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Spamhaus Policy Blocklist (PBL)

The Spamhaus Policy Blocklist (PBL) is an IP blacklist (or blocklist) that contains end-user IP address ranges which, according to network policy, should not be sending unauthenticated email directly to internet mail servers.

Spamhaus Policy Blocklist (PBL)
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Check your domain or IP against 92 blocklists.
0spam.org logo0Spam
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8086 Consultancy
abuse.ro logoabuse.ro
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Abusix
wiki.alphanet.ch logoALPHANETanonmails.de logoAnonmails
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Barracuda Networks
www.blockedservers.com logoBLOCKEDSERVERSdnsbl.calivent.com.pe logoCalivent Networkswww.spamcop.net logoCisco
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dan.me.uk
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DrMx
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DroneBL
rbl.efnetrbl.org logoEFnet
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Fabel
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GBUdb
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ImproWare
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JIPPG Technologies
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Junk Email Filter
www.justspam.org logoJustSpamwww.kempt.net logoKempt.net
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Mail Baby
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Mailspike
www.nordspam.com logoNordSpamwww.nosolicitado.org logoNoSolicitado
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nsZones
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RedHawk
rv-soft.info logoRV-SOFT Technology
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Schulte
www.scientificspam.net logoScientific Spam
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Spam Eating Monkey
www.spamhaus.org logoSpamhauspsbl.org logoSpamikazewww.spamrats.com logoSpamRATSspfbl.net logoSPFBLsuomispam.net logoSuomispam
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SURBL
www.usenix.org.uk logoSystem 5 Hostingwww.team-cymru.com logoTeam Cymru
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UCEPROTECT
uribl.com logoURIBLwww.blocklist.de logowww.blocklist.de Fail2Ban-Reporting Servicezapbl.net logoZapBL
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Brukalai.lt
0spam.org logo0Spam
Blocklist icon
8086 Consultancy
abuse.ro logoabuse.ro
Blocklist icon
Abusix
wiki.alphanet.ch logoALPHANETanonmails.de logoAnonmails
Blocklist icon
Barracuda Networks
www.blockedservers.com logoBLOCKEDSERVERSdnsbl.calivent.com.pe logoCalivent Networkswww.spamcop.net logoCisco
Blocklist icon
dan.me.uk
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DrMx
Blocklist icon
DroneBL
rbl.efnetrbl.org logoEFnet
Blocklist icon
Fabel
Blocklist icon
GBUdb
Blocklist icon
ImproWare
Blocklist icon
JIPPG Technologies
Blocklist icon
Junk Email Filter
www.justspam.org logoJustSpamwww.kempt.net logoKempt.net
Blocklist icon
Mail Baby
Blocklist icon
Mailspike
www.nordspam.com logoNordSpamwww.nosolicitado.org logoNoSolicitado
Blocklist icon
nsZones
Blocklist icon
RedHawk
rv-soft.info logoRV-SOFT Technology
Blocklist icon
Schulte
www.scientificspam.net logoScientific Spam
Blocklist icon
Spam Eating Monkey
www.spamhaus.org logoSpamhauspsbl.org logoSpamikazewww.spamrats.com logoSpamRATSspfbl.net logoSPFBLsuomispam.net logoSuomispam
Blocklist icon
SURBL
www.usenix.org.uk logoSystem 5 Hostingwww.team-cymru.com logoTeam Cymru
Blocklist icon
UCEPROTECT
uribl.com logoURIBLwww.blocklist.de logowww.blocklist.de Fail2Ban-Reporting Servicezapbl.net logoZapBL
Blocklist icon
Brukalai.lt
