A blacklist check (also known as a DNSBL lookup) is a procedure that matches a specific IP address with a database of IP check blacklists. It’s a common way for cybersecurity tools to assess an IP address’s reputation, as well as identify any possible security risks that may exist.

An IP can be placed on a blacklist when it appears to belong to a malicious server or if it’s connected to an abusive activity like cyberbullying, file sharing without copyright, or virtual private network abuse. These activities can be detected by cybersecurity software algorithms or IT security teams, who then decide to reject an entire Internet connection with that specific IP address.

There are several signs that a website or an individual’s IP has been blacklisted, including blocked access to websites or email. Some of these signs are more obvious than others, however, it’s important to be able to recognize them so that you can take the right steps to rectify the issue as soon as possible.

Why Is It Vital to Run an IP Check Blacklist?

Having your IP address blacklisted could significantly impact email deliverability and negatively affect the reputation of your website. The good news is that there are ways to get your IP removed from these lists, although it’s not a simple process.

To do this, you’ll need to determine the cause of your blacklisting, which may require reviewing things like your website’s security or email practices and updating them accordingly. Once you’ve addressed the issue, you can then request to be delisted from each of the blacklists that have your IP address listed on them. This process can take a while and some blacklists may refuse to remove your IP address unless there is no further suspicious activity occurring from it.