Limit Outgoing Emails and Enable SMTP Authentication

Kee­ping a check on outgoing emails and turning on SMTP authentication are­ vital steps to stop email misuse, bolste­r server security, and boost e-mail reach. By imposing such limitations, we can regulate­ how many emails a user or app sends and guarante­e that only approved users se­nd emails via your server.

Why Limit Outgoing Emails?

a) Prevent Spam: Limiting outgoing emails facilitates lessening the risk of your electronic mail server getting used to ship spam, which may result in blacklisting.

b) Protect Server Resources: By proscribing the variety of emails sent, you can save one consumer or script from overwhelming your server’s assets.

c) Control Email Traffic: It allows you to display and manage e-mail site visitors, preventing misuse through compromised money owed or applications.

Why Enable SMTP Authentication?

SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) authentication ensures that the simplest authorized customers can send emails via your server. Without authentication, unauthorized customers or bots could use your server to ship emails, resulting in junk mail, security risks, or server blacklisting.

Steps to Limit Outgoing Emails

Step 1: Access Your Email Server or Control Panel

a) Log in to your hosting control panel or email server management interface. This could be cPanel, Plesk, or any custom server management tool you are using.

Step 2: Set Outgoing Email Limits (In cPanel or WHM)

1. Navigate to "Tweak Settings" in WHM (Web Host Manager).

2. Scroll down to the Mail section.

3. Find the "Max hourly emails per domain" option. This setting limits the number of emails that can be sent from any domain on the server.

- Set a limit based on your requirements (e.g., 100 or 200 emails per hour).

- This guarantees that no single domain can send an excessive number of emails, stopping spam or server overload.

4. If you are using Plesk or another hosting panel, look for a similar option under the email settings or mail server configuration section.

Step 3: Configure Per-Account Email Limits

1. In WHM, navigate to "Modify an Account" under Account Functions.

2. Select the user account for which you want to limit outgoing emails.0

3. Find the "Hourly Email by Domain Relayed" option and set a limit for that specific account. 

This prevents individual users from sending an excessive number of emails.

Step 4: Monitor Email Usage

1. Regularly reveal outgoing e-mail logs to identify any accounts or scripts that are sending an unusual quantity of emails.

2. In cPanel or WHM, go to "Mail Delivery Reports" or "View Relayers" to check the number of emails being sent per account.

Steps to Enable SMTP Authentication

SMTP Authentication ensures that every email sent from your server is verified with a valid username and password.

Step 1: Access Mail Server Configuration

1. Log in to your website hosting manipulate panel (e.g., cPanel or Plesk) or get the right of entry to your email server configuration documents at once.

Step 2: Enable SMTP Authentication in cPanel

1. Go to "Email Accounts" in cPanel.

2. Click on "Configure Email Client" next to the email account for which you want to enable SMTP authentication.

3. In the configuration details, you'll find SMTP settings. Ensure that the outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication.

4. In your e-mail account (e.g., Outlook, Thunderbird, or Apple Mail), visit the e-mail account settings and permit "My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication.".

- Make sure to use the same login details as your incoming mail server.

Step 3: Enforce SMTP Authentication Globally

1. In WHM, go to "Service Configuration" and select "Exim Configuration Manager".

2. Scroll down to find the "SMTP Authentication" settings.

- Enable the option that requires SMTP authentication for all outgoing emails. This will ensure that all email clients connecting to the server must authenticate before sending emails.

3. In Plesk, go to "Mail Server Settings" and ensure that "Authentication required for outgoing mail" is enabled.

Step 4: Test SMTP Authentication

1. Once SMTP authentication is enabled, test by sending an email from your configured email client. Make sure it prompts for the correct username and password to authenticate with the server.

Benefits of Limiting Emails and Enabling SMTP Authentication

1. Prevents Unauthorized Access: Only legal users can ship emails, decreasing the chance of server abuse.

2. Enhances Security:Prevents hackers from exploiting your mail server to send direct mail or malicious emails.

3. Improves Email Deliverability: Ensures that emails despatched out of your server have a better threat of achieving recipients without being marked as unsolicited mail.

4. Compliance with Best Practices: SMTP authentication and outgoing email limits help your server observe high-quality practices for e-mail security and anti-junk mail policies.

Conclusion

Kee­ping a tight leash on outgoing emails and turning on SMTP authentication is ke­y to having a safe and dependable­ email server. The­se actions keep your se­rver from misuse and boost your email de­livery, dropping the chance of be­ing blacklisted. Checking regularly and corre­ct setup will support your email tasks to carry on without a hitch.