0spam.org logo0Spam
Blocklist icon
8086 Consultancy
abuse.ro logoabuse.ro
Blocklist icon
Abusix
wiki.alphanet.ch logoALPHANETanonmails.de logoAnonmails
Blocklist icon
Barracuda Networks
www.blockedservers.com logoBLOCKEDSERVERSdnsbl.calivent.com.pe logoCalivent Networkswww.spamcop.net logoCisco
Blocklist icon
dan.me.uk
Blocklist icon
DrMx
Blocklist icon
DroneBL
rbl.efnetrbl.org logoEFnet
Blocklist icon
Fabel
Blocklist icon
GBUdb
Blocklist icon
ImproWare
Blocklist icon
JIPPG Technologies
Blocklist icon
Junk Email Filter
www.justspam.org logoJustSpamwww.kempt.net logoKempt.net
Blocklist icon
Mail Baby
Blocklist icon
Mailspike
www.nordspam.com logoNordSpamwww.nosolicitado.org logoNoSolicitado
Blocklist icon
nsZones
Blocklist icon
RedHawk
rv-soft.info logoRV-SOFT Technology
Blocklist icon
Schulte
www.scientificspam.net logoScientific Spam
Blocklist icon
Spam Eating Monkey
www.spamhaus.org logoSpamhauspsbl.org logoSpamikazewww.spamrats.com logoSpamRATSspfbl.net logoSPFBLsuomispam.net logoSuomispam
Blocklist icon
SURBL
www.usenix.org.uk logoSystem 5 Hostingwww.team-cymru.com logoTeam Cymru
Blocklist icon
UCEPROTECT
uribl.com logoURIBLwww.blocklist.de logowww.blocklist.de Fail2Ban-Reporting Servicezapbl.net logoZapBL
Blocklist icon
Brukalai.lt
0spam.org logo0Spam
Blocklist icon
8086 Consultancy
abuse.ro logoabuse.ro
Blocklist icon
Abusix
wiki.alphanet.ch logoALPHANETanonmails.de logoAnonmails
Blocklist icon
Barracuda Networks
www.blockedservers.com logoBLOCKEDSERVERSdnsbl.calivent.com.pe logoCalivent Networkswww.spamcop.net logoCisco
Blocklist icon
dan.me.uk
Blocklist icon
DrMx
Blocklist icon
DroneBL
rbl.efnetrbl.org logoEFnet
Blocklist icon
Fabel
Blocklist icon
GBUdb
Blocklist icon
ImproWare
Blocklist icon
JIPPG Technologies
Blocklist icon
Junk Email Filter
www.justspam.org logoJustSpamwww.kempt.net logoKempt.net
Blocklist icon
Mail Baby
Blocklist icon
Mailspike
www.nordspam.com logoNordSpamwww.nosolicitado.org logoNoSolicitado
Blocklist icon
nsZones
Blocklist icon
RedHawk
rv-soft.info logoRV-SOFT Technology
Blocklist icon
Schulte
www.scientificspam.net logoScientific Spam
Blocklist icon
Spam Eating Monkey
www.spamhaus.org logoSpamhauspsbl.org logoSpamikazewww.spamrats.com logoSpamRATSspfbl.net logoSPFBLsuomispam.net logoSuomispam
Blocklist icon
SURBL
www.usenix.org.uk logoSystem 5 Hostingwww.team-cymru.com logoTeam Cymru
Blocklist icon
UCEPROTECT
uribl.com logoURIBLwww.blocklist.de logowww.blocklist.de Fail2Ban-Reporting Servicezapbl.net logoZapBL
Blocklist icon
Brukalai.lt
0spam.org logo0Spam
Blocklist icon
8086 Consultancy
abuse.ro logoabuse.ro
Blocklist icon
Abusix
wiki.alphanet.ch logoALPHANETanonmails.de logoAnonmails
Blocklist icon
Barracuda Networks
www.blockedservers.com logoBLOCKEDSERVERSdnsbl.calivent.com.pe logoCalivent Networkswww.spamcop.net logoCisco
Blocklist icon
dan.me.uk
Blocklist icon
DrMx
Blocklist icon
DroneBL
rbl.efnetrbl.org logoEFnet
Blocklist icon
Fabel
Blocklist icon
GBUdb
Blocklist icon
ImproWare
Blocklist icon
JIPPG Technologies
Blocklist icon
Junk Email Filter
www.justspam.org logoJustSpamwww.kempt.net logoKempt.net
Blocklist icon
Mail Baby
Blocklist icon
Mailspike
www.nordspam.com logoNordSpamwww.nosolicitado.org logoNoSolicitado
Blocklist icon
nsZones
Blocklist icon
RedHawk
rv-soft.info logoRV-SOFT Technology
Blocklist icon
Schulte
www.scientificspam.net logoScientific Spam
Blocklist icon
Spam Eating Monkey
www.spamhaus.org logoSpamhauspsbl.org logoSpamikazewww.spamrats.com logoSpamRATSspfbl.net logoSPFBLsuomispam.net logoSuomispam
Blocklist icon
SURBL
www.usenix.org.uk logoSystem 5 Hostingwww.team-cymru.com logoTeam Cymru
Blocklist icon
UCEPROTECT
uribl.com logoURIBLwww.blocklist.de logowww.blocklist.de Fail2Ban-Reporting Servicezapbl.net logoZapBL
Blocklist icon
Brukalai.lt

