Mail filtering is a critical component of WHM cPanel that allows you to manage incoming email messages. This knowledge base provides comprehensive information about setting up and managing mail filter rules to enhance email security and organization.

Understanding Mail Filter Rules

What are Mail Filter Rules?

Mail filter rules, also known as email filters, are a set of conditions and actions that allow you to automatically process incoming emails based on predefined criteria. These rules can help manage spam, organize emails, and improve the overall efficiency of your email system.

Common Use Cases for Mail Filters

1. Spam Protection: Automatically move suspected spam emails to the spam folder or delete them.

2. Organizing Emails: Sort incoming emails into specific folders based on sender, subject, or content.

3. Forwarding: Automatically forward emails that meet certain criteria to specific recipients.

4. Auto-Reply: Set up automatic responses for specific types of emails, like out-of-office messages.

Setting Up Mail Filter Rules

Accessing Mail Filters in cPanel

1. Login to cPanel.

2. Navigate to Email > Email Filters.

Creating a New Mail Filter Rule

1. Click on "Create a New Filter".

2. Define Filter Rules:

   • Specify conditions (e.g., sender, subject, body).

   • Choose actions (e.g., move to folder, delete, forward).

3. Set Rule Priority:

   • Define the order in which filters are applied (lower numbers are applied first).

4. Save the Filter.

Examples of Mail Filter Rules

1. Moving Spam to a Spam Folder:

   • Condition: "Subject" contains "SPAM".

   • Action: Move to folder "Spam".

2. Forwarding Emails from a Specific Sender:

   • Condition: "From" contains "example@example.com".

   • Action: Forward to "forwarded@example.com".

3. Auto-Reply for Out-of-Office:

   • Condition: "Subject" contains "Out of Office".

   • Action: Reply with a message.

Advanced Filtering Techniques

Regular Expressions

1. Using Regular Expressions:

   • Enable the "This filter matches with" option and select "custom" to use regular expressions for more complex filtering.

SpamAssassin Integration

1. Configuring SpamAssassin:

   • Access WHM > ConfigServer Security & Firewall > cPanel.

2. Enabling SpamAssassin:

   • In WHM, navigate to Home > Service Configuration > Exim Configuration Manager > Basic Editor.

   • Set "Apache SpamAssassin: Enabled" to "On".

Managing Existing Mail Filters

Editing Filters

1. Select the Filter to Edit.

2. Make the necessary changes to conditions or actions.

3. Click "Save".

Deleting Filters

1. Select the Filter to Delete.

2. Click "Delete".

Disabling Filters

1. Toggle Filter Status:

   • To temporarily disable a filter, uncheck the box next to the filter name.

Testing Mail Filters

Send Test Emails

1. Send Test Emails:

   • Send emails that match the conditions of your filters to ensure they are being processed correctly.

Review Logs

1. Check Filter Logs:

   • Access WHM > Mail > Mail Delivery Reports to review logs and track filter actions.

Conclusion

Effectively utilizing mail filter rules in WHM cPanel is crucial for maintaining a streamlined and secure email system. By following the guidelines provided in this knowledge base, you can set up, manage, and optimize mail filters to meet your specific requirements. Regularly reviewing and testing filters will help ensure the smooth operation of your email environment.