A catch-all address collects any email sent to your domain that does not match an existing mailbox, for example messages to a misspelled or unused address. It ensures you never miss mail, though it should be used thoughtfully to avoid spam. This guide explains how to set it up in DirectAdmin.
What a catch-all does #
If someone emails [email protected] when you only have sales@, a catch-all can still deliver that message rather than bouncing it. You choose where these stray messages go.
Setting up the catch-all #
- Log in to DirectAdmin.
- Go to E-mail Manager and open Catch-All E-mail.
- Choose an option: send to a specific address, ignore/blackhole, or bounce (fail).
- If forwarding, enter the destination mailbox.
- Save.
Choosing the right option #
- Address: deliver stray mail to a chosen mailbox. Good for catching genuine typos.
- Ignore (blackhole): silently discard it. Reduces spam but you see nothing.
- Fail: bounce it back to the sender, which is often the cleanest choice.
A note on spam #
A catch-all set to deliver everything can attract spam, since spammers guess random addresses. Many people prefer “fail” and simply create the specific addresses they need. If you do use a delivery catch-all, pair it with good spam filtering.
Troubleshooting #
- Too much spam: switch the catch-all to fail and create real addresses instead.
- Expected mail not caught: confirm the catch-all is set to an address you check.
Need help? #
If you are unsure how to configure your catch-all, our support team can advise over live chat.