What is Spamhaus Policy Blocklist (PBL)?

The Spamhaus Policy Blocklist (PBL) is a real-time database of IP address ranges that, according to policy, should not be sending email directly to other mail servers. It is not a traditional spam blacklist because it does not list IPs based on sending spam. Instead, the core policy is that emails from these IP addresses must be routed through an authenticated SMTP server, such as one provided by an ISP or a professional email service.

The PBL primarily contains end-user IP ranges, which includes both dynamic and static IPs. Networks use this blocklist to enforce their acceptable use policies. Technically, the data is mostly IPv4-based, but it does include IPv6 ranges, with many listings presented in CIDR format. It is important to remember that an IP on this blacklist (or blocklist) is not necessarily 'bad'; it is simply an IP address that should not be acting as a mail server.

  • Extensive coverage: The dataset contains over 1.4 billion IPv4 addresses, covering almost 40% of the routable IPv4 space.
  • High efficacy: Many network operators directly manage their listings within the PBL. Spamhaus researchers supplement this data by identifying IP space with high concentrations of 'botnet zombies'.
  • Low false positives: Because the list is based on policy rather than observed behavior, it effectively blocks mail from improper sources, resulting in very few legitimate emails being blocked.

Who runs Spamhaus Policy Blocklist (PBL)?

The Spamhaus Policy Blocklist (PBL) is operated and maintained by Spamhaus Project. Founded by Steve Linford in 1998, Spamhaus is a non-profit organization that has become a global authority on IP and domain reputation. Its mission is to improve internet trust and safety. A global team of researchers and analysts contributes to Spamhaus's intelligence on internet identifiers linked to spam, phishing, malware, and other malicious activities.

The project originally focused on a DNS Blocklist (DNSBL) for tracking spam-sending IPs. It has since expanded to provide a range of free datasets that protect billions of users. Spamhaus collaborates with the wider internet community, helping organizations manage service abuse and working with law enforcement to create a safer internet.

How do I get removed and delisted from Spamhaus Policy Blocklist (PBL)?

Since IPs on the PBL are not listed for misbehavior, the removal process is quite simple. If you run a mail server and believe your IP address is incorrectly on this blocklist, you can request removal. Spamhaus provides a self-service tool for this purpose.

To begin the delisting process, you must visit the official Spamhaus IP and Domain Reputation Checker. This is the only place where PBL removals are processed. You will need to enter your IP address and follow the on-screen steps. Based on the policy of the network that owns the IP range, end-users may be able to exclude their specific IP address from the PBL. You can find the checker and removal tool here.

What's the impact of being listed on Spamhaus Policy Blocklist (PBL)?

The impact of being listed on the Spamhaus Policy Blocklist (PBL) is high. Even though the list does not mean your IP is a source of spam, it is used extensively by mail administrators globally to filter inbound email. Consequently, any email sent directly from an IP address on the PBL will likely be rejected by a significant number of mail servers.

If your mail server's IP is on this blacklist, your emails will fail to reach any recipient whose email provider uses the PBL. To restore email delivery, you must send your emails through a properly configured, authenticated SMTP mail server that is not on the PBL, which is the standard configuration for all legitimate mail.

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