Summary
Getting your domain listed on the Spamhaus Domain Blocklist (DBL) can severely impact your email deliverability, even if you are not actively sending emails from that domain. The DBL specifically targets domains found in the body or header of spam, phishing, or malware emails. Understanding how to contact Spamhaus and troubleshoot such a listing is crucial for maintaining a healthy sender reputation and ensuring your legitimate emails reach the inbox.
Key findings
- Automated delisting: The delisting process for Spamhaus DBL is largely automated, unlike other blocklists such as SBL, which may involve more direct communication.
- Limited direct contact: Finding a direct contact email for the Spamhaus DBL team is challenging, as inquiries are often handled through their automated removal center or general support channels.
- URL-based listings: DBL listings often occur when a domain is used in the body of spam or phishing emails, even if the emails are not sent from your own servers. This differentiates it from IP-based blocklists.
- Weblog investigation: If a domain is listed but not actively sending emails, examining weblogs for potential compromises or phishing pages is a critical step in troubleshooting.
Key considerations
- DMARC reports: While useful for tracking domain usage in the 'From' address, DMARC reports may not reveal instances where your domain is used in links within spam messages, necessitating other investigative methods.
- Affiliate marketing checks: Investigate whether your domain is being misused in affiliate marketing campaigns or by unauthorized third parties.
- CSS blocklist correlation: Check for listings on the Composite Snowshoe Blocklist (CSS). If your IPs are not also listed on CSS, the issue is likely not related to mail originating directly from your sending infrastructure.
- Spamhaus Removal Center: The primary channel for delisting is the Spamhaus Removal Center, where you can submit requests and often get initial information.
Spamhaus
0Spam
Cisco
NoSolicitado
URIBL
abuse.ro
ALPHANET
Anonmails
Ascams
BLOCKEDSERVERS
Calivent Networks
EFnet
JustSpam
Kempt.net
NordSpam
RV-SOFT Technology
Scientific Spam
Spamikaze
SpamRATS
SPFBL
Suomispam
System 5 Hosting
Team Cymru
Validity
www.blocklist.de Fail2Ban-Reporting Service
ZapBL
2stepback.dk
Fayntic Services
ORB UK
technoirc.org
TechTheftSpamhaus0SpamCiscoNoSolicitadoURIBLabuse.roALPHANETAnonmailsAscamsBLOCKEDSERVERSCalivent NetworksEFnetJustSpamKempt.netNordSpamRV-SOFT TechnologyScientific SpamSpamikazeSpamRATSSPFBLSuomispamSystem 5 HostingTeam CymruValiditywww.blocklist.de Fail2Ban-Reporting ServiceZapBL2stepback.dkFayntic ServicesORB UKtechnoirc.orgTechTheftSpamhaus0SpamCiscoNoSolicitadoURIBLabuse.roALPHANETAnonmailsAscamsBLOCKEDSERVERSCalivent NetworksEFnetJustSpamKempt.netNordSpamRV-SOFT TechnologyScientific SpamSpamikazeSpamRATSSPFBLSuomispamSystem 5 HostingTeam CymruValiditywww.blocklist.de Fail2Ban-Reporting ServiceZapBL2stepback.dkFayntic ServicesORB UKtechnoirc.orgTechTheftSpamhaus0SpamCiscoNoSolicitadoURIBLabuse.roALPHANETAnonmailsAscamsBLOCKEDSERVERSCalivent NetworksEFnetJustSpamKempt.netNordSpamRV-SOFT TechnologyScientific SpamSpamikazeSpamRATSSPFBLSuomispamSystem 5 HostingTeam CymruValiditywww.blocklist.de Fail2Ban-Reporting ServiceZapBL2stepback.dkFayntic ServicesORB UKtechnoirc.orgTechTheftSpamhaus0SpamCiscoNoSolicitadoURIBLabuse.roALPHANETAnonmailsAscamsBLOCKEDSERVERSCalivent NetworksEFnetJustSpamKempt.netNordSpamRV-SOFT TechnologyScientific SpamSpamikazeSpamRATSSPFBLSuomispamSystem 5 HostingTeam CymruValiditywww.blocklist.de Fail2Ban-Reporting ServiceZapBL2stepback.dkFayntic ServicesORB UKtechnoirc.orgTechTheftWhat email marketers say
Email marketers frequently encounter challenges with Spamhaus DBL listings, often finding the process to be highly automated and difficult to get direct answers from. Their experiences highlight the need for robust internal compliance processes and a deep understanding of potential misuse vectors beyond direct sending.
