How to Use PSBL

PSBL (Passive Spam BlockList) helps protect your mail server by identifying known spam sources. Here's how to integrate and use our service effectively.

Purpose

PSBL focuses on listing the most severe spam offenders. We recommend using it for outright blocking rather than incorporating it into a scoring system. Unlike scoring-based filters that evaluate spam probability, PSBL provides definitive blocking decisions for confirmed spam sources, saving your server resources while maximizing protection.

DNS Zone Configuration

Query the PSBL blacklist through our DNS zone: psbl.sorbl.com

Configure your email server or filtering system to query this DNS zone during the email filtering process. Below are examples for common MTAs:

Postfix (main.cf):

reject_rbl_client psbl.sorbl.com

Manual DNS Query:

nslookup 8.8.8.8.psbl.sorbl.com
dig 8.8.8.8.psbl.sorbl.com

Query Formats

To check if an IP address is listed, perform a DNS lookup for:

[reversed-ip-address].psbl.sorbl.com

Example: For IP 192.0.2.10, reverse the octets to 10.2.0.192 and query:

10.2.0.192.psbl.sorbl.com

A successful lookup (returns an A record) means the IP is listed. A timeout or NXDOMAIN means the IP is clean.

Disclaimer

While we strive to maintain accuracy and minimize false positives, no blacklist is perfect. PSBL is provided as a free service without warranty. By using this service, you assume all associated risks. If you do not agree with these terms, please do not use PSBL.

Need Help?

Have questions or need assistance with integration?

Contact Us

PSBL Statistics

📋 Total Unique IP Addresses Blocked: 21,170

📊 Total Spam Attempts Processed: 36,922