FormMail is a very popular method of emailing the contents of a form to a user. It is relatively easy to set up and does its job well. However, spammers have found security holes in previous versions and this allows them to send mail through whatever server the account is set up on.
Since we have a very strict anti-spam policy, we cannot allow you to use your own FormMail scripts. We ask that you use the server-wide FormMail script, instead. This way, if there are any exploits found on this version of FormMail, you will not be held accountable.
If you have a need for a customized mail script, and you have one available, please contact support@hostgator.com, so that we can insure that your mail program version does not contain any exploits.
If you already have scripts that utilize formmail, you will need to change the ACTION parameter in the FORM tag. How?
Reminder: One drawback of using the server-wide FormMail script, is that you must send the contents of the form to an address that is on your domain name. If you need the mail sent to an off-site email address, you can set up an E-Mail Forwarder to forward any mail from the email address on your domain to your off-site email address.
SUMMARY: You must use the server-wide formmail, unless another version has been approved by support@hostgator.com. This helps to insure that no spam is being sent using insecure formmail scripts on the server.
NOTE: If you are familiar with Matt's FormMail script, most of the options that are available in that FormMail are available in the server-wide formmail. However, the script is not the same. The server-wide FormMail was developed by cPanel Developers. Please do not try to contact the support team for Matt's FormMail concerning any issues.
HostGator.com » Support Portal
Custom form mail
Article Comments
Charles Busby
Your only formmail solution for us exposes an email address for harvesting. You should be advocating a solution or suggesting one that enables people to avoid that exposure.
Posted: January 4, 2010
HostGator
The solution which hides your email address is to create a PHP form.
Providing a web design aspect is outside of the scope of services we normally offer, but I will try to find a PHP solution which HostGator can distribute.
Providing a web design aspect is outside of the scope of services we normally offer, but I will try to find a PHP solution which HostGator can distribute.
Posted: January 5, 2010
Tom
"We ask that you use the server-wide FormMail script, instead. This way, if there are any exploits found on this version of FormMail, you will not be held accountable."
Where is this file?
Where is this file?
Posted: January 27, 2010
HostGator
View the related article "Steps to making a form on your website where people can email you information (formmail)".
This article show exactly how to use the file; however, the file is not accessible to edit.
This article show exactly how to use the file; however, the file is not accessible to edit.
Posted: January 28, 2010
Raven
What I want to know is how you set up this recaptcha on the website when the form has to go through the form action /cgi-sys/formmail.pl and they require it to go to a php page or some such but always change the form action to something else.
Raven
Raven
Posted: April 3, 2010
HostGator
You can create your own custom form which uses captcha and multiple page redirects, but then you would not need to use our /cgi-sys/formmail.pl as your action.
You can also use custom design to add features to the form we provide, but results will vary.
You can also use custom design to add features to the form we provide, but results will vary.
Posted: April 5, 2010
M.T.
I have a form created using formmail, and I am getting the results by email with only one problem, the results have the form fields all mixed up, and I want them to appear in the order they are on the form. What is the code I need for this to occur and where should it be placed in my form? I have tried a few things, but I'm not coming up with the solution to this bothersome issue. Thanks.
Posted: August 29, 2010
HostGator
The formmail code we offer is not entirely customizable. You CANNOT change what the resulting email's structure.
You will need to create your own script, which can be done using the phpFormGenerator found in Fantastico.
You will need to create your own script, which can be done using the phpFormGenerator found in Fantastico.
Posted: August 30, 2010
RB
If my form is created using the phpFormGenerator would/can I still use the server-wide formmail script?
Posted: November 2, 2010
HostGator
Sure, but normally a PHP form is better.
If you decide to use a custom form with our formmail scripts, then you will need to update your form with the required hidden inputs.
Read more in the related article "Steps to making a form on your website where people can email you information (formmail)".
If you decide to use a custom form with our formmail scripts, then you will need to update your form with the required hidden inputs.
Read more in the related article "Steps to making a form on your website where people can email you information (formmail)".
Posted: November 2, 2010
HostGator
Thank you for your comments. Just a quick reminder that the comments on this page are not monitored by technical support staff,
and that for support issues, it is best to contact us by live chat, phone or email so we can assist you right away.
Although comments are not monitored by technical support staff, they are moderated and read by technical writers. Comments will need to be approved by a moderator before appearing.
Our technical writers do read the comments periodically for the purposes of updating the articles, and do appreciate your feedback, suggestions and corrections to the articles themselves, as well as any suggestions or tips for readers of this article. However, support questions posted here are not guaranteed to be replied to in a timely manner or at all. For support issues, it is best to contact our support staff instead by live chat, email or phone.
Posted: December 13, 2011 (Global Reply)