selfprivacy.org/content/en/docs/Services/email/_index.md

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E-mail 2023-01-11T17:10:29+03:00 Self-hosted e-mail service

E-mail is a time-tested protocol that needs no introduction. A personal mail server will provide special privacy for all correspondence and is useful for registering in online services and personal correspondence, especially for [Delta.Chat]({{< ref "delta-chat.md" >}}).

Authentication

Users from the "users" tab of your app are used.

Connection configuration

Login must the username with the domain. For example, user@domain.tld.

SMTP

SMTP Server: your domain

SMTP Port: 587

Authentication: STARTLS

Username: your username @ your domain (your full email address)

IMAP

IMAP Server: your domain

IMAP Port: 143

Authentication: STARTLS

Username: your username @ your domain (your full email address)

Configuration example for Mozilla Thunderbird {{< imgproc thunderbird Fill "1000x950" />}}

What do we use as our email server?

On the deployed server, the following components are responsible for sending, receiving, filtering emails:

  • Postfix — SMTP server;
  • Dovecot 2 — IMAP server;
  • Rspamd — SPAM filter;

Tips

Alias for addresses

Use aliases for questionable services or one-time needs.

Messages for user+alias@domain.com will go to user@domain.com. It can be useful for spam origin analysis if a unique alias is used for each online service when registering. For example, bank+user@domain.com, cryptoexchenge+user@domain.com, and so on.

Directory Filter

Create directories of filters for different purposes. This will help protect against phishing and clogging your inbox. The message for user-dir@domain.com will create a dir directory in the user@domain.com mailbox and all mail will arrive in the dir directory.

Examples:

  • user-w@domain.com - for registering with web services
  • user-shops - for web-stores
  • user-pay - payment systems
  • user-forum - forum notifications

Features

  • Email is over 50 years old. In IT, this is a sign of maturity and reliability of the technology.
  • Email is the most popular way to get infected with viruses (after hacked software and cracks).
  • Beware of phishing (fraudulent emails), it can rob you of your savings and control over your digital life.