The Abusix Spam Blocklist is a real-time IP-based blacklist that identifies and lists sending servers based on messages sent to spam traps, as well as through automated heuristics and manual entries to create a comprehensive blocklist.
The Abusix Spam Blocklist is a real-time, IP-based blacklist that contains the IP addresses of hosts known to have sent emails to their spam traps. These traps are domains that have never been used for legitimate mail or have been dormant for over a year. Abusix is a widely used security feed, leveraged by Internet Service Providers, telecommunications companies, and cloud or hosting providers to filter spam and malicious traffic. This blocklist helps protect networks from a variety of email-based threats.
Technically, the zone for this blacklist is black.mail.abusix.zone. It lists both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses. A listing on this blocklist typically lasts for about 5.2 days after the last unwanted activity was detected. Common reasons for an IP address to be added to this list include:
Compromised user accounts or infected hosts within a network.
Activity from botnets or organized spam operations.
Sending emails to purchased or appended email lists.
Poor list hygiene, such as not having a confirmed opt-in process or proper bounce management.
Traffic from open proxies, TOR exit nodes, or certain VPNs.
When a mail server queries this blocklist, Abusix returns specific codes. A return of 127.0.0.2 means the IP directly sent mail to a primary spam trap. A return of 127.0.0.3 means the IP was identified through automated heuristics as having a very low reputation. Lastly, 127.0.0.200 is a semi-permanent manual listing.
Who runs Abusix Spam Blocklist
The Abusix Spam Blocklist is operated by Abusix, a company specializing in network abuse management, email security, and threat intelligence. The company focuses on creating security solutions to protect networks. Their goal is to stop threats transmitted via email and network traffic before they reach end-users. They work closely with ISPs, hosting companies, and other providers to identify and mitigate threats at the source.
How to get removed and delisted from Abusix Spam Blocklist
Getting removed from the Abusix Spam Blocklist is a straightforward process, but it requires you to first identify and fix the root cause of the listing. Abusix provides a self-service removal portal.
Identify the cause: Before requesting delisting, ensure you have resolved the underlying issue. This means securing a compromised account, cleaning a malware infection, or correcting your mailing list practices.
Create a free account: If the IP is listed, you need to sign up for a free account to proceed. Abusix requires account verification to prevent abuse of the delisting system. Delisting itself is free and does not require a paid plan.
Request removal: Once logged into the portal, follow the instructions to request the removal of your IP address from the blocklist.
Delisting requests are processed immediately. DNS queries reflect the change instantly, but it takes up to five minutes for the change to propagate to all customer systems that use RSYNC to sync the data.
What is the impact of being listed on Abusix Spam Blocklist
The impact of being on the Abusix Spam Blocklist is medium. Because this blacklist is used by a wide range of internet, hosting, and telecommunication providers, a listing causes significant email delivery failures. Any email sent from a listed IP address is rejected by receiving mail servers, resulting in bounce messages. This disrupts business communications, marketing campaigns, and transactional emails, preventing you from reaching customers, partners, and suppliers.
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