How to resolve Validity sender score DNS lookup deprecation?

Summary

Validity's decision to deprecate free Sender Score DNS lookups necessitates several solutions: registering IPs for continued access (especially for high-volume users), exploring commercial alternatives, implementing local DNS solutions (like Unbound server), or leveraging services like Spamhaus DQS, Proofpoint ET Intelligence, or Talos Intelligence's IP & Domain Reputation Center. Domain reputation is gaining importance, and contacting Validity support might be helpful. Monitoring sender reputation is still important. Consider the accuracy and cost-effectiveness of alternatives. Setting up local/redundant DNS requires technical expertise.

Key findings

  • Sender Score Deprecation: Validity has deprecated free Sender Score DNS lookups.
  • Validity IP Registration: Registering IPs is required for continued access to Sender Score (for high-volume).
  • Local DNS Solution: Setting up a local (e.g., Unbound) or redundant DNS server can resolve the issue.
  • Commercial Alternatives Exist: Commercial IP reputation services are available.
  • DQS as an Alternative: Spamhaus DQS is an alternative with registration requirements.
  • Domain reputation: Domain reputation is increasingly important.
  • Monitor Sender Reputation: Monitoring sender reputation and score is very important.

Key considerations

  • Cost: Commercial IP reputation services involve costs.
  • Technical Expertise: Setting up local/redundant DNS requires technical knowledge.
  • Registration Volume: Registering is only required for high volume DNS use.
  • Accuracy and Relevance: Evaluate the accuracy of alternative reputation providers.
  • Contact Validity Support: If registration fails, contact Validity support.

What email marketers say
9Marketer opinions

Validity's deprecation of free Sender Score DNS lookups necessitates either registering accessing IPs, exploring commercial alternatives, or implementing local DNS solutions. Domain reputation gains importance, and contacting Validity support might be beneficial if registration is problematic. Setting up a local or redundant DNS server in a DMZ, registering those IPs, and leveraging tools like Talos Intelligence's IP & Domain Reputation Center are also potential solutions.

Key opinions

  • Registration Required: Validity requires registration for high-volume users to access Sender Score data.
  • Local DNS: Setting up a local DNS server is a viable solution.
  • Domain Reputation: Domain reputation is becoming more important than IP reputation.
  • Commercial Alternatives: Consider commercial IP reputation services.
  • Redundant DNS: Implementing redundant DNS servers within a DMZ can resolve issues with public resolvers.

Key considerations

  • Volume: Registration is primarily for high-volume users.
  • Complexity: Setting up local or redundant DNS requires technical expertise.
  • Cost: Commercial services involve financial investment.
  • Validity Support: Contacting Validity support for assistance is recommended if registration is an issue.
  • DMZ Setup: Ensure proper DMZ configuration for security.
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailGeek forum explains that you need to register your accessing IPs for full access.

June 2022 - EmailGeek forum
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks shares they setup redundant DNS servers within the DMZ for queries, resolving issues with public resolvers like 1.1.1.1, Google, and OpenDNS not returning real results.

February 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks clarifies that Validity requires registration for public access to their zones for high volume query users and provides a link for registration.

November 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailGeek forum explains that a redundant DNS can be setup inside the DMZ so that only the hosts can query them, if you are low volume.

January 2025 - EmailGeek forum
Marketer view

Email marketer from StackExchange suggests looking into commercial IP reputation services if free options no longer meet your needs after Validity's changes.

May 2021 - StackExchange
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks explains they set up a local DNS, registered the IPs to fix their Sender Score lookups.

April 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit suggests setting up a local DNS server to manage DNS queries and potentially bypass restrictions imposed by public resolvers when accessing Sender Score data.

October 2021 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailGeek forum suggests that domain reputation is increasingly important and to contact Validity support if you can not register.

July 2021 - EmailGeek forum
Marketer view

Email marketer from Talos Intelligence suggest that their IP & Domain Reputation Center can be used to check senders IPs.

July 2024 - Talos Intelligence

What the experts say
4Expert opinions

Validity has deprecated their Sender Score DNS lookups. Contacting Validity support might allow continued access. Domain reputation is increasingly important. Alternatives to Sender Score include blocklists and commercial reputation services, but their accuracy needs evaluation. Monitoring sender reputation and score remains essential.

Key opinions

  • Sender Score Deprecated: Validity has effectively deprecated free Sender Score DNS lookups.
  • Contact Validity: Contacting Validity support may enable continued access.
  • Domain Reputation Importance: Domain reputation is increasingly significant.
  • Sender Reputation monitoring: Monitoring sender reputation and score is very important.
  • Sender Score Alternatives: Alternatives to Sender Score exist (e.g., blocklists, commercial services).

Key considerations

  • Accuracy of Alternatives: Evaluate the accuracy and relevance of alternative services.
  • Relevance to Needs: Assess whether alternatives meet specific needs.
Expert view

Expert from Spamresource.com explains that many alternatives exist to Sender Score, including blocklists and commercial reputation services, and suggests evaluating their accuracy and relevance for specific needs.

February 2023 - Spamresource.com
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks confirms that Validity has effectively deprecated their sender score DNS lookups.

May 2022 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks suggests contacting Tom Bartel from Validity for continued access and mentions the shift towards domain reputation.

September 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Wordtothewise.com explains that its very important to monitor your sender reputation and sender score.

December 2021 - Wordtothewise.com

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

Validity recommends registering accessing IPs for continued access to Sender Score data. Spamhaus's Data Query Service (DQS) is presented as an alternative with its own registration requirements for high-volume use. DigitalOcean details deploying an Unbound DNS server to manage DNS queries locally. Proofpoint's ET Intelligence service offers a way to check sender IPs.

Key findings

  • Validity Registration: Register accessing IPs with Validity for continued Sender Score access.
  • Spamhaus DQS: Spamhaus DQS is an alternative for IP and domain reputation.
  • Unbound DNS Server: Deploying an Unbound DNS server allows local management and caching of DNS records.
  • Proofpoint ET Intelligence: Proofpoint ET Intelligence allows checking of sender IPs.

Key considerations

  • Registration Requirements: Spamhaus DQS requires registration for high-volume access.
  • Technical Expertise: Deploying an Unbound DNS server requires technical skills.
  • Cost of Proofpoint: Using Proofpoint ET Intelligence likely involves a cost.
Technical article

Documentation from DigitalOcean.com explains how to deploy an Unbound DNS server on a virtual private server to locally resolve hostnames and cache DNS records, useful for managing DNS queries.

September 2023 - DigitalOcean.com
Technical article

Documentation from Spamhaus explains that their Data Query Service (DQS) provides IP and domain reputation data, offering an alternative to Validity's Sender Score. It needs proper registration for higher volume access.

November 2022 - Spamhaus.org
Technical article

Documentation from Validity.com explains that users experiencing issues with Sender Score DNS lookups should register their accessing IPs for continued access to Validity's reputation data through DNS.

September 2021 - Validity.com
Technical article

Documentation from Proofpoint.com explains that Proofpoint ET Intelligence reputation service can be used to check senders IPs.

December 2023 - Proofpoint.com