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How do I set up a catch-all mail alias?
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Explanation of a Catch-All Alias
Creating a "catch-all" alias will get all mail for e-mail addresses that are not already defined as aliases. Therefore, it will send all mail to the alias, except for addresses that are already defined as aliases.For example, lets say you have this setup:
- Users:
- jeff
- bill
- fred
- Aliases:
- support (goes to jeff)
- help (goes to bill and fred)
Now, if you were to create a "catch-all" alias, all messages would go to that alias except for mail to support and help.
Let's say you didn't want mail to jeff, bill, and fred to go to the catch-all alias either. Then you would set it up like this:
- Users:
- jeff
- bill
- fred
- Aliases:
- jeff (goes to jeff)
- bill (goes to bill)
- fred (goes to fred)
- support (goes to jeff)
- help (goes to bill and fred)
Now, when you create the catch-all, it will skip all those aliases, so it will only catch the mail destined for somebody besides them. Since all your users also have aliases defined for them, they will continue getting mail as normal.
How to Create a Catch-All Alias
To create a catch-all alias for a domain, go to Home|Services|Mail|Aliases|Create. Leave the Alias field blank and select the domain. Enter one or more addresses that will receive mail for the catch-all account. When you are done, hit Return. Now, do a Store and Commit, and the catch-all alias will begin working.Caveats to setting up a Catch-All Alias
There are two problems with catch-all accounts. These are not due to NetMAX's implementation, but the nature of this type of account on a standard Linux system.Since the account will be catching ALL mail that is directed to the domain, it will catch a great deal of mail that isn't useful. This will be mostly comprised of spam, which is being sent in increasing amount every day. Many spammers don't verify accounts before sending mail to them. By accepting all mail to the domain, you will be getting a much larger amount of spam. This places a large burden on your computer as it needs to process all that mail. It also can quickly fill up your storage space if you aren't proactive about getting rid of it. There is also the issue of taking the time to deal with all the extra mail.
The second possible problem with Catch-All accounts was stated above, though not so explicitly. That is, it will override all system accounts. The instructions above explain how to overcome this by creating an alias for each user. Its important to note it as a problem, even though it does have a work around, however. Creating a catch all account without knowing the implications can have the consequence of users no longer receiving their e-mail otherwise.
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