The Mailspike Reputation blocklist is an IP-based blacklist that assigns a detailed reputation score to IP addresses, helping mail servers evaluate the likelihood of an IP address sending spam.
Mailspike Reputation is a reputation-based IP blocklist (blacklist) that assigns a score to IP addresses based on observed email sending behavior. It is not a simple yes or no listing; instead, it provides a detailed reputation level that allows system administrators to make more nuanced filtering decisions. Mailbox providers and filtering companies use the Mailspike blacklist to identify and block mail from sources with a poor reputation.
The service works via DNS queries. A query to rep.mailspike.net for an IP address returns a specific result that corresponds to a reputation level. The levels range from L5 (worst reputation) to H5 (excellent reputation). Each level has a corresponding return code:
Common reasons for an IP address to be listed on this blacklist include compromised email accounts or hacked servers being used to send spam, malware, or phishing emails. Use of the service is free for low-volume sites with traffic under 100,000 messages or DNS queries per day.
The Mailspike Reputation blocklist is operated by Mailspike Technologies, a company with deep roots in email cybersecurity. Originating as Anubisnetworks in Portugal in 2006, the company focused on creating cloud-based email security solutions for Telcos. After being acquired by Bitsight Technologies in 2014, the email security division was spun off in 2019 to form the current company, Mailspike Technologies, Lda. They continue to focus on innovating in the email security space.
Mailspike offers a self-service removal process through a form on their website. If your IP is listed, you can use this form to request delisting, which is typically processed automatically within 6 to 36 hours.
However, before you request removal from this blocklist, it is crucial to ensure the underlying issue causing the listing has been resolved. If the problematic sending behavior continues, your IP address will likely be listed again. You must identify and fix the root cause first. For example, if the listing was due to a distributed spam wave from a botnet, delisting will only occur after Mailspike's systems confirm the malware threat from that IP has been mitigated.
The impact of being on the Mailspike Reputation blacklist is medium and directly related to the reputation level assigned to your IP address. A listing in the negative categories (L1 to L5) will almost certainly cause email deliverability problems. Emails sent from an IP with a poor reputation are likely to be rejected outright or filtered directly to the recipient's spam folder. Because Mailspike provides a score rather than a simple on/off listing, some systems may use a lower reputation score to quarantine mail for review, while using the worst scores to reject mail completely.
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