Active Mailbox –
Definition:
A mailbox (typically an email account or message repository) that has been accessed at least once in the past 30 days. Access may include activities like sending, receiving, reading, or logging into the mailbox.
Context & Usage:
- IT and Email Administration:
- In corporate IT environments, tracking active mailboxes helps system administrators monitor user engagement and manage resources.
- Mailbox activity is often used to justify licensing or allocate storage (e.g., in Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace).
- Security & Compliance:
- Identifying inactive vs. active mailboxes helps ensure that unused accounts aren’t vulnerable to unauthorized access.
- Helps with audits, data retention, and regulatory compliance by showing actual user activity.
- Billing and Licensing:
- Some services bill based on the number of active mailboxes, making this distinction financially important.
- For example, an organization may pay only for mailboxes accessed in the last 30 days.
Examples:
- “We have 5,000 email accounts, but only 3,200 are considered active mailboxes.”
- “Inactive mailboxes are archived after 30 days of inactivity.”
Related Terms:
- Inactive mailbox: A mailbox that has not been accessed in the last 30 days.
- Dormant account: A broader term often used for accounts (not just email) with no recent activity.
- Mailbox retention policy: Rules that govern how long emails or accounts are kept based on activity.