How to identify and resolve Spamhaus CSS and DBL listing issues for corporate email?
Summary
What email marketers say10Marketer opinions
Email marketer from Campaign Monitor answers to segment email lists to send relevant content to subscribers and avoid sending bulk emails that may trigger spam filters. Tailor your messaging to specific audience segments to improve engagement and reduce spam complaints.
Email marketer from Validity(Previously ReturnPath) mentions maintaining consistent email sending volumes to establish a positive sender reputation. Sudden spikes in email volume can trigger spam filters and result in deliverability issues.
Marketer from Email Geeks recommends implementing DMARC, utilizing Google Postmaster Tools and Microsoft SNDS, carefully examining list hygiene, and being aware of Spamhaus's perspective on email practices. He also suggests taking concrete actions to address the issue before contacting Spamhaus.
Email marketer from Reddit recommends investigating compromised email accounts within the organization. Look for suspicious login activity, unusual email sending patterns, and potential malware infections that could be sending spam without your knowledge.
Email marketer from MXToolbox Forum says to check for open proxies or compromised scripts on your web server that might be used to send spam. Regularly scan your web server for vulnerabilities and ensure that all software is up to date.
Marketer from Email Geeks suggests doing an internal inventory check for any cold email setups made by people within the company.
Email marketer from Talos Intelligence recommends using the Talos Intelligence Email and Web Reputation Center to check the reputation of your sending IPs and domains. This can help identify if your IPs/domains are listed on any blocklists and provide insights into potential issues.
Email marketer from Mailjet emphasizes implementing email authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, and DMARC) to improve deliverability and prevent domain spoofing. Configure these records correctly and monitor DMARC reports to identify potential authentication issues.
Email marketer from Stackoverflow shares that checking your domain's reputation is crucial. Use tools like Google's Postmaster Tools and Microsoft's SNDS to monitor IP and domain reputation. Identify if your domain has been blacklisted by checking it against various blocklists.
Email marketer from Sendgrid mentions monitoring bounce rates to identify deliverability issues. High bounce rates can indicate problems with your email list or sending practices. Clean your email list regularly and remove invalid or inactive email addresses.
What the experts say5Expert opinions
Expert from Email Geeks explains the root cause of the listing is that the IP and domain configuration resembles a pattern seen with snowshoe spammers. This could be related to the hostname or the nameservers being used. It might also be due to mail from many different sources using the URL.
Expert from Word to the Wise says that to effectively combat Spamhaus listings, it's crucial to monitor outbound email traffic for unusual patterns, compromised accounts, or open relays. Regularly review email logs and implement security measures to prevent abuse.
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that Spamhaus listings, especially CSS and DBL, often result from patterns associated with spam-like behavior. She emphasizes understanding the specific reasons behind the listing, as provided by Spamhaus, to address the root cause effectively.
Expert from Email Geeks suggests investigating employee email activity and scanning the website for open proxies, compromises, or other security issues that could be contributing to the Spamhaus listing.
Expert from Word to the Wise suggests taking concrete steps to resolve the underlying issues before contacting Spamhaus for delisting. This includes investigating the cause of the listing, implementing corrective measures, and documenting your efforts to demonstrate a commitment to resolving the problem.
What the documentation says5Technical articles
Documentation from Google Postmaster Tools Help shares that senders can use Google Postmaster Tools to diagnose sudden drops in email delivery. It can help identify if there are authentication issues, spam complaints, or unusual traffic patterns originating from the sending domain.
Documentation from Spamhaus explains that the CSS (Spamhaus Exploits Block List) lists IPs involved in spam or malicious activities. While specific criteria are not revealed, the listed IP's behavior matches several undisclosed criteria indicating spam-like activity.
Documentation from RFC explains that an SPF (Sender Policy Framework) record is a DNS record that specifies the mail servers authorized to send email on behalf of your domain. It helps prevent spammers from forging your domain in the 'From' address.
Documentation from Spamhaus explains the DBL (Domain Block List) lists domains found in spam emails. Listings indicate the domain is actively being used in spam or is related to spamming activities.
Documentation from Microsoft explains using SNDS (Smart Network Data Services) to monitor the reputation of your sending IP addresses. SNDS provides data about spam complaints and other issues that may affect deliverability to Outlook.com and Hotmail users.