Email server configuration is easy but it depends on the type of server you are using. On most servers, after installing the software, you will see an option for settings. When you click on the setting option, you will see the email server configuration. 

The second step is to set up an email server; for that, follow the steps on the screen. The first section includes protocols and SMTP setups. Then choose security as SSL. You can also allow users to unsubscribe. 

When allowing users to unsubscribe, it will help you filter out the target audience and remove unwanted email addresses, which will help you find good leads that you can convert into prospects. The next step is to activate authentication.

Set a strong password and user name and then the authentication will appear on the screen. These processes are for some email servers; the complete guide to mailing server configuration depends upon the type of server you are using.

Configuring an email server

Configuring an email server is an easy process that requires some steps to follow. Most of our clients use email servers like Microsoft Exchange, Postfix, Sendmail, and other servers. We also provide an SMTP server for users. If you don’t have it, you can get your server. 

The first step is to install software to use the server in your system. If you want to use an SMTP server email, then choose SMTP software and install it on your system, be it on-premises or in the cloud. The second step is to set up your domain.

Then follow other steps to create a Mail Exchanger report, which is also known as an MX report. All these steps help you configure any server. By following all the other steps, which are mentioned below, you can easily set up an email server. 

 8 Steps to Set Up Your Email Server

Installing SMTP Server Software

Install the SMTP server software package from the vendor’s official website, or any other website that you can feel secure and trustworthy. The most important thing is to see the requirements of the software, like the space it requires and the operating system.

If the server is installed in a zip file, then extract the zip file to see all files. Then Install an email server or set up a wizard. During the installation, they may ask you about server details, so follow the steps to install your mailing server properly.

Set Up Server

To move forward, you’ll need to get your mailing server up and running. These settings mainly concern how it will communicate – things like the port number for sending SMTP messages, the server’s name so you can identify it, and its internet address. 

Most mailing servers use ports 25, 587, or 465 to send emails. Take a look at the options and use one that matches where the majority of messages are delivered. Keeping things simple but focusing on what each element does and how it relates to everyday things like communication and addresses should make the process of configuring your serverless intimidating.

Set up the authentication process.

This process is also known as the process of security because it will let you know who can use your server for sending emails. It includes setting up a username and a strong password. The password should include small letters, capital letters, numbers, and characters. 

Make your server secure

Authentication is the first step in security but the most important part of your server’s security is setting up SSL/TLS. SSL ensures the encryption of your messages. It does not allow any third parties to read your emails. To secure the email server, apply this.

Relay Settings

On your mailing server, you will find a relay setting. We can also call this an out message setting. It is about setting up a rule that tells the server to receive and send emails. With this, you can apply or remove restrictions, such as limiting relay access to any IP address.

Filter Spam Emails

It is also an important part of email server configuration; in this, you need to filter spam emails that can reach the recipient’s inbox. This can help you avoid spam emails. blacklisting, whitelisting, content filtering, and spam scoring algorithms are examples of spam filters.

Test an Email Message

Testing an email message is almost the last step of email server configuration. This step will help you find out whether your email server is working well or not. To apply this, you need to send different emails to different email addresses.

Maintain Your Email Server

To fix bugs and other errors, it is important to maintain your email server regularly. You can also monitor SMTP server performance. Moreover, maintain server uptime, email delivery rates, and any potential issues. This is the complete guide to setting up an email server.

Optimizing Email Server

Most lead generation experts use tools like CPU usage, memory consumption, disk space, and network traffic to monitor email servers. They can also analyze spam filtering rates and bounce rates. This will help them configure their email server successfully.

Overall, email server setup is very important for those who want to benefit from email marketing. The process of email server setup depends on the server you are using, Most people use SMTP servers so we discussed it.

The steps that we have mentioned are almost the same for all kinds of servers. If you find something different, you can search for it and follow the steps to configure your email server, get benefits from email marketing, and use your email list to boost your sales.

What is an Email server, and How is it working?

The email server is a network that can help you send and receive your emails. Let’s suppose two people are using Gmail accounts. It is an email server that helps them communicate. In this blog post, we will discuss best practices for email server security.

When we write an email, it follows some steps before going to our client’s inbox. It moves towards our email server. Our email server then performs a lookup, which is called a DNS lookup, to find our client server address.

Then our server transfers it to our client’s email server, where the checking process starts, The client’s server searches to see if the domain from the sender and receiver is available or not, and then it stores your message in your client’s mailbox, where your clients read it.

Eight Best Practices for Email Server Security

The incoming emails from a source are called IMAP, and outgoing email services are called SMTP. SMTP servers help send and receive emails from different sources, like Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo. It required to apply security practices for all kinds of servers.

There are eight best practices that we can use for email server security. You can apply these steps to any of the servers you are using, like email server software, Microsoft Exchange, Postfix, Sendmail, and others. These eight practices are mentioned below: 

Avoiding Open Relay Configuration

On most email servers, there is an option for open relay configuration, through which anyone can send emails using your server. The first is to avoid an open relay configuration. Open relay configuration is a risk for your server. 

When spammers send spam messages through your server or store spam messages in your email, it will block your DNS system and in the future, you will be unable to send emails. Allow only trusted users, generate a strong password, and update your software.

Set a Strong Password

On most servers, there is the option of autogenerated or default passwords; most users do not change this password. It is important to change this password. Furthermore, Changing this password will secure your account and privacy. Otherwise, it will cause many problems.

If you keep the default password, there may be a chance for hackers to hack your system. Always keep a strong password. An example of a strong password contains capital letters, small letters, numbers, and other characters. After that implement SPF.

Implementing SPF

SPF stands for sender policy framework. It is all about the setting of the TXT record. In this, you need to give instructions to  (IP addresses or domains) for sending emails on your behalf. You can also make your SMTP secure with this setting. 

Regularly Update your email server

If your email server asks for updates, do not relay them. Update it on time so that it will fix the bug and other errors. Updating is a process that helps software, programs, and applications stay secure. Additionally, you can also enable two-factor authentication (2FA).

Implement robust spam and malware filtering mechanisms

Implementing robust spam and malware filtering mechanisms is about using some software, like Anti-virus software. This is also called spam filtering This kind of software protects your emails and your server. It helps protect against unwanted and harmful emails. 

DNSBL for Email server security

For email server security, you can also use the DNSBL system. DNSBL works similarly with police check posts. It helps you to find spam emails and block them. For a better result, you can use a spam filtering process that helps secure mail server.

Use SURBL for server security

It works similarly to DNSBL, but DNSBL is well known for finding those IP addresses that are considered spam. SURBL is well known for finding URLs that are used in an email. It scans the URL to see whether it is spam or not.

DNSBL focuses on IP addresses, while SURBL focuses on URLs. Both are used to block spam emails, and both are used for email server security. These are all steps that you can follow for the security of your email server.

TLS for Email Server Security

Transport layer security is a way you can secure any email server. It is the best fit for those who are using POP3 encryption. Moreover, Its function is to make the devices encrypted and protected. TLS helps to stop unauthorized access and your email becomes more secure.

These are eight best practices for email server security. By applying these eight practices, you can make your email server more secure. This includes avoiding an open relay configuration, Setting a Strong Password, and Implementing SPF.

Additionally, regularly updating your email server and implementing robust spam and malware filtering mechanisms, DNSB, and SURBL help you make your server secure. So, all these steps are important for all to apply.