Fabel Spamsources is an IP address blacklist (or blocklist) operated by the Danish anti-spam group Fabel which lists IP addresses for sending spam and offers a simple self-service delisting process.
Fabel Spamsources is an IP-based DNS blocklist (blacklist) operated by the Danish organization Fabel. Its primary policy is to list IP addresses that have been observed sending spam to their network or to fabel.dk members. The blocklist does not include domain names or websites, focusing solely on the source IP of the mail server.
Technically, an IP address is more likely to be added to this blacklist if its abuse contact information, found in the public 'whois' records, is incorrect or unresponsive. Fabel attempts to send abuse complaints to this contact first. A lack of a reasonable response can lead to the listing of a larger network block. The list can be queried via DNS at spamsources.fabel.dk and is designed for integration with anti-spam software like SpamAssassin.
Fabel Spamsources is run by Fabel, a Danish organization that began in 1998. It was originally formed in reaction to a proposal that would have legalized unsolicited commercial email in Denmark. Fabel advocates for the responsible use of email as a tool for communication and commerce. While the organization notes that the spam landscape has changed significantly since its founding, it continues to operate its services, including a popular email forwarding service, to support a cleaner email ecosystem.
Removal from the Fabel Spamsources blocklist is a straightforward, self-service process. You can request delisting directly through a form on their website. According to Fabel, the DNS list typically updates within 20 minutes of a successful delisting request.
Before you request removal, you should take the following steps:
The impact of being on the Fabel Spamsources blocklist is generally considered low. This blacklist (or blocklist) is primarily used to protect Fabel's own network and its members, so its scope is not as wide as some major international lists. A listing may cause email delivery issues to recipients whose mail providers use this specific list.
Fabel notes that many inexpensive shared hosting providers struggle with abuse, leading to their IP addresses being listed. While the impact is low, a listing could indicate a reputation problem with your sending IP address. If you are listed, it is a good opportunity to review your sending practices and ensure your server is secure.
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