My mail server is on a blacklist. Can you help me?

If a mail server is misused for sending spam messages, it may end up on a blacklist. If your mail server has been blacklisted, there are a few steps you can take to have it removed:

• 1. Check the blacklist

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  First of all, you need to find out which blacklist your mail server is on. There are various services that can help you with this, such as
  • MXToolbox
    
  • MultiRBL
    
  • DNSBL.info
    
• 2. Determine the cause of the blacklist entry

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  In most cases, you will find more information on the blacklist website as to why your mail server was blacklisted. Common reasons are
  • Sending spam
  • Open relay
  • Infection with malware
• 3. Fix the problem

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  Before you request the removal of your mail server from the blacklist, you need to fix the underlying problem. This includes
  • Checking and cleaning the mail server of malware
  • Ensuring that your mail server is not configured as an open relay
  • Implementing anti-spam measures (e.g. SPF, DKIM, DMARC)
  • Check the mail queue and remove spam emails
• 4. Submit a removal request

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  Once the problem has been resolved, you can request to be removed from the blacklist. There is usually a way to make such a request on the blacklist websites. This often requires filling out a form and sometimes a manual check.
• 5. Follow up

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  Check regularly to see if your mail server has been removed from the blacklist and if new problems occur. It may take some time for your request to be processed.

Specific steps for some of the common blacklists

• Spamhaus

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  • Go to the Spamhaus Blocklist Removal Center.
  • Enter the IP address of your mail server and follow the removal instructions.
• SORBS

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  • Visit SORBS Removal Request.
  • Enter the IP address of your mail server and follow the instructions.
• Barracuda

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  • Go to the Barracuda Central Reputation System.
  • Enter the IP address and request removal.
• SpamCop

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  • Visit the SpamCop Blocking List (SCBL).
  • Enter the IP address and follow the instructions.

Each blacklist has its own guidelines and procedures for removal. It is therefore important to follow the instructions on the respective website carefully.

How can EuropeanMX help me to avoid being blacklisted?

To prevent the sending of spam messages and to protect the reputation of your mail server, we offer our customers an outgoing spam relay. By using our outgoing servers, all outgoing messages from your mail server can be checked for spam and an entry on a blacklist can be prevented. After successful setup, the messages are sent via our filter cloud. 

If you have any questions about our Secure SMTP, our support will be happy to help you.