How do I use the SBL?
How do I use the SBL?
The Spamhaus Block List (SBL) is in a format intended to be used by corporate or ISP mail servers.
The SBL can be used by almost all modern mail servers, by setting the mail server’s anti-spam DNSBL feature (sometimes called “Blacklist DNS Servers” or “RBL servers”) to query sbl.spamhaus.org.
- Use of the SBL in query mode is free of charge for users with normal mail server traffic.
- ISPs and corporate networks with heavy email traffic will need to use our Data Feed service.
- End users who want SBL protection can ask their email provider if they use the SBL, and if not, ask them to implement it.
- If this is not possible, end users can look for spam filtering software that is able to use “DNSBL” systems (sometimes called “Blacklist DNS Servers” or “RBL servers”). Most will have the SBL, ZEN, or the older SBL-XBL as a default or available as an option.
For greater spam filtering effectiveness, we recommend using ZEN, which is a combined zone that contains the complete SBL, XBL and PBL data. Your server can safely reject SMTP connections from any IP listed in ZEN by setting its DNSBL check to query only zen.spamhaus.org.
- NOTE:If your application uses second-stage filtering such as URI checks or full header traversal, please check the following FAQs for further information and cautions.
We ask that all ISPs using our DNSBL zones inform their customers of the fact. Use of known-to-be-effective spam blocklists is normally seen as a service advantage and strong sales point.
- All SBL, XBL and PBL users are welcome to use the “email protected by” SBL, XBL and PBL web badges on sites.
For information on how to configure a mail server to use sbl.spamhaus.org please refer to the mail server documentation/manuals, call the software or MTA vendor, or ask a relevant IT department for help. Due to the vast diversity of mail servers in use, we can not offer technical help with the use of the SBL.
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