Is your IP address blacklisted? Are you unable to access individual networks and websites? Are you confused and want to know what you can do about it? Firstly, let us know about the IP address blacklisting?

What is IP Address Blacklisting?

The process of blocking malicious and suspicious IP addresses from accessing your networks is called IP address blacklisting. And the list of wrong IP addresses that are blocked is called a blacklist. There are several blacklists on the internet. Each blacklist is maintained and carried with its own set of rules. 

Reasons for IP Address Blacklisting

There are several reasons for an IP address to be blacklisted. They are 

• Spamming
• Hacking
• Virus
• Malware
• Botnets
• Illegal activities
• High volume mails
• Violating security terms
• Using harmful applications
• Accessing inappropriate websites
• Too many failed web login attempts
• Buying email lists
• User reports etc. 

 However, the most common reason for an IP address to get blacklisted is spamming. 

Due to spam mails increasing day-by-day, a software mechanism was created to filter unsolicited messages. It is called DNSBL (Domain Name System Blacklist). If any domain seems suspicious, the user of DNSBL will add the IP address to their list. There are many DNSBLs on the internet for listing and delisting the IP addresses.

However, your IP address will be at stake even if you didn’t do anything wrong. Perhaps someone may be using your IP address and doing dreadful things. Constant blacklisting of your IP address will affect your IP reputation, and your IP will be marked as a source of spam. 

And all messages sent from your IP would be flagged from all sites. IP addresses will get an IP reputation based on past events. You can find more details about 192.168.1.18 IP Admin Login, Username & Password here.

How To Find Out Whether Your IP Address Is Blacklisted Or Not

• When you open any website, it shows errors like HTTP error 401, Unauthorized or HTTP error 401, Forbidden or HTTP error 451, Unavailable due to legal reasons based on why you were blacklisted.
• Connect to a different wifi network and try accessing the website: another system, different IP address.
• Change the VPN and try to open the website. 
• Use domain blacklist checkers like Ultra Tools, MX Toolbox, my IP Address blacklist check, etc.
• Ping a server from your device.

Steps to be followed when your IP address is blacklisted

If your IP address is blacklisted, don’t get tensed. There are steps to be followed to remove your IP address from the blacklist.

• Ensure whether your network and mail server are configuring correctly.
• Scan all devices on your network and make sure that all devices are clean and uninfected.
• Check whether your mail server is appropriately configuring or not.
• Configure routers more securely.
• Enforce safe and strong passwords.
• Contact the owner of the website and tell me what happened. It could be something which they can solve, or an external service could deal with it.
• The blacklist databases will have your IP blacklist report. Contact each of the databases and request for your blacklist removal. As earlier said, each database will have a different set of rules and regulations for removal.
• Spamhaus, Spamcop, Microsoft, PSBL, Cashback, Barracuda, Invaluement, SURBL, MIPSPACE, OSPAM, Suomispam, INPS_DE, Spamrats, DroneBL, WPBL, Trend Micro, UCEPROTECT and SORBS are some of the top blacklist websites which will help you to delist your IP address from the blacklist. 

 There are two types of blacklist removals.

• Self-Removal
• Time-Based Removal

Self-Removal method – It is a little intermediate method. Make sure that you have fixed all the issues before doing this. If your IP address is blacklisted again after the removal, it would be complicated to delist it.

Time-Based Removal – It is an easy method to delist your IP address. It is an automatic process that removes low-level listings from the blacklist within one or two weeks. But, if the spam mails and high volume emails are sent more than once, it may take a little longer.

However, some websites may have a self-removal method, and some may have a time-based removal method. Many blacklist websites do not offer these both as well. While you are trying to delist your IP address, be kind and polite. 

Follow the rules set by the website operator and keep it professional. Most important, be honest and don’t lie. The more you cooperate with them, the simpler it gets to remove your IP address from the blacklist. You can solve this issue mostly through chat or else call the maintainer.

What Are Some Ways To Prevent Your IP Address From Being Blacklisted?

• Never buy or rent email lists. It will defame your IP reputation.
• Keep stronger passwords.
• Make sure that all your hosts are secure.
• Don’t keep your proxy server open.
• Don’t have spambots.
• Don’t open spam services like spam email ads, junk mail tools, etc.
• Don’t send spam messages from your mail server.
• Enable SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security).
• Configure your firewall.
• Configure IP shield.

What To Do If You Can’t Be Able To Remove Your IP Address From The Blacklist?

If you can’t remove your IP address from the blacklist in case, then get a new IP address. This depends on what type of user you are and what kind of IP address you need. If you are an average internet user, then having your IP address on the blacklist doesn’t differ. If you are a heavy user, run businesses and mail servers, then it may become difficult. Depending on what kind of internet user you are, you can obtain a new IP address.

Conclusion

And finally, beware as the internet is full of strangers and is not entirely safe. For every lock, there is someone out there trying to pick it or break-in. We have discussed all possibilities of IP blacklisting, how to prevent yourself from getting blacklisted, and what to do if you are blacklisted. Use the internet safely and for the right reasons.