Key takeaways:
- IP blacklisting helps protect users worldwide from known spam sources.
- There are many different types of blacklists.
- It’s essential to take the right steps to prevent your organization from being blacklisted.
Are your emails suddenly failing to reach inboxes? Your IP address might be blacklisted. The United States has more than five million IPs listed on various blacklists, placing it among the top ten countries with the most flagged activity.
In this guide, we’ll explain IP blacklisting, why it happens, how to check your IP status, steps to get delisted, and what you can do to prevent it from happening again.
What does getting IP blacklisted mean?
Getting IP blacklisted means that one or more blacklist database has flagged your IP address for suspicious or harmful activities like:
- Sending spam
- Spreading malware through email
- Attacking mail servers
Organizations like DNS-based Blackhole Lists (DNSBL), Spamhaus, and others maintain these blacklist databases. They monitor global internet traffic for harmful behavior. When they detect abuse linked to an IP address, they add it to their list to help email servers and service providers block unwanted or dangerous messages.
Email servers and service providers rely on these blacklists to filter incoming mail. If they find your IP on a blacklist, they may block your emails or send them straight to spam.
This disrupts your business communications and damages your reputation, especially if you rely on email for customer communication. Until you resolve the issue and get removed from the blacklist, you’ll be unable to deliver your emails.
How to remove your IP from being blacklisted
To keep sending emails, here are four simple steps you can take toward blacklist removal.
1. Identify the type of blacklist you are in
Start by checking the type of blacklist your IP belongs to. There are two types of IP blacklist:
- External blacklists. These are public databases managed by third-party organizations like DNSBL and Spamhaus.
- Internal blacklists. These are maintained by individual ISPs, hosting providers, or private organizations. Your IP might not appear on public tools but could still be blocked by specific providers based on their internal policies.
To check, use blacklist checking tools like:
These tools scan external blacklist databases and show if your IP is listed.
If you don’t see your IP on any of the external blacklists, you’re probably on an internal blacklist. In that case, contact your email service provider to regain access and resolve the issue.
2. Review delisting instructions from each blacklist
Each blacklist has its own removal process. Visit the official site of the blacklist and follow their specific delisting instructions.
Usually, blacklists won’t remove an IP if they detect ongoing issues. Consider these methods before submitting removal requests:
- Scan your email server for malware or signs of a security breach.
- Stop any spam-like email activity immediately.
- Review your email sending practices and remove any suspicious recipients or outdated mailing lists.
It’s also important to note that not all blacklists require manual requests. Some automatically delist IPs after a set period, especially if the issues are fixed. This usually happens within a week or two.
3. Submit a removal request
Once you’ve resolved the problem, submit a delisting request through the blacklist’s official page.
Explain how the spam incident occurred. Maybe a team member made a mistake, or a hacker got into your system. Be transparent about any spammers who may have exploited your server.
Also, acknowledge the steps you’ve taken to fix the issue. This way, the blacklist team will provide further instructions. Include all relevant details to help their team make a decision more quickly.
4. Monitor your status
After submitting a request, keep checking your IP’s status. Some blacklists respond quickly, while others may take several days.
Continue to monitor your mail server logs. If you’re still unable to send emails to specific inboxes, follow up with those providers directly.
How to avoid getting blacklisted
1. Protect your email with built-in security tools
Email security tools help block possible threats that can harm your system. These tools act like a shield for your inbox by scanning messages, quarantining suspicious content, and stopping attacks before they spread.
Network Solutions’ email solutions include built-in, industry-standard antivirus and anti-spam filters. These help you catch threats early before they cause harm.
For added protection, consider upgrading to Network Solutions’ Professional Email Plus plan. It includes Guard Encryption, a webmail feature that encrypts emails and files using Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) technology. This helps secure sensitive details and protects your domain spammers.
2. Respond right away
Vigilance is key to ensuring that your security measures work. Train your team to stay alert, especially when your tools flag unusual activity or detect possible threats.
Many blacklisting issues start with one phishing email. If it goes unnoticed, it could install malware and spread across your network. So, it’s important to have a response process in place.
3. Use a strong computer protection
The last step is cleaning up any problems your security tools find on your computer. Endpoint protection is software that acts like a security guard for each device, looking for viruses and other harmful programs.
These tools can fix infected computers, remove malware, and install security patches to prevent future access by attackers. When paired with strong email security, endpoint tools give you full-circle protection.
Secure your IP address now
Getting blacklisted can potentially damage your online reputation. Fortunately, it’s fixable. By identifying the type of blacklist, following removal steps, and improving your email security, you can restore your operation and keep your messages landing where they should.
With the right tools in place, you reduce your chances of getting blacklisted again. Network Solutions makes management easy and secure. From professional email with built-in filters to powerful encryption and domain protection, you can rest assured that your business is safe.
