What Is SpamCop?

Other SpamCop Features

Aside from reporting spam, SpamCop also offers other services such as email filtering and blocking, as well as a blacklist service for ISPs to check if an IP address or domain has been reported for spamming. This helps prevent future spam emails from reaching users’ inboxes.

SpamCop provides statistics and data on the amount of spam being reported and blocked, giving insight into the current state of online spam. They also actively work with law enforcement agencies to track down spammers and take legal action against them.

Why Am I Listed on SpamCop?

To appear on SpamCop, your SMTP server must be flagged as a spam source. A human reviewer provides the initial identification by analyzing emails as potential spam. Subscribers to SpamCop, even those not included in the DNSBL, evaluate these emails. Reviewers then forward email deemed suspicious to a specified address.

SpamCop systems then cross-reference the forwarded email to validate the report. To prevent misuse, a single report is insufficient for listing.

The initial reporter might be mistaken. So, before a listing occurs, there’s an acknowledgment of that. Reported email gets checked for history of complaints, detection in spam traps, poor reputation, or functioning as an open relay or proxy.

If the email is still classified as spam, the SMTP server’s IP address will be added to the SpamCop DNSBL zone. This triggers notification emails to the domain owner’s postmaster@ and abuse@ addresses, and provides delisting instructions. If no action is taken, the IP address will remain listed for 12 hours before expiring. However, ongoing reports against the same SMTP server can extend this.

While most SpamCop reports originate from end users, some SMTP server administrators also report spam, thereby increasing its effectiveness.

How To Be Removed From SpamCop

Removing an IP address from SpamCop is relatively straightforward when compared to other DNSBLs. Upon receiving the notification email about a listing, you have the chance to quickly investigate and resolve the issue. Once you’ve tackled the root cause of future spam incidents on your server, an administrator can easily look up the IP address and kick off the delisting process in SpamCop.

However, some scenarios can complicate removal. A standard listing—often due to a misconfigured SMTP server or a compromised user account—can be addressed swiftly. Conversely, if your SMTP server has been flagged for sending spam to a SpamCop spamtrap or honeypot, the removal process may extend. Spamtraps are designed to minimize accidental email delivery, which means your SMTP server’s IP address will accumulate significantly higher scoring. Staying proactive and well-informed about these processes is crucial for maintaining your server’s reputation in the fast-paced tech landscape.