The Abusive Hosts Blocking List
Encyclopedia
The Abusive Hosts Blocking List is an internet abuse
tracking and filtering
system developed by The Summit Open Source Development Group
, and based on the original Summit Blocking List (2000–2002).
lists and one RHSbl list for use in various types of services. While most of the data are automatically added and removed, the AHBL prefers to manage certain categories by hand for accuracy.
The DNSbl list was developed for use in SMTP
services and is "a real-time blocking system. This means that data are collected from various sources 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in real time, and merged into our database." The data include spam sources, open proxies, open relays, DDoS drones, Usenet spam sources, and the controversial Shoot On Sight listing policy.
The IRCbl list is a reduced version of the DNSbl that does not include spam sources or other data unnecessary for use in IRC
networks and other chat
systems.
The RHSbl list is domain-based rather than ip4r. It includes domains owned and/or operated by spammers, known abusive domains, and domains that are not used to send e-mail (on request of the domain owner). It is commonly used to block domains in the From: address of e-mail, as well as SURBL
type systems that scan the links in e-mail.
The TORbl list is an ip4r based list of Tor
nodes. It includes all Tor nodes, including entrance, transit, and exit nodes on the Tor network. As the list contains entrance and transit nodes, not just exit nodes, AHBL recommends against using the TORbl for e-mail blocking purposes.
, Telefonica.es, for more than 6 months "because of the ever increasing amount of spam and illegal 419 coming from rima-tde.net IP space." The AHBL has also publicly spoken out against the Spamhaus .mail ICANN
proposal, which was later rejected by ICANN
.
The AHBL has also listed GoDaddy's hosting services due to continued hosting of The Free Speech Store (Richard Scoville, who attempted to sue the AHBL in the past). This listing was escilated after repeated attempts to resolve the issue with GoDaddy's Abuse Department, and being told that "that they will not enforce their TOS or AUP unless forced to by law enforcement."
The second major source of controversy comes from the AHBL's Shoot On Sight listing policy, which is commonly used by its administrators to force ISPs to take action against entities that the AHBL considers to be abusers, and against entities that make legal or "Cart00ney" threats against the AHBL or similar organizations.
for $3.525 million US, claiming various damages, to himself, and his business. The suit was dismissed with prejudice January 6, 2006 for lack of jurisdiction.
Internet abuse
Internet abuse and cybercrime have historically risen since the inception of the Internet.-Spam:Despite some claims that abuse such as spam is flattening, costs are still estimated by some sources to be significant. Specifically, the 2009 cost of spam is estimated around $130 billion worldwide and...
tracking and filtering
Filter (software)
A filter is a computer program to process a data stream. Some operating systems such as Unix are rich with filter programs. Even Windows has some simple filters built into its command shell, most of which have significant enhancements relative to the similar filter commands that were available in...
system developed by The Summit Open Source Development Group
The Summit Open Source Development Group
The Summit Open Source Development Group is a non-profit organization formed in 2000.The group encourages the development of open-source software, anti-abuse/spam fighting spam methods, and is run by a small volunteer team of senior staff members with multiple standard staff members maintaining the...
, and based on the original Summit Blocking List (2000–2002).
DNSbl and RHSbl lists
The AHBL operates several DNSblDNSBL
A DNSBL is a list of IP addresses published through the Internet Domain Name Service either as a zone file that can be used by DNS server software, or as a live DNS zone that can be queried in real-time...
lists and one RHSbl list for use in various types of services. While most of the data are automatically added and removed, the AHBL prefers to manage certain categories by hand for accuracy.
The DNSbl list was developed for use in SMTP
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol is an Internet standard for electronic mail transmission across Internet Protocol networks. SMTP was first defined by RFC 821 , and last updated by RFC 5321 which includes the extended SMTP additions, and is the protocol in widespread use today...
services and is "a real-time blocking system. This means that data are collected from various sources 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in real time, and merged into our database." The data include spam sources, open proxies, open relays, DDoS drones, Usenet spam sources, and the controversial Shoot On Sight listing policy.
