: To filter all mail that SpamAssassin has marked as spam, just choose "Spam Status" and "begins with," then enter "Yes" in the box.

Hint: To filter all mail that SpamAssassin has marked with a spam score of 5.0 or greater, choose "Spam Bar" and "contains," then enter "+++++" in the box. (Note: If you wanted to match a spam score of 4, you would use ++++. A spam score of 3 would be +++, etc.)
-------

If my first filter set is very strict, the second rule is about blocking and re-routing of message.  My set of policies in this filter is for Domains, Emails and IP addresses, so I named my filter (Blocked Domains, Emails and IPs).  Here, I decided to Deliver the suspected messages to a centralize folder.  In my case, I chose the Spam folder of my primary email account.  You can also use the Junk folder or any folder that you like.  I recommend that you re-route all the suspected email to the user/email address that you often use.

You might ask why do I have this second filter.  Well, let's say that I always review all the email header and all these domains, email addresses and IPs doesn't have a Spam Score of 5 and/or Spam Bar +++++ but I find them annoying in my Inbox, so I filter and drop them to my spam folder.  However, I do not want to discard them as some has useful information.

When you start using Account Level Filtering, please explore each drop-down boxes so you will understand your options.  Do not just copy my examples as this might not work to your organization.

Remember, Account Level Filtering will affect your entire organization.  Again, this method will filter ALL the incoming messages of ALL the users/email addresses using your domain name and the action is depending on how you set the rules.