Blocked Email and Blackhole List FAQs

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DSBL.SORBS.NET

Below is a email which was sent concerning one of our customer's who was not getting an email from a friend whose ISP's mail server was in the SORBS list. (Actual names have been removed for privacy purposes.)

-- Response to original message and message from ISP xxxxxxx --

We have put them on an internal white-list until this issue is resolved. The excuse, which they use below, is a very common excuse that most ISPs on the SORBS.net blacklist tell their customers. The only reason why SORBS would put them on the list, without auto-removal capability, is if they continue to not be able to control their own users and stop them from sending spam out of their network. The remark about no longer being able to be removed after multiple infractions without donating to a charity is true. It is a form of penalty to discourage their abuse. However, SORBS not telling the ISP where the donation can or will be sent is NOT true nor is it a "large sum" relative to an ISP. The SORBS website has that information clearly outlined. But, that does not suit their explanation since if they did pay, they would be put right back on the list because they have not stopped "repeat" spammers on their network. So, for them, it is a no win scenario. It is easier that they attempt to disparage the SORBS list and tell their customers that if there is a problem, "the list is unreliable and incredulous and ISPs really should not use it". I have seen several mediocre and technically irresponsible ISPs (large and small) say this.

They should be forced to pay penalties for repeat abuse, and they should be punished by blocking mail from their networks due to their irresponsibility until they fix their problem permanently. There is no valid excuse they can ever make for allowing a spammer to repeatedly use their network. There are automated filters which can stop such activities.

Needless to say, hypercon.net has not been singled out by a spammer on their network, and I will leave them in the temporary white-list until such an occurrence. Therefore, you should not see the problem unless you send mail through that asp.att.... server which I could not reliably isolate. The server you sent through today works fine.

You will encounter this problem again when sending mail to people who use "spam conscious" ISPs. Many ISPs choose not to be "spam conscious" because it is too much hassle for them, and they hope that more ISPs will do the same so that they can glide through life with less headaches. That will never happen here. Hyperconnections will never condone receiving emails from networks who are irresponsible with their client's email patterns. The sad part is the ones punished are the end users.

However, ISPs on the SORBS list will be put on our internal white-list if a user of ours requests it. They will stay on that white-list until we receive spam complaints due to a user in that network which will cause us to remove them from the white-list.

You will notice Roadrunner, SBC, and other large ISPs are not on the SORBS list (YEA!), but unfortunately, they do not provide spam free email services to their clients (BOO!); therefore, they do not use lists like the SORBS list to block incoming spam because they would get too many customers calling support and asking why the mail from their friend at xyz.com ISP got blocked. They just do not want to deal with it. At least, they don't let the same spammers repeatedly send mail out email through them. They are very strict about cutting off spammers permanently. That keeps them off of the SORBS list.

More ISPs will eventually comply with and also begin to use the SORBS list, they just have to be forced into it over time. It is like making energy companies adhere to the clean air act. Unfortunately, there are no laws concerning this issue yet.

For now, I believe your problem is resolved.

Please let us know if there is anything else we can do for you.

Sincerely,

xxx xxxxxxx
President
Hyperconnections, Inc.

----------------------- Original Message ------------------------

From: Mary
To: Bill & Mary ; hypercon.net
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2004 6:45 PM
Subject: Spam Issue

Hi Hypercon Person and Mary,

This is the followup note I received from my ISP, xxxxxxx, when I sent your ISP's, hypercon, request. I hope you get this, but if you don't receive it via email, I'll read it to you over the phone. Don't know where we go from here unless you can talk to folks in your area about ISP's they're using that they're happy with.

Love,
Mary

------------------- Message from ISP xxxxxxx -------------------

"Mary,
We are no longer attempting to be removed from the SORBS blacklist, they have repeatedly put us on this list without and basis or proof. When we seek to be removed the require that we pay a large sum of money to their account to be distributed to "charities", which they will not name. We do not find this service to not have any credibility and encourage anyone using this service to find someone with more credibility. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and will encourage you to forward this to the hypercon.net technician that you have spoken with. If you have any further questions please give us a call.

Jason xxxxxxxx
xxxxxxx Broadband Helpdesk
http://help.xxxxxxxxx.com/
xxxx xxxxxxxxxxxx xxx
xxxxxxxxxxxx, xx xxxxx
xxx-xxx-xxxx
xxx-xxx-xxxx"