The most recent cPanel & WHM update, version 124, introduces several changes that are designed to improve security and performance. In this post, we examine how the platform’s enhanced DMARC settings and the addition of MariaDB 11.4 support enable users to strengthen their server management.
Released in October 2024, version 124 helps users improve security and performance through updated DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting and Conformance) settings and the introduction of support for the newest version of the popular database, MariaDB.
The importance of DMARC
DMARC is an email authentication protocol that verifies that your emails are genuinely sent from your account and not from a cybercriminal or spammer pretending to be you. This is important for a number of reasons. Firstly, it reduces the risk that your domain will be blacklisted for being unsafe or untrustworthy, which can happen if malicious emails using your address are reported or marked as spam. Furthermore, DMARC helps protect email recipients from falling victim to phishing attempts. DMARC has also become increasingly important to businesses that send bulk emails (more than 5,000 a day), following Google and Yahoo’s decision earlier this year to require them to have a DMARC policy in place. Companies that fail to comply will have a percentage of their unverified emails blocked, with warnings that this percentage will gradually increase over time until compliance is achieved.
For more information about DMARC compliance, read: Complying with Google and Yahoo’s DMARC Requirements
cPanel & WHM version 124 makes managing your DMARC records more straightforward. In the update, the Advanced Zone Editor is now turned on by default, making it easier to add, edit and manage DNS records like DMARC. As such, you can now configure your DMARC settings without having to manually enable additional tools. At the same time, the email DNS Record Manager in WHM enables admins to set DMARC policies that apply across all accounts on the server, thus cutting the risk of errors while keeping email policies consistent.
Additionally, the Email Deliverability section now includes options for managing DMARC, allowing both admins (in WHM) and account holders (in cPanel) a more convenient way to manage their email authentication settings. Moreover, when admins create or update accounts in WHM, they can now save time by setting DMARC policies at the point of creation, rather than having to go back and adjust settings later.
Keep your email secure, read: Battling Digital Threats: How to Eliminate Spam and Malware from Your Email
MariaDB 11.4 support
Created by the original developers of MySQL, MariaDB is an open-source, relational database used by many businesses and organisations to manage large volumes of structured data, such as customer information or product inventories. The database’s popularity comes from its ease of use, reliability and the speed at which it can handle large amounts of data, which together help speed up website loading times, reduce errors and minimise the risk of data corruption.
cPanel version 124 now includes support for the latest update of MariaDB, version 11.4, enabling users to benefit from the database’s most recent improvements. This includes even faster data processing through the optimisation of the database’s query performance – an advancement that offers smoother experiences for the users of websites and apps that rely on real-time data.
MariaDB 11.4 also offers more robust security features, including improved encryption and data protection, which make it more suitable for businesses handling sensitive data and looking for stronger measures to protect against data breaches. In addition, the latest database edition is compatible with a wider range of apps and services than its predecessor, making it easier to integrate MariaDB with other systems.
Other benefits of cPanel
The updates unveiled in cPanel version 124 are just the latest in the myriad of features offered by this industry-leading control panel. cPanel makes it easy to manage virtually every aspect of your website, from installing software, monitoring traffic and boosting security to making backups and managing email accounts, files, databases and DNS settings
In terms of security, cPanel has various security features, including a built-in virus scanner that detects and removes malware and a two-factor authentication interface that helps you implement 2FA for logging into your account. You can also use cPanel to install and configure SSL certificates and take advantage of its easy-to-use, wizard-guided backup tool that protects your website and database from the consequences of data loss.
With regard to management, cPanel’s email management features let you create and delete email accounts, set up forwarders and autoresponders and configure filters. Its file management tool, meanwhile, allows you to upload, move, delete and password-protect all your website files and folders while giving you control over file permissions. As most CMS websites need a database, cPanel allows you to create databases and manage users and privileges. This can be done via a web-based interface using phpMyAdmin. cPanel also provides a DNS management tool from where you can configure your domain’s DNS settings. Here you can create and modify DNS records and manage the domain name servers linked to your domain.
Other useful tools include AWStats, an analytics tool that enables you to monitor website traffic and performance; Apache SpamAssassin which filters spam from your email accounts; Softaculous, which lets you install hundreds of apps with a single click; a disk monitoring tool that lets you see how much storage space your account has used; and a redirects feature that allows you to redirect visitors to a different webpage. These are just some of the many tools and features that cPanel has to offer.
For more information, read: Important Features of the cPanel Control Panel
Conclusion
cPanel & WHM version 124 provides an easier way to manage your DMARC settings while enabling users to benefit from MariaDB 11.4 and its enhancements. Besides its existing wide range of features and tools, it now offers improved email security and helps compliance with Google and Yahoo requirements, while enabling those that handle large amounts of data to take advantage of MariaDB’s faster performance and stronger security.
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