Short answer: A whitelist of posters lets specific addresses send to a restricted mailing list. Enable the poster whitelist on the Options tab of the mailing list settings first, then add addresses under Manage → Whitelisted Posters. The * wildcard whitelists a whole domain — for example *@domain.com.
Applies to: Infosaic web hosting email · domain administrators · mailing lists
A mailing list restricted to subscribers or moderators is the safe default, but it creates an obvious problem: sometimes an address that is not on the list legitimately needs to post to it. An agency sending a newsletter, a system that generates an automated notice, a director who is not a subscriber.
The poster whitelist is the exception mechanism. It lets you name the addresses allowed through without opening the list to everybody.
Enable the feature first
The whitelist does nothing until it is switched on. Enable the poster whitelist feature from the Options tab of the mailing list settings.
Note also that the Manage menu does not exist while you are creating a new mailing list. Save the list first, then edit it, and the button appears.
Adding an address
- Log in as the domain administrator.
- Click the Settings icon.
- Expand Domain Settings and Mailing Lists in the navigation panel.
- Click Mailing Lists. The available lists load in the content pane.
- Select the list and click Edit in the toolbar.
- Click the Manage menu and then Whitelisted Posters.
- Click New.
- Type the address in the Email Address field. You can use the * wildcard to whitelist an entire domain, for example *@domain.com.
- Click Save.
Whitelist addresses, not domains, unless you mean it. *@domain.com permits every address at that company, now and in future, to post to your list. For one supplier contact, name the address.
Using it sensibly
- Keep the list restricted and use the whitelist for exceptions. That is the whole point — do not set posting to “anyone” because one outside address needs access.
- Review it occasionally. Whitelist entries outlive the arrangements that justified them, particularly agency addresses.
- Remember the sender address must match exactly. Mail sent from a different address at the same company will still be rejected unless you used a wildcard.
- Test after adding by having the whitelisted sender post once.
If a whitelisted address still cannot post, check that the feature is enabled on the Options tab — that is the usual reason, because adding entries to a disabled whitelist appears to work.
Questions and answers
What is a whitelisted poster?
An email address permitted to post to a mailing list even when posting is otherwise restricted.
Do I need to enable anything first?
Yes. Enable the poster whitelist feature on the Options tab of the mailing list settings.
Where do I add whitelisted posters?
Edit the mailing list, then choose Manage and Whitelisted Posters, and click New.
Can I whitelist a whole domain?
Yes. Use the * wildcard, for example *@domain.com.
Why is there no Manage menu?
It does not appear while you are creating a new list. Save the list first, then edit it.
A whitelisted sender still cannot post. Why?
Usually because the poster whitelist feature has not been enabled on the Options tab, or the sending address differs from the one whitelisted.
Should I whitelist or just allow anyone to post?
Whitelist. Setting a list to allow anyone invites abuse and sends whatever arrives to every subscriber.
Related articles
- Mailing list settings explained
- How do I upload my CSV file of subscribers?
- What your Infosaic mail service can do
- Fighting spam in webmail: trusted senders and filter weights
- Can I set up email aliases?
- How do I contact tech support?
Still stuck?
Open a support ticket from your hosting control panel at controlpanel.infosaic.com — that is the fastest route, because it reaches the team who can already see your account. You can also email [email protected].