What is the cPanel default address? #

The cPanel default address is the mailbox (or rule) that handles “unrouted” email, messages sent to addresses that don’t exist on your domain.
For example, if someone sends to sales@yourdomain.com but you never created that mailbox, the default address decides what happens next.

You can configure it to reject the message with an error, forward it somewhere, or discard it. (More on the best option below.)

Why catch-all mailboxes are a bad idea #

A catch-all mailbox forwards (or collects) all unrouted mail to a single inbox. Here’s why that usually backfires:

• Spammers target random usernames: once your domain is known, bots spray mail to thousands of fake addresses at your domain.
  With catch-all enabled, your server accepts more of it instead of rejecting unknown recipients.
• Spam becomes harder to filter: rejecting unknown recipients is a powerful first-line defense. Catch-all removes that advantage.
• Inbox overload + missed real mail: your “catch-all” mailbox can flood so badly that genuine messages get buried.
• Reputation risk: higher spam volume and risky patterns can contribute to deliverability issues over time.

Best (recommended) setting for most domains #

For most Hosticko customers, the safest setup is:

• Reject unrouted mail with an error message (so the sender knows it failed)
• Create real mailboxes for the addresses you actually need (for example: info@, support@, sales@)
• Use proper forwarders only when necessary (example: support@ forwarding to your helpdesk workflow)

This approach keeps spam down and ensures you only accept mail meant for real addresses.

How to change the cPanel default address #

1. Log in to cPanel.
2. Go to Email → click Default Address.
3. Select your domain from the dropdown.
4. Choose one option:
   • Discard with an error message (recommended)
   • Forward to Email Address (only if you truly need catch-all)
   • Discard (not recommended because the sender won’t know delivery failed)
5. Click Change to save.

If you MUST use a catch-all mailbox (safer approach) #

If you absolutely must catch unrouted mail, do it in a way that limits damage:

1. Create a dedicated local mailbox (example: catchall@yourdomain.com).
2. Forward unrouted mail to that mailbox (not to your main personal inbox).
3. If you want to read it in Gmail/Outlook.com/etc., use that provider’s POP3 collection to fetch mail from the dedicated mailbox
   (instead of forwarding everything directly off-server).
4. Check it regularly and keep it clean, this inbox will attract junk.

This keeps the catch-all mess isolated and reduces the chance you miss important emails in your main inbox.

Important warning about forwarding to the system account #

Avoid forwarding all unrouted mail to the system account unless you have a very specific reason and you understand the risk.
Doing that can make your account an even bigger spam target and is generally not recommended.

Related Hosticko guides #

• Why Are My Emails Being Marked as Spam?
• 550 Message Classified as Spam Error (Fix)
• 550 Please Turn On SMTP Authentication (Fix)
• How to Obtain Email Headers

Replace internal links with your actual Hosticko knowledgebase URLs if they differ.

FAQs #

Is the cPanel default address the same thing as catch-all? #

Yes. In cPanel, the default address is effectively the catch-all handler for unrouted mail on a domain.

Will catch-all help me “not miss emails”? #

It can catch typos, but it also catches a massive amount of junk. In practice, most people miss more important mail because the catch-all inbox gets flooded.

What’s better than catch-all for business? #

Create the mailboxes you actually use (sales@, support@, info@) and reject unknown recipients with an error message.