Fixing the "Scripted Email from Server Address" Issue

When sending scripted emails, these messages must be sent with the correct sender information for deliverability. However, you may face an issue where a scripted email comes from the server address. In this article, we will provide you with a solution to fix the problem.

• Problem at Hand
• Importance of Using a Valid "From:" Address
• What Makes a Valid Email Address?
• Troubleshooting Steps
• Summary

Problem at Hand

You may ask: "Why do scripted emails come from my boxPrefix when I have specified otherwise?"

Our servers require you (or your script) to use a properly formatted, valid "From:" field in the email's header. If the "From:" field is not formatted correctly or empty, or the email address does not exist in cPanel, the "From:" address will be changed to your boxPrefix.

Solution: You must change the incorrect email sender address script to use a valid "From:" address correctly. See below to know the pros of using a valid "From:" address.

Examples that will work:

From: [email protected]
From: "user" <[email protected]>

From: "[email protected]"
From: user @ domain.com
From: [email protected] <[email protected]>

If you do not want to edit your PHP-based scripts, you can modify the sendmail_path line in your php.ini. You would want to modify it like this:

• sendmail_path = /usr/sbin/sendmail -t -i -f'[email protected]'

The part that you will be adding is: -f'[email protected]'. This method works because the php mail function calls sendmail (a program on the server) directly using the path defined in your php.ini. Placing the -f flag here allows us to work directly with sendmail without PHP getting in the way. Passing a "From:" header to the php mail function will override the -f flag set in your php.ini.

Importance of Using a Valid "From:" Address

Using a valid "From:" address in emails is really important for combating issues  like spoofing and phishing. When we make sure that the addresses we use are legitimate, we enhance our email security, help maintain trust in our communications, and avoid issues with scripted emails.

Builds Trust and Verifiability

• When recipients see an email coming from a familiar and valid address, it instantly creates a sense of trust. They're much more likely to open the email and take its contents seriously. It’s all about building that connection and ensuring that people feel confident in what they’re reading.
• A valid "From:" address allows your recipients to verify your identity as the sender. They can look up the domain and use other means to confirm the email's authenticity.

Prevents Spoofing and Impersonation

• Email spoofing is when attackers "forge" the "From:" address to make it look as if the email is coming from someone else (for example, a legitimate company, a friend, etc.).
• Phishing emails often try to trick recipients into clicking malicious links, downloading malware, and providing personal and sensitive information.

Additional information on how to protect yourself from phishing is available in our comprehensive guide, How To Protect Yourself From Phishing.

Improves Email Deliverability

• Email providers and spam filters flag emails with invalid or suspicious "From:" addresses as "spam" emails. This means your valid or legitimate emails may not reach the intended recipients.
• If the domain is used to send spoofed emails, even without you knowing about it, it can taint your email sender's reputation, making it difficult for your legitimate emails to reach intended recipients.

Protects your Brand and Reputation

• If your domain is being used to send phishing emails, it can damage your brand reputation, causing your customers to lose trust in your business.
• Keep in mind that phishing attacks can cause serious issues like data breaches, financial losses, and even legal problems for those affected.

By focusing on legitimate "From:" addresses and implementing strong email security practices, you can significantly lower the chances of falling victim to email spoofing and phishing attacks. This way, you not only safeguard your business but also protect your recipients from potential harm.

What Makes a Valid Email Address?

There are several factors that make an email address "valid." Here is what determines the validity of an email address.

• Email address format
• Email address authentication

Email Address Format

A valid email address uses the format [email protected]. It has two main components - a username and a domain name.

• Username (before the "@"): Identifies the user of the email address with a unique name.
• Domain name (after the "@"): This refers to the email service provider that hosts the email account.

There are specific requirements for an acceptable username and domain format.

Email Address Authentication

While correct email format is vital, it does not necessarily mean that it is automatically considered valid. The most important factor is that the email address actually exists, is active in the mail servers, and points to the correct servers.

Through authentication, you can confirm that the email address is legitimate and actively exists on the mail server.

Authentication involves checking the email address by verifying its domain's MX records and enabling SMTP authentication to confirm its active status and its ability to receive emails.

Troubleshooting Steps

If the solution provided above for issues with scripted email does not work, you may try the following steps to troubleshoot the issue further and identify other underlying causes.

• Check cPanel email accounts for validity. The email address you use must be a valid account in cPanel.
• Verify your DNS records are correctly configured, especially the SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records.
• Check your server logs for any error messages.

If you identify that there are other underlying causes for email deliverability issues, check our guide, Troubleshooting Email Deliverability Issues, for more information.

Summary

This article provides a practical solution for a common issue with scripted emails: them being sent from the server address (boxPrefix) instead of the intended sender. The core problem lies in incorrectly formatted or missing "From:" fields in the email header. The article clearly explains why this happens, providing specific examples of valid and invalid "From:" address formats, crucial for SEO targeting users searching for solutions to this problem.