IP Abuse Explained
Your IP address has a credit score. If it drops too low, your emails bounce and users get blocked. Here's how it works.
IP Reputation is a measure of how trustworthy an IP address is. It is calculated by various security organizations and service providers based on the behavior associated with that IP. Just like a credit score, a bad reputation can have serious consequences.
Why Do IPs Get Blacklisted?
Spam Activity
Sending high volumes of unsolicited email is the #1 reason. This can happen intentionally or if a server is compromised by malware (botnet).
Spam Traps
Security vendors maintain secret email addresses that never sign up for anything. If you send email to one, it proves your list was scraped or purchased, resulting in an instant block.
How to Clean Your Reputation
Stop the Bleeding
Identify the compromised device or source of spam and shut it down immediately. Check outgoing mail logs.
Request Delisting
Contact the blacklist operator (e.g., Spamhaus, Barracuda). Prove you fixed the issue and ask for removal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a blacklist last?
Some are temporary (24-48 hours) and expire automatically if the abuse stops. Others are permanent until you manually request delisting.
Does using a VPN hide my reputation?
VPN IPs often have bad reputations because they are shared by thousands of users, some of whom may be abusive.