Data Analysis in cPanel Analytics and How Information Is Collected

1. Introduction to `cPanel Analytics`

The cPanel Analytics system includes two main components: Interface Analytics and Configuration Analytics. These components collect data about how users interact with cPanel, WHM, and Webmail, as well as information about server configuration. As stated in the official documentation: “At WebPros International, LLC, we take your privacy seriously...” indicating that the collected data does not include personal or sensitive information.

2. What Is Interface Analytics?

Interface Analytics collects behavioral data about how users navigate through cPanel, WHM, and Webmail interfaces. This includes navigation paths, login frequency, device types, and feature usage. According to the documentation: “We do not track the content that exists on cPanel accounts.” This means no private content is monitored.

Versions 110 and 126+

In these versions, personal and security-related information is removed from the collection process. The Interface Analytics plugin is automatically installed and enabled, and interface options for managing it are disabled.

Versions 118 and earlier

In these versions, behavioral data collection is optional and only begins with user consent. The following table shows how activation works:

Server: Yes / Account: Yes → Enabled
Server: Yes / Account: No → Disabled
Server: No / Account: Yes → Disabled
Server: No / Account: No → Disabled

Enabling at the Server Level

To enable Interface Analytics at the server level, administrators can use the participate_in_analytics API or the WHM interface.

Enabling at the Account Level

Users can enable or disable Interface Analytics from the Account Preferences interface by toggling the Allow Tracking option.

3. What Is `Configuration Analytics`?

Configuration Analytics is mandatory and always enabled. It collects data about server configuration, update logs, system settings, and operational metrics. The documentation states: “Configuration Analytics participation is required.”

How Data Is Sent

Each time the /usr/local/cpanel/scripts/upcp script runs, it generates a tarball containing update logs. This data is sent using the gather_update_log_stats script.

4. What Data Is Collected?

According to the documentation, the following data types are collected:

Interface Analytics Data

cPanel & WHM version
Operating system and version
User account UUID
Account type (cPanel, WHM, Webmail)
Feature and locale usage
Navigation paths inside Roundcube

Configuration Analytics Data

Full contents of the cpanel.config file
DNS, email, database, and service information
Status of plugins such as 360 Monitoring, Search Engine Optimization, Sitejet Builder
Email statistics, spam filtering, DMARC, Greylisting
Hostname and installation details

5. Examples of Collected Data

API Data Example

{
  "api1_calls": 1520,
  "email_users_previous_day": 340,
  "mysql_db_version": "10.5.21-MariaDB",
  "hostname": "server.example.com"
}

Script Paths Example

/usr/local/cpanel/scripts/upcp
/usr/local/cpanel/scripts/gather_update_log_stats

6. Privacy Protection

The documentation states: “We have taken precautions to ensure that the data we collect is secure and does not contain private, personal, or security information.” Additionally, all analytics data is deleted after 26 months.

Conclusion

The cPanel Analytics system helps improve user experience and technical decision-making by collecting behavioral and configuration data. While Interface Analytics is optional, Configuration Analytics is always active and gathers essential server information.