Key opinions
- Client engagement: Marketers typically handle delisting requests on behalf of clients, but only after engaging with the client to understand and resolve the root cause of the listing.
- DBL vs SBL automation: There's a general consensus that DBL delistings are more automated compared to SBL, making it harder to get detailed explanations about the listing reason.
- Investigation is key: Even when a domain isn't actively used for sending, marketers realize the importance of investigating why it's been blacklisted, often suspecting unauthorized use.
- Affiliate marketing concerns: Many marketers suspect that third-party misuse, such as in spammy affiliate marketing links, can lead to DBL listings even if legitimate sending practices are followed.
Marketer from Email Geeks asks if delisting is usually handled by the client or if someone at the client's site handles that process.
User from Mail-in-a-Box Forum describes being unable to send emails due to a recent Spamhaus DBL listing impacting their domain.
What the experts say
Experts in email deliverability emphasize that DBL listings, especially for domains not actively sending, typically point to external misuse. They provide critical insights into diagnostic methods beyond traditional email authentication checks and highlight the close relationship between different types of blocklists.
Key opinions
- Weblog analysis: For DBL listings involving unused URLs, experts strongly advise checking weblogs to identify potential phishing pages or compromised web assets.
- Phishing detection: A common cause for DBL listings is a phishing page hosted on the domain, with spam emails directing users to it.
- DBL and CSS link: Experts note a close intertwining between DBL and CSS (Composite Snowshoe Blocklist) listings. If your sending IPs are not on CSS, the DBL listing is unlikely to be related to mail originating directly from your sending infrastructure.
- DMARC limitations: DMARC reports are primarily for email authentication (`From:` addresses) and will not reveal instances where your domain is used in malicious URLs within message bodies by third parties.
- Limited DBL contact: Experts acknowledge the difficulty in directly contacting the Spamhaus DBL team, suggesting automated systems handle most inquiries, though specific email addresses for listings may exist.
Expert from Email Geeks advises beginning the investigation into a DBL listing for an unused URL by looking at weblogs, which can reveal suspicious activity.
Expert from Spamresource emphasizes the importance of promptly investigating the root cause of a DBL listing, as automated delisting alone does not resolve the underlying issues.
What the documentation says
Official documentation from Spamhaus and other industry sources provides crucial information about the function of the DBL and the proper procedures for addressing listings. It clarifies that the DBL is specifically designed to combat spam and phishing by identifying and listing domains associated with such malicious activities, regardless of the sending IP.
Key findings
- DBL's purpose: The Spamhaus DBL (Domain Blocklist) is a comprehensive list of domains identified as being linked to spam, phishing, or malware campaigns.
- Listing triggers: Domains are listed on DBL primarily when they appear in the body of spam emails (e.g., as URLs in links) or in certain email headers.
- Combating unwanted email: DBL serves as a critical tool for email service providers and mail servers to filter out unwanted and malicious email traffic.
- Automated removal: The Spamhaus Removal Center offers an automated process for requesting DBL delistings, but it requires the domain owner to resolve the underlying issue first.
Spamhaus Technology documentation states that the Spamhaus DBL operates to combat unwanted email by keeping a comprehensive list of domains that are linked to spam and malware activities.
Brander Group documentation explains that the Spamhaus DBL serves as a critical blocklist that works to combat unsolicited email by maintaining a thorough list of domains associated with spam and malware.
