Handle mail sent to nonexistent addresses
Reject invalid recipients or collect their mail in a catch-all address.
Where Tools → Email → Default Address
Before you start
- Decide whether you really need a catch-all; it can attract substantial spam.
- This setting affects nonexistent addresses, not existing mailboxes.
Steps
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1
Open Default Address and select the domain under Send all unrouted email.
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2
Read Current Setting before changing it.
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3
To reject invalid recipients, choose Discard the email while your server processes it by SMTP time with an error message. Review the Failure Message.
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4
Open Advanced Options only for a specific need, such as a system mailbox or program pipe. Avoid silent Discard unless you accept losing messages without a delivery error.
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5
Click Change, then test using a made-up address on the domain.
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6
To collect these messages, choose Forward to Email Address and enter a monitored full address with enough storage.
Choose how invalid addresses are handled.
Check it worked
- The invalid recipient should generate the intended rejection or reach the catch-all.
- Also test a real address to confirm normal delivery.