Blacklist Checker

The blacklist/blocklist check will show if the IP entered is listed with DNSBL or SURBL systems.
These systems are used by email system administrators to try and eliminate spam email messages before they reach their users.

DNSBL is a Domain Name Blacklist/blocklist. There are dozens of DNSBLs online, all of which use a wide variety of criteria for listing and delisting addresses. Spam filters utilize various DNSBLs to verify that the incoming emails do not originate from blacklisted sites.
DNSBLs are generally the first line of defense against spam.

Why is My IP Blacklisted?

SURBLs (no longer the acronym) are generally the second line of defense but not all spam filters are capable of using them. SURBLs are blacklists of websites that have been noted for appearing in unsolicited emails. Spam filters that can utilize the SURBLs will scan the body text of emails and extract any website addresses and check them against the blacklists. If an address is found, the message will be flagged as spam and handled accordingly.

Since both methods filter differently they are most effective when combined. Unfortunately as spammers become more clever there isn’t a method that can catch every spam message. It is interesting to note, given the methods spammers use, that DNSBLs tend to change more frequently than SURBLs. If you’re an email system administrator and your server has been blacklisted, you will have to work with the various DNSBLs that may have you listed and/or SURBL (www.surbl.org).

There maybe several reasons that your IP is on the blacklist.

  • Some of the many reasons for IP blacklisting are the virus, malware, and sending numerous spam emails.
  • If you run a mail server that is not configured properly, which results in sending spam, or you intentionally send spam, then your IP address will definitely be blacklisted.
  • Maybe you tried to purchase the email lists from a third party containing many incorrect or spam email addresses.
  • The majority of the email receivers mark your email as spam.
  • Someone hacked your email account and is using it for spamming activities.
  • There is also a scenario that your IP is on the blacklist; even you did not do anything wrong. That frequently happens when having a DHCP IP address. Most of the blacklist maintainers automatically add an IP address that is assigned via DHCP by an ISP. Even though you are not a spammer, or maybe the person who had your IP address before you, was using it for spamming activity. Only your ISP knows who had that IP address before assigning it to you.
  • Your website can even be listed on a search engine's blacklist, and no legitimate website wants this. Several reasons can play a role in this regard.
    • If your website is spamming or maybe, you are getting backlinks from websites that are spamming.
    • Your website is suspected of being used for hacking purposes.
    • Once the website is added to the search engine's blacklist, it will vanish from the internet.

How do you get off the blacklist, or what to do if your IP is blacklisted?

  • To get off a blacklist or to clear your name from being blacklisted, first, you must check that your system is clean from any virus or malware and no unauthorized traffic is going out from your system. Find out where your IP is blacklisted and contact them.
  • Investigate why they entered your IP address in their blacklist. The majority of the blacklist provides general listing reasons. You must check each of them.
  • The majority of the blacklist allows you to submit the removal request. Each blacklist has a different way to raise the removal request.
  • Submitting the removal request is an attempt from your end. It does not mean that the Blacklist maintainer will honor your request.

What if my IP address remains on a blacklist?

  • The most common reason that your IP address keeps getting blacklisted is that your IP address has been reported and consequently blacklisted for sending spam emails.
  • If you are a home user, having your IP address on the blacklist would not make much difference.
  • However, if you are running a business or having a mail server, you must delist your IP address. Check your system if it is clean from any virus or malware or your mail server is configured correctly.