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Ovation Hall No Longer Uses PHP Mailer on Plesk

November 8, 2024 No comments yet
smtp for WordPress

In a bid to enhance email security and reliability, Ovation Hall has moved away from using PHP Mailer on its Plesk servers. With this change, users and scripts are no longer able to send emails through Sendmail, reducing the chances of malicious activity or unauthorized email access. For those using WordPress or other content management systems (CMS), we now recommend configuring emails through SMTP to ensure seamless and secure delivery. Below, we’ll walk you through setting up SMTP on WordPress using the popular plugin WP Mail SMTP by WPForms.

Why Ovation Hall Disabled PHP Mailer

PHP Mailer, the default email method for many web servers, is susceptible to misuse, often allowing scripts to send unauthorized emails through Sendmail. This vulnerability can lead to spam, phishing attacks, and other security risks for websites and their users. By disabling PHP Mailer and encouraging SMTP, Ovation Hall improves email security and helps prevent these threats, providing peace of mind for our clients.

How to Set Up SMTP for Your WordPress Site Using WP Mail SMTP by WPForms

Step 1: Install and Activate WP Mail SMTP Plugin

  • From your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Add New.
  • Search for “WP Mail SMTP by WPForms.”
  • Click Install Now and then Activate.

Step 2: Access WP Mail SMTP Settings

  • Once activated, go to the left sidebar and click on WP Mail SMTP under the Settings section.
  • You can ignore the license activation if you’re using the free version.

Step 3: Configure Email Settings

  • From Email: Enter the email address you wish to use for outgoing emails (e.g., info@yourdomain.com). This should be an existing email account created within your Plesk account.
  • Enable Force From Email to make sure emails always send from this address.

Step 4: Set Up Sender Name

  • From Name: Enter the name you want recipients to see as the sender (e.g., “Ovation Hall Support”).
  • Enable Force From Name to use this sender name consistently.

Step 5: Choose SMTP as the Mailer

  • Scroll down to the Mailer section and select Other SMTP.

Step 6: Enter SMTP Details

In this section, configure your SMTP settings as follows:

  • SMTP Host: Use your domain name (e.g., yourdomain.com).
  • Encryption: Choose SSL.
  • SMTP Port: Leave this as the default (465 for SSL).
  • Auto SSL: Turn this on.
  • Authentication: Enable this option.
  • SMTP Username: Enter the email address you’re using as the sender.
  • SMTP Password: Enter the password for your email account. (This should be the same as set in your Plesk account.)

Click Save Settings to apply your changes.

Step 7: Test Your Configuration

Once the settings are saved, send a test email from your contact form or the WP Mail SMTP plugin to confirm that everything is working properly. If the email doesn’t send:

  • Double-check your SMTP details for accuracy.
  • If issues persist, log in to your Ovation Hall account and open a support ticket for assistance.

Recommended SMTP Plugins for WordPress

To ensure reliable email delivery, we suggest using any of these popular SMTP plugins:

  • WP Mail SMTP by WPForms – Our top recommendation for ease of use and security.
  • Easy WP SMTP – A lightweight alternative with simple configuration.
  • Post SMTP Mailer/Email Log – Offers extensive logging and error tracking.

Switching from PHP Mailer to SMTP is a significant step in protecting your emails and maintaining communication integrity for your website. With Ovation Hall’s support, setting up SMTP on your WordPress site is quick and effective.