Spam emails not only clutter your inbox but can also pose security risks. cPanel offers two powerful, built‑in tools Spam Filters (powered by SpamAssassin) and BoxTrapper to help you keep unwanted messages at bay. In this hands‑on guide, we’ll walk through configuring both tools so you can enjoy a cleaner, safer email experience.

Why Use cPanel’s Spam Filters and BoxTrapper?

• Spam Filters (SpamAssassin): Uses a scoring system and a wide array of tests (blacklists, header analysis, Bayesian filtering) to automatically flag or discard spam.
• BoxTrapper: Requires senders to complete a verification challenge before their messages reach your inbox, ensuring only legitimate correspondents get through.

By combining both, you add automated filtering and human verification, drastically reducing false negatives.

Prerequisites

• An active cPanel account with email hosting enabled.
• A valid email account for which you want to configure anti‑spam measures.
• Basic familiarity with the cPanel dashboard.

Part 1: Configuring Spam Filters

1.1 Enable SpamAssassin

1. Log in to cPanel.
2. Scroll to the Email section and click Spam Filters.
3. Click Enable Spam Filters (if not already active).
   

Once enabled, cPanel will begin analyzing incoming mail against SpamAssassin’s ruleset.

1.2 Adjust Spam Threshold Score

1. Under Spam Filters, locate Spam Threshold Score.
2. The default is 5. Lower the score (e.g., to 3) for stricter filtering or raise it (e.g., to 7) to reduce false positives.
3. Click Update Spam Preferences.
   

Messages scoring at or above your threshold will be treated as spam.

1.3 Configure Automatic Filtering Actions

Under Additional Configurations:

• Auto-Delete Spam: Select this to automatically discard messages classified as spam.
• Required Score to Auto-Delete: Set a higher score to auto-delete only the most egregious spam.

Tip: Test with milder settings initially to ensure legitimate mail isn’t accidentally deleted.

1.4 Whitelist and Blacklist Addresses

1. In Spam Filters, scroll to Whitelist (Always Accept) and Blacklist (Always Block).
2. Add addresses or domains (one per line):
   • Whitelist: trusted@partner.com
   • Blacklist: annoyingspammer@example.net
3. Click Update Whitelist (or Blacklist) Settings.

Part 2: Setting Up BoxTrapper

2.1 Enable BoxTrapper for an Email Account

1. In cPanel, navigate to Email → BoxTrapper™.
   
2. Under Manage Bounce Settings, ensure Process Spam with BoxTrapper is active.
3. Scroll to your desired email account and click Manage.

2.2 Configure Challenge‑Response Settings

1. Enable BoxTrapper: Toggle it on for this account.
2. Approved Senders: Add addresses you never want to challenge (e.g., coworkers, clients).
3. Blocked Senders: Any sender on this list will have their messages discarded without a challenge.

2.3 Customize the Challenge Message

1. In the Challenge Filters section, edit the default message to suit your tone:
   

   “To verify you are a real sender, could you please reply to this email?”

2. Save your changes.

2.4 Review Pending Messages

• BoxTrapper places unverified messages in a Held Mail queue.
• Periodically log in to BoxTrapper™ → View/Respond to Mail to approve or delete held messages.

Part 3: Best Practices and Maintenance

• Combine Tools Intelligently
  Use SpamAssassin as your first line of defense; use BoxTrapper for accounts that receive high-value correspondence and are prone to targeted spam.
• Monitor Logs
  Check Mail Deliverability and Track Delivery in cPanel to troubleshoot misclassified mail.
• Regularly Update Whitelists
  Add new contacts as approved senders in both Spam Filters and BoxTrapper.
• Educate Users
  Advise anyone sharing the mailbox on how to release legitimate mail from the held queue.

Conclusion

By enabling Spam Filters and BoxTrapper, you create a dual‑layered defense against unsolicited email: automated scoring and human‑verification. This approach not only reduces inbox clutter but also shields you from phishing attempts and malicious attachments. Implement these settings today and reclaim your inbox from spam.