What is BLOCKEDSERVERS Spam Blocklist?
The BLOCKEDSERVERS Spam Blocklist is a DNS-based Blacklist (DNSBL) that lists IP addresses suspected of sending spam. It operates under the zone name spam.rbl.blockedservers.com. Mail server administrators can use this blacklist to query against incoming email connections and reject or flag messages that originate from a listed IP address.
Based on the policy information available, BLOCKEDSERVERS appears to be used within a weighted scoring system. In this system, different blacklists are assigned a score. A listing on the BLOCKEDSERVERS blocklist itself contributes a score of 1.25, which is lower than many other prominent lists. This means that an IP's presence on this particular blacklist will contribute to its overall spam score, but may not be enough on its own to cause a block, depending on the mail server's configuration.
Who runs BLOCKEDSERVERS Spam Blocklist?
The blocklist is run by an organization known as BLOCKEDSERVERS. Detailed information about the company is not widely available. However, they do publish technical details about their policy weighting, which shows how they score various blocklists (including their own) for filtering purposes. This suggests a focus on providing configurable anti-spam tools for system administrators.
How do I get removed and delisted from BLOCKEDSERVERS Spam Blocklist?
The delisting process for the BLOCKEDSERVERS Spam Blocklist is automated. To request removal, you must first perform a lookup of your IP address on their website. If your IP is listed on the blacklist, a delisting form will be made available for you to submit a removal request.
Before you request delisting from any blocklist, it is crucial to identify and fix the underlying issue that caused the listing. Here are some steps you should take:
- Investigate the source: Review your mail server logs to find any unusual activity, high volume of sent emails, or a large number of bounced messages that could indicate a compromised account or spamming script.
- Scan for malware: Run a thorough scan of your server and any associated computers for viruses, malware, or rootkits that could be sending spam without your knowledge.
- Secure your systems: Ensure you do not have an open relay. Also, secure all web forms, contact forms, and comment sections with a CAPTCHA or similar verification method to prevent abuse by spambots.
- Check sending practices: If you send marketing emails, confirm that you are following best practices like using double opt-in and providing a clear unsubscribe link.
What's the impact of being listed on BLOCKEDSERVERS Spam Blocklist?
The direct impact of being listed on the BLOCKEDSERVERS Spam Blocklist is considered low. As seen in their own published policy weights, a listing on their specific blacklist (rbl.blockedservers.com) carries a relatively low score compared to other major blacklists. This means that a listing here will contribute negatively to your sender reputation but may not be sufficient on its own to get your emails blocked by receiving servers.
However, the true impact depends on how an email administrator has configured their systems. If they have set a low threshold for their spam score, even a low-impact blocklist listing could be enough to tip the scales and cause email delivery failures. Therefore, any listing on a blacklist (or blocklist) should be treated seriously and resolved quickly to protect your email deliverability.
Other BLOCKEDSERVERS blocklists