So I am finally moving my Mailserver Infrastructure to a fresh Subnet I actually got from Hetzner last week, and on the very first Day my IP is already listed on the Spamhaus SBL. Can you believe this? I have not even sent a single legitimate Email yet, actually the Reputation was already destroyed before I could configure the first MX Record. I checked the SBL Lookup and it says "bulletproof hosting history" which makes absolutely no Sense to me because I am just a small Hosting Reseller, or? Now I am sitting here with my fresh /24 that I actually paid good Money for and I cannot use it for anything Email-related. Has anyone here actually gone through the Delisting Process with Spamhaus? I heard it can take Weeks and they want to see all kinds of Documentation about your Business and your intended Usecase. The previous Owner must have really done some terrible Things with these Addresses. I am thinking about just cutting my Losses and getting another Subnet from a different Provider, actually that might be faster than fighting with the Reputation. What would you actually do in my Situation?
My IP got blacklisted by Spamhaus on day one
The SBL delisting process requires documented proof of ownership transfer and a clear acceptable use policy. You should request the IP allocation history from Hetzner first; they are obligated under GDPR to provide processing records if any personal data is involved in the previous registration. I would not abandon the subnet without attempting delisting, as the next allocation may carry identical risks.
Ah yes the classic "clean slate" that isn't (clean) (or a slate) (more like a slate someone already wrote all over with "bulletproof hosting" in permanent marker) (which is probably not even permanent but try telling Spamhaus that) (they're very committed to their archival instincts) I once knew someone who tried to delist a /24 and the process took (if I recall correctly) approximately one geological age (slight exaggeration) (but only slight) the real trick is that you need to prove you're not the previous owner (which seems obvious) (but obviousness is not really their department) (their department is thoroughness) (and also forms) have you considered just (and I say this with love) becoming nocturnal and abandoning email altogether