Set up Exim to Relay Outbound Messages

Enable the Smart host feature in SpamHero

Before using the outbound system, you must first go to the Outbound > Outbound Settings page in SpamHero and do the following:

  • Check the Enable outbound smart host relay box.
  • Enable Allow username & password credentials (appears after you check the box above).
  • You will be prompted to set a password. Be sure to make a note of this password for use in the steps below.

Update the exim.conf file on your mail server

Before proceeding, make a backup copy of your current exim.conf file.

If you are using cPanel, use the Exim Configuration Manager for this part. Otherwise, locate the exim.conf file and open it in your favorite editor.

Under the ROUTER section, add this block of text:
spamhero_route:
driver = manualroute
domains = ! +local_domains
transport = spamhero_relay

route_list = * smtp.mxthunder.net

 The above should be the first router listed in this section!

Under the TRANSPORT section, add this block of text:
spamhero_relay:
driver = smtp

hosts_require_auth = smtp.mxthunder.net

hosts_require_tls = smtp.mxthunder.net

Under the AUTHENTICATION section, add this block of text, but replace username with your domain name and password with the one you configured in the SpamHero control panel (see above):
spamhero_login:
driver = plaintext
public_name = LOGIN
hide client_send = : username : password

If using cPanel’s Exim Configuration Manager (Advanced Editor), the above block of text goes in the section called AUTH.

 

Restart Exim

Be sure to restart Exim to apply the changes.

Optional steps

cPanel users: Go to Exim Configuration Manager > Basic Editor > Mail and change Smarthost support from default to:

smtp.mxthunder.net

Note: Routing through SpamHero works with cPanel even without changing this value, but there may be some benefit to enabling it.

  • For DKIM to work, there is an additional step required. details

    For non-cPanel users, add the following at the bottom of the TRANSPORT section (and adjust the dkim_private_key path to the correct location on your server):

     
    # DKIM Settings
  dkim_domain = ${lc:$sender_address_domain}
  dkim_selector = default
  dkim_private_key = "/update-this-path/domain_keys/private/${dkim_domain}"
  dkim_canon = relaxed
     

    For cPanel users, use this (assumes default path for cPanel):

    # DKIM Settings
  dkim_domain = ${lc:$sender_address_domain}
  dkim_selector = default
  dkim_private_key = "/var/cpanel/domain_keys/private/${dkim_domain}"
  dkim_canon = relaxed

     

     If using cPanel’s Exim Configuration Manager (Advanced Editor), this block of text goes in the section called TRANSPORTSTART

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