Filtering unwanted e-mail (spam) in cPanel

Spam can clutter your inbox, waste storage space, and sometimes hide malicious content. cPanel provides built‑in Spam Filters and Email Filters to help you manage unwanted messages effectively.

Step 1: Enable Spam Filters

1. Log in to cPanel.

2. On the Tools page, go to Email → Spam Filters.

3. Toggle Enable Spam Filters.

   • This activates Apache SpamAssassin, which scores incoming messages based on spam characteristics.

Step 2: Decide How to Handle Spam

Spam Filters can either:

• Automatically delete spam → risky, because legitimate messages may be lost (false positives).

• Redirect spam to a folder → safer, because you can review messages later.

 Recommended: Redirect spam to a Spam folder instead of deleting.

Step 3: Create a Spam Folder

1. Access your e‑mail account via Webmail or your e‑mail client (Outlook, Thunderbird, etc.).

2. Create a folder named Spam.

3. If using an external client, subscribe to the folder so it appears in your mailbox.

Step 4: Add a Filter Rule

1. Log in to cPanel → Email Filters.

2. Locate the account you want to filter → click Manage Filters.

3. Click Create a New Filter.

4. Configure the rule:

   • Filter Name → e.g., Spam Filter.

   • Rules →

     • Change first dropdown from From → Spam Status.

     • Change second dropdown from contains → begins with.

     • Enter Yes in the text box.

   • Actions → Select Deliver to Folder → choose the Spam folder.

5. Click Create.

Advanced Filtering (Optional)

• Use Spam Score instead of Spam Status for more granular control.

  • Example:

    • Redirect messages with score > 5 to Spam folder.

    • Delete messages with score > 8.

• Combine multiple rules for different thresholds.