The UCEPROTECT BACKSCATTERER Blacklist is a specialized blocklist (or blacklist) that lists IP addresses for four weeks after they are detected sending misdirected bounces or autoresponders, commonly known as backscatter.
The UCEPROTECT BACKSCATTERER Blacklist is a specific type of Domain Name System-based Blackhole List (DNSBL) that targets servers engaging in backscatter. Backscatter occurs when a server incorrectly sends bounce messages, auto-replies, or sender callouts to an email address that did not originate the message. This blocklist (or blacklist) is maintained on the DNS zone ips.backscatterer.org.
Mail server administrators use this list to score or reject incoming connections from IP addresses known to generate this kind of misdirected traffic. UCEPROTECT advises users to implement the list in a safe mode, primarily for scoring, to avoid the potential loss of legitimate emails. The listing policy is straightforward:
The UCEPROTECT BACKSCATTERER Blacklist is operated by the UCEPROTECT-Network, a project with the stated mission of stopping global mail abuse. The organization believes that the most effective way to combat spam is not by filtering messages after delivery, but by forcing Internet Service Providers (ISPs), administrators, and carriers to implement preventative security measures.
UCEPROTECT operates on the principle that if system owners face significant consequences for poor security, they will be motivated to fix the underlying problems. Their network uses a cluster of servers and spam traps to automatically identify and list abusive IP addresses. They maintain that their listing and removal policies are clear and applied consistently without exception, making their blocklists a predictable tool for mail administrators.
The first and most crucial step for removal is to fix the server misconfiguration that is causing the backscatter. You must stop your server from sending misdirected bounces or auto-replies before you can be delisted.
Once the issue is resolved, removal from this blocklist is typically automatic and free. According to UCEPROTECT's general delisting policy, an IP address will expire from their lists seven days after the last abusive activity was detected. This contrasts with the four-week listing period mentioned specifically for the backscatterer list, but the seven-day automatic expiry is the standard removal timeframe.
UCEPROTECT also offers an optional, paid immediate removal service for those who cannot wait for the automatic expiry. However, this option is not always available and is subject to several conditions. Payment for delisting is not possible if any of the following are true:
The impact of being on the UCEPROTECT BACKSCATTERER Blacklist is generally considered low. It is a highly specialized list that targets a very specific issue. Many email receivers do not use this particular blacklist, and those that do may follow UCEPROTECT's recommendation to use it for scoring emails rather than outright blocking them. This means a listing might contribute to a higher spam score but may not cause an email to be rejected on its own.
Despite the low direct impact on deliverability, a listing on this blocklist is a clear indicator of a server configuration problem. Backscatter wastes network resources and can be an annoyance to the recipients of the misdirected messages, so it is a problem that should be addressed promptly.
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