PIC MailBlock : Policy
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Definition of mb.preciseic.net

mb.preciseic.net is not a public block list, it is a privately maintained and used DNSbl (Domain Name System based block list) intended only for clients of Precise Internet Consulting (PIC) who specifically subscribe to this service. All nominations are made by fully paid-up subscribers by means of submission of full headers and body of spam in a password protected web form.

Lists maintained

This DNSbl service maintains a number of lists:
  1. A relay/proxy/spammer IP address list (the traditional form of DNSbl)
  2. A virus sources IP address list
  3. A list of spammer domains (some domains may also be temporarily added to the list if a large number of virus infected messages are detected from that domain)

Discretion

All listings are purely at the discretion of PIC and it's fully paid-up subscribers. Every listing receives a considerable amount of thought by a list administrator, as well as investigation, before it is added. PIC do not perform open relay or open proxy tests, all decisions are based on already published information from other sources like other DNSbl lists and newsgroup postings.

Removal

The mb.preciseic.net system has the ability to expire entries in the block list after a specified number of days (the listing lifetime), this period being counted from the date of last update on a record. Expiry runs are performed at 06:00 and 18:00 GMT every day. When an entry expires it is removed from the DNSbl but not from the database, if a nomination is received for an expired entry the listing lifetime is usually doubled and the entry is added to the DNSbl again.

It is usual for entries to get an initial listing lifetime of 7 (seven) days, but special cases such as domains or IP blocks owned by known spammers may get longer listing lifetimes or may even be marked permanent (never expire).

The projected expiry date for an entry is not shown in any publicly accessible location. Should the owner of a listed IP or domain wish to have their listing reviewed there is a form available here were details of action taken to eliminate the source of spam can be submitted to us (please note that going to the form from the check page would be preferred). If it is found that the entry is set to expire within 1 day the entry will usually be allowed to expire normally. If the expiry date is further in the future (or set to never) the entry may be manually disabled. Note that submission of the removal form under false pretenses may result in a listing lifetime being extended.

PIC reserve the right to place any and all information submitted under false pretenses in the publicly visible record of the entry at issue.
PIC also reserve the right to reflect or place pointers to any and all publicly available information found during investigation of a potential addition to the DNSbl, including WHOIS records.

Virus sources list

The virus sources IP address list consists of IP addresses that have sent virus infected email messages to our servers or our clients' servers. The procedures we use for this list are a little different.
  • Actual mail servers are very seldom added to this list, the vast majority of IP addresses listed are infected user PCs
  • The first time a virus infected message is seen from a specific IP address that address is listed for 1 day. Each time a virus infected message is seen from a previously listed IP address the listing period is doubled.
  • Manual delisting of addresses is done on a no-questions-asked basis, but relisting in the event of more virus infected email from the same IP address is handled as if the entry had expired normally.
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