A default address (also known as a catch-all) handles email sent to any address at your domain that doesn't have a specific mailbox or forwarder configured. For example, if someone emails [email protected] and that address doesn't exist, the catch-all determines what happens to it.
Please note: Screens and options may vary slightly depending on your cPanel version and hosting plan.
Configuring the Default Address
- Log in to your cPanel account.
- In the Email section, click Default Address.
- Select the Domain.
- Choose how to handle unrouted email:
- Discard with error to sender (recommended) — Rejects the message with a bounce-back notification. This is the most secure option. - Forward to email address — Sends undelivered mail to a specific mailbox. This effectively creates a catch-all. - Pipe to a program — Passes the message to a script for processing.
- Click Change.
Should You Use a Catch-All?
Arguments against (and why "Discard with error" is recommended):
- Catch-all addresses receive enormous amounts of spam. Spammers often try random usernames at known domains, and all of that junk will land in your catch-all mailbox.
- This can consume significant disk space and make it harder to find legitimate messages.
- It can contribute to your server being flagged for spam if the volume is high enough.
When a catch-all might be useful:
- During initial setup, to ensure you don't miss any email while you're still creating accounts.
- If your business frequently receives email to misspelled or ad-hoc addresses (e.g. from printed materials with typos).
- For temporary use during a domain migration, to catch stragglers.
Tips
- If you do use a catch-all, monitor it closely and create proper email accounts or forwarders for any legitimate addresses you discover.
- Consider using a dedicated, low-priority mailbox as the catch-all target, separate from your main inbox.
- Review and disable the catch-all once you've confirmed all necessary accounts and forwarders are in place.
What Next?
- Setting Up Email Forwarders — Route specific addresses without a catch-all.
- Managing Spam Filters — Deal with spam that reaches a catch-all mailbox.