The IRCbl list is a reduced version of the DNSbl that does not include spam sources or other data unnecessary for use in IRC
Internet Relay Chat
Internet Relay Chat is a protocol for real-time Internet text messaging or synchronous conferencing. It is mainly designed for group communication in discussion forums, called channels, but also allows one-to-one communication via private message as well as chat and data transfer, including file...
networks and other chat
Online chat
Online chat may refer to any kind of communication over the Internet, that offers an instantaneous transmission of text-based messages from sender to receiver, hence the delay for visual access to the sent message shall not hamper the flow of communications in any of the directions...
systems.
The RHSbl list is domain-based rather than ip4r. It includes domains owned and/or operated by spammers, known abusive domains, and domains that are not used to send e-mail (on request of the domain owner). It is commonly used to block domains in the From: address of e-mail, as well as SURBL
SURBL
SURBLs are lists of Uniform Resource Identifier hosts, typically web site domains, that appear in unsolicited messages. SURBLs can be used to search incoming e-mail message bodies for similar sites to help evaluate whether the messages are unsolicited...
type systems that scan the links in e-mail.
The TORbl list is an ip4r based list of Tor
Tor (anonymity network)
Tor is a system intended to enable online anonymity. Tor client software routes Internet traffic through a worldwide volunteer network of servers in order to conceal a user's location or usage from someone conducting network surveillance or traffic analysis...
nodes. It includes all Tor nodes, including entrance, transit, and exit nodes on the Tor network. As the list contains entrance and transit nodes, not just exit nodes, AHBL recommends against using the TORbl for e-mail blocking purposes.
Controversy
Several of the AHBL's actions since its creation have led to harsh criticism from other members of the spam fighting community for being overly aggressive and unreasonable. One such example is the complete blocking of Spain's largest Internet service providerInternet service provider
An Internet service provider is a company that provides access to the Internet. Access ISPs directly connect customers to the Internet using copper wires, wireless or fiber-optic connections. Hosting ISPs lease server space for smaller businesses and host other people servers...
, Telefonica.es, for more than 6 months "because of the ever increasing amount of spam and illegal 419 coming from rima-tde.net IP space." The AHBL has also publicly spoken out against the Spamhaus .mail ICANN
.mail
.mail is a generic top-level domain proposed by The Spamhaus Project in 2004, but unapproved by ICANN. Its purpose is to enable responsible message recipients to reliably and efficiently identify and accept spam-free mailstreams.-Core Functionality:...
proposal, which was later rejected by ICANN
ICANN
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers is a non-profit corporation headquartered in Marina del Rey, California, United States, that was created on September 18, 1998, and incorporated on September 30, 1998 to oversee a number of Internet-related tasks previously performed directly...
.
The AHBL has also listed GoDaddy's hosting services due to continued hosting of The Free Speech Store (Richard Scoville, who attempted to sue the AHBL in the past). This listing was escilated after repeated attempts to resolve the issue with GoDaddy's Abuse Department, and being told that "that they will not enforce their TOS or AUP unless forced to by law enforcement."
The second major source of controversy comes from the AHBL's Shoot On Sight listing policy, which is commonly used by its administrators to force ISPs to take action against entities that the AHBL considers to be abusers, and against entities that make legal or "Cart00ney" threats against the AHBL or similar organizations.
Scoville Et Al., vs. Bruns Et Al.
After threatening the AHBL with a lawsuit for years, on December 17, 2005 Richard Scoville, operator of Free Speech Store and a spammer; sued the AHBL, SOSDG, and associated individuals in Bexar County, TexasBexar County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,392,931 people, 488,942 households, and 345,681 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,117 people per square mile . There were 521,359 housing units at an average density of 418 per square mile...
for $3.525 million US, claiming various damages, to himself, and his business. The suit was dismissed with prejudice January 6, 2006 for lack of jurisdiction.