The Junk Email Filter Hostkarma Blacklist is an IP and hostname reputation blacklist (or blocklist) that uniquely uses a color-coded system, including whitelists and yellowlists, to differentiate between spam, legitimate mail, and mixed sources in a single query.
The Junk Email Filter Hostkarma Blacklist is a DNS-based blocklist (DNSBL) that takes a unique approach to classifying email sources. Unlike some lists that may have aggressive listing criteria, Hostkarma operates on the philosophy of being helpful and accurate. Their stated goal is to block spammers while ensuring legitimate email is delivered, and to assist server administrators who have been hacked or have misconfigurations. The list is not just a blacklist; it's a comprehensive reputation system.
A key feature is its use of a single DNS lookup to return multiple status codes, which makes it efficient. Instead of just a binary black or white designation, Junk Email Filter Hostkarma Blacklist uses a color-coded system to provide more nuanced information about an IP address's reputation. These categories include whitelists (trusted non-spam), blacklists (known spam), yellow lists (mixed sources like Gmail or Yahoo), and NOBL lists (IPs that should not be blacklisted). It also supports name-based lookups using Forward Confirmed reverse DNS (FCrDNS), which is more difficult to spoof than IP addresses alone.
The server, hostkarma.junkemailfilter.com, returns different results based on the listing type:
Junk Email Filter Hostkarma Blacklist is operated by the organization Junk Email Filter. They position themselves as creators of an advanced spam and virus filter that goes beyond standard tools. Their system is built on a deep integration of various technologies, including custom-developed ones, to create a filter that is more accurate than the sum of its parts. They view spam not as a black-and-white issue but in "shades of grey," employing a multi-level classification system to grade messages.
The organization actively collaborates with the wider spam filtering community, including open source projects and commercial vendors. They believe cooperation helps everyone fight spam more effectively. They contribute by making their Hostkarma database public, sharing data with other services, harvesting URI information to feed into URI blacklists, and providing data to antivirus database providers. This community-focused approach is a core part of their strategy to reduce spam across the internet.
The impact of being on the Junk Email Filter Hostkarma Blacklist is generally considered low. This blocklist is not as widely used by major mailbox providers like Gmail or Microsoft Outlook compared to other, more prominent blacklists. However, it may be used by smaller internet service providers, individual companies, or system administrators who prefer its nuanced approach to reputation. While a listing here might not cause widespread email delivery failures, it is still an indicator of a potential reputation issue that should be investigated and resolved to ensure optimal deliverability.
Junk Email Filter provides a courtesy removal form on their website for senders who believe they were listed in error or have fixed the underlying problem causing the spam. Before requesting delisting from this blacklist (or any blocklist), you must first identify and resolve the root cause of the issue. This could involve securing a compromised account, fixing a server misconfiguration, or addressing poor sending practices.
Once you have fixed the problem, you can proceed with the removal request. Be aware that this is a temporary removal; if more spam is detected from your IP address, it will be relisted. For specific issues, if you believe your server has been listed in error, or if you wish to be whitelisted, you can contact their team by emailing remove@junkemailfilter.com.
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