abuse.ro Realtime Block List (RBL)
The abuse.ro RBL is a blocklist (blacklist) identifying IP addresses flagged as spam sources via their spamtrap network.
Updated on 17 Jun 2026: We updated this guide with direct abuse.ro RBL lookup steps, response code meanings, and clearer delisting guidance.
Summarize with
Check if you are listed on abuse.ro Realtime Block List (RBL)
And 143 other blocklists.
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 is abuse.ro Realtime Block List (RBL)?
The abuse.ro Realtime Block List (RBL), published at rbl.abuse.ro, is an IP-based DNS blocklist (DNSBL) that identifies IP addresses and IP classes known for sending spam. It operates based on a policy of listing sources that send unsolicited email to its network of spamtraps, which are email addresses created specifically to attract spam. The last IP address in the email headers before the destination is the one that gets added to this blacklist.
Mail server administrators use this blocklist to help filter incoming email. Abuse.ro itself does not block any email; it only publishes a list of addresses it considers probable spam sources. The decision to reject, score, or filter messages from a listed IP rests entirely with the operators of the email servers that use this blacklist. Do not send abuse.ro requests to delist an email address.
An IP address can be listed under the following circumstances:
- If a message is received by an abuse.ro spamtrap from a host that appears suspicious or primarily used for spam, the listing can be immediate.
- If the sending server is a shared mail server with significant legitimate use, the operator can receive time to resolve the issue before a listing occurs.
- Operators known to support spam or operators with previous listings can be added to the blocklist immediately.
- Neighboring IP addresses can also be listed if they seem related to a primary listed IP and are likely sources of similar spam.
Who runs abuse.ro Realtime Block List (RBL)?
The blocklist is run by abuse.ro, which describes itself as a collection of classification and reputation databases for public IP addresses and web domains. Abuse.ro publishes separate realtime lists for IP addresses and domains, with rbl.abuse.ro used for spam sending IPs and classes.
How do I check an abuse.ro RBL listing?
Abuse.ro RBL checks use the standard DNSBL format: reverse the IPv4 octets and append rbl.abuse.ro. For example, 10.11.12.13 is queried as 13.12.11.10.rbl.abuse.ro. A returned A record means the IP is listed; an empty or NXDOMAIN result means it is not listed.
Example direct lookupBASH
dig 13.12.11.10.rbl.abuse.ro nslookup 13.12.11.10.rbl.abuse.ro
For rbl.abuse.ro, the DNS response code explains the listing type:
- 127.0.0.2 means a spam sending IP.
- 127.0.0.3 means an abused or infected IP.
- 127.0.0.4 means a spam sending class, so check the scope carefully because it applies beyond one host.
How do I get removed and delisted from abuse.ro Realtime Block List (RBL)?
The delisting process from this blacklist is strictly manual. Before you request removal, you must stop the source of the spam and confirm the IP is still listed through a direct DNS query. The request must come from the owner of the IP block, not the end user.
Before requesting delisting, you should:
- Confirm your IP address is actually on the abuse.ro RBL. The operators advise against relying solely on third-party tools and provide instructions for checking directly using nslookup or dig. If the direct query returns no abuse.ro response code, there is no active RBL listing to delist.
- Identify and resolve the cause of the spam. This can include cleaning infected mailboxes or, if you send newsletters, removing any subscribers who have not explicitly opted in.
- Confirm that you or your company is the registered owner of the IP address block. If you are not the owner, contact your email or hosting provider to handle the delisting request.
Once the problem is fixed, the IP block owner must send an email to admin [@] abuse.ro with the subject line format: "Delist IP: [your.ip.address.here]". The abuse.ro team can ask for evidence that the spam has stopped before delisting the IP address. Delisting can be delayed if the operator continues to provide services to the spammer.
What's the impact of being listed on abuse.ro Realtime Block List (RBL)?
The impact of being on the abuse.ro Realtime Block List (RBL) depends on whether recipient mail servers use rbl.abuse.ro for SMTP IP verification. Sites that use the list can reject a message during SMTP, add a spam score, or filter the message before it reaches the inbox. Because adoption varies by recipient, a listing usually causes narrower delivery problems than a broadly used blacklist, but the affected recipients can still see direct rejections.
In Suped's DMARC reporting workflow, compare the listed IP with authenticated sending sources before requesting delisting. That separates approved infrastructure from a compromised account or unknown sender, which makes the abuse.ro cleanup evidence easier to prepare.
Other abuse.ro blocklists
abuse.ro Domain Blacklist (DBL)
Organization
abuse.ro
Zone
dbl.abuse.ro
Type
Domain
Impact
Low
Delisting
Manual
abuse.ro Policy Block List (PBL)
Organization
abuse.ro
Zone
pbl.abuse.ro
Type
IP
Impact
Low
Delisting
Manual
abuse.ro Uniform Resource Identifier Blacklist (URIBL)
Organization
abuse.ro
Zone
uribl.abuse.ro
Type
Domain
Impact
Low
Delisting
Manual
