Email security

Spamhaus Deliverability Live (Ep9) - Five essential steps for every ESP to avoid blocklists

It's time for the Spamhaus Deliverability Live ep9: "Blockbusters: Five essential steps for every ESP to avoid blocklists." Lauren and Mel share all in this 15-minute deliverability fix, packed with expert insights to keep your customers on track and stay out of blocklists!

A misuse of Spamhaus blocklists: PART 2 - How to limit outbound spam

If you’ve skipped the first part of this series, we strongly recommend you go and read this blog first (link below), to understand the misuse of Spamhaus blocklists to block outbound mail. However, if you provide a mail service and want to learn specifically how to limit your outbound spam, read on.

A misuse of Spamhaus blocklists: PART 1 - blocking outbound email

One issue our folks handling tickets submitted by blocked users experience are messages like: Help! My IP is listed by Spamhaus and now I can’t send emails! My provider is rejecting all my emails! You may be asking “Is this not exactly what is supposed to happen in case of a listing?”. Surprising, the answer is “No, it is not!” This is a misuse of our blocklists

If you query the legacy DNSBLs via GoDaddy move to Spamhaus Technology’s free Data Query Service

Currently accessing the free legacy DNS Blocklists (DNSBLs) via the Public Mirrors, and using GoDaddy's network? You'll need to make some minor changes to your email infrastructure. The changes are simple to implement, but if you fail to do so, you could find that at some point post-September 26th 2024, all or none of your email is blocked!

The Policy Blocklist: what is it, and why should you be on it?

It’s not always "bad" to be listed on one of Spamhaus' DNS Blocklists. Despite what you may think, there is one list you may want to be on: the Policy Blocklist (PBL). Want to know more? Let's dive into the PBL, what it is, how it works, and how it affects users. Whether you're an Internet Service Provider (ISP) or an end user, find out everything you need to know.

If you query the legacy DNSBLs via Vultr move to Spamhaus Technology’s free Data Query Service

If you are currently accessing the free legacy DNS Blocklists (DNSBLs) via the Public Mirrors, and you’re using Vultr infrastructure - you'll need to make some minor changes to your email infrastructure. The changes are easy to implement, but if you fail to do so, you could find that at some point post-May 22nd 2024, all or none of your email is blocked!

If you query the legacy DNSBLs via DigitalOcean move to Spamhaus Technology's free Data Query Service

If you are currently accessing the free DNS Blocklists (DNSBLs) via the Public Mirrors, and you’re using DigitalOcean infrastructure - you'll need to make some minor changes to your email infrastructure. The changes are easy to implement, but if you fail to do so, you could find that at some point post-February 14th 2024, all or none of your email is blocked!

Part 2 – Effective strategies against inbound malicious email: using your own data

Having looked at best practices for utilizing blocklists in the first part of this series, let’s explore the value of maximizing your own data to protect your network from malicious inbound emails. After all, your email infrastructure contains data that may only occur on your specific network.

QNAME Minimization and Spamhaus DNSBLs

On October 4th the Internet Systems Consortium (ISC) issued an article highlighting a problem with Spamhaus’ RBLDNS servers incorrectly answering partial queries that are sent due to QNAME minimization. Our technical team has deployed an initial patch for this issue, and we are in open dialogue with the ISC as...

If you query the legacy DNSBLs via OVHCloud move to Spamhaus Technology's free Data Query Service

Are you currently using the Spamhauss DNS Blocklists (DNSBLs) via OVHCloud? If you've answered "yes" to both of these questions, you need to make some changes to your email infrastructure.

Best practice for owners of a newly registered domain: PART 3

Nurture your new domain and successfully build its reputation to ensure it’s an asset for the long term, not just the next 10 minutes. Learn how in this best practice.

If you query the legacy DNSBLs via Amazon Web Services' DNS move to Spamhaus Technology's free Data Query Service

Are you currently using Spamhaus’ free DNS Blocklists (DNSBLs) and use Amazon Web Services' DNS? If you've answered "yes" to both of these questions, you need to make some changes to your email infrastructure.

Getting a Spamhaus error when using phpBB? Here’s what’s going on

If you're using phpBB and have recently started getting an error from Spamhaus, in this blog post we explain what’s going on and a simple fix.

The holiday hack – a reminder of why you shouldn’t always trust emails

Here’s a cautionary tale to anyone and everyone who uses email. The learning is simple: Always be vigilant, especially if its content asks you to provide personal information or click on links and download files.

Authentication and encryption for email

One of the first steps to ensuring good domain/IP reputation and consequently successful email deliverability is authentication and encryption - it helps receivers "trust" your email. This article provides a clear overview of what's required including SPF, DKIM and DMARC.