Guide to Removing Your IP Address from a Blacklist
- What is Blacklisting?
- Tips to Avoid Being Blacklisted
- How to Check if You’re Blacklisted
- Reasons for Being Blacklisted
- Steps to Remove Your IP Address from a Blacklist
What is Blacklisting?
A blacklist is a list of entities, such as IP addresses, that are blocked from accessing certain systems or services. In the context of Leaseweb, a blacklist typically refers to an email blacklist. If your IP is blacklisted, any emails sent from it will either fail to reach the recipient or end up in their spam folder.
IP addresses can also appear on "greylists," where they are temporarily blocked until an additional action is completed. This often occurs when no reverse DNS (rDNS) is configured. In contrast, a whitelist is a list of trusted entities allowed access to a system.
Tips to Avoid Being Blacklisted
To minimize the risk of being blacklisted, follow these guidelines:
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Use Double Opt-In: When sending marketing emails, ensure that the recipients' email addresses were collected via double opt-in, and include a valid unsubscribe link. Single opt-in practices are generally prohibited under anti-spam regulations.
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Set Up Essential DNS Records: Proper DNS configuration can help prevent blacklisting. Key records to configure include:
- PTR record: Maps an IP address to a domain name.
- SPF record: Specifies which IP addresses are authorized to send emails on behalf of your domain.
- DKIM record: Adds a digital signature to your email to verify its authenticity.
Other factors that may result in blacklisting include a compromised server, hosting a TOR exit node, or an IP address being part of a "dirty" range.
How to Check if You’re Blacklisted
Several tools can help you determine if your IP address is blacklisted:
- MXToolbox: Checks your IP against major blacklists. If your IP is listed, the tool will display a red alert with a link to the blacklist site, where you can find delisting instructions.
- BlacklistAlert: Similar to MXToolbox, this tool also shows blacklist status and provides links for delisting.
Reasons for Being Blacklisted
IP addresses can be blacklisted for a variety of reasons, including:
- Sending spam
- Hosting an open proxy or a TOR exit node
- Not having a properly configured rDNS or DNS records
- Infected servers being used for spam by bots
Failing to address a report or complaint can lead to your IP being blacklisted, which may block your email, web, or even country-wide access.
Steps to Remove Your IP Address from a Blacklist
For most blacklists, delisting is a straightforward process that you can initiate yourself. Below are the common blacklists and the actions required to get delisted:
Blacklist | Action to Take |
---|---|
SORBS | Create an account and request delisting |
Trend Micro | Request delisting |
Barracuda | Look up reputation and request delisting |
DroneBL | Look up reputation and request delisting |
WPBL | Request delisting |
SPAMRATS | Request delisting for RATS-Dyna, RATS-NoPtr, RATS-Spam, or RATS-Auth |
INPS_DE | Request removal |
0SPAM | Remove the issue, create an account, and request delisting |
MIPSPace | Request delisting |
Spamcop | Automatically delisted after 24 hours without new reports |
Spamhaus | Request delisting |
Suomispam | Request delisting |
For Microsoft (Hotmail, Live, Outlook, MSN):
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Secure Your Server: If the blacklist was due to a compromised email account, ensure your mail server and websites are secured.
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Check Other Blacklists: Use a tool like MXToolbox to verify your IP against other blacklists. If listed, follow the delisting instructions provided.
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Set an SPF Record: Microsoft blocks emails from IPs that aren’t listed in the domain’s SPF record. Set up an SPF record to authorize specific servers to send mail on behalf of your domain.
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Set a PTR Record: Microsoft also blocks emails from IPs without a PTR record. Configure this through your DNS settings or hosting provider’s control panel.
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Verify Mail Server Setup: Use the MXToolbox diagnostics tool to ensure your email server is configured correctly.
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Request Delisting from Microsoft: After completing the steps above, submit a delisting request via Microsoft’s sender information form.