IP Blacklisted by Microsoft

[seqiro]

Hello,

So I'm new around here. I just switched from a VPS at SurpassHosting where I was having all kind of problems with downtime, connectivity, terrible slowness etc. so I'm glad to be with a host that where my sites fly.

However, after moving my account here I can no longer send mail to Microsoft servers (@hotmail.com, @live.com, etc.) All of the messages bounce back with the following error:

host mx2.hotmail.com [yy.yy.yyy.yy]: 550 SC-001 Unfortunately, messages from xxx.xxx.xx.xxx weren't sent. Please contact your Internet service provider since part of their network is on our block list. You can also refer your provider to http://mail.live.com/mail/troubleshooting.aspx#errors.

No one on my server does any bulk mailing and we aren't breaking any Microsoft rules. I never had a problem from my old IP address and I'd only had this one for a day when the problem started happening.

Here's my big problem: I submitted a ticket, got a form letter response that linked to an outdated Microsoft page and asked if I had SPF records, and that was it. I had to look up what SPF records even were as I never had them before. I went through the process, learned how to create them, put one on each of my domains and... nothing. So I responded back in the ticket with this information.

It has now been 3 days since I've heard from HostGator support. No updates, no responses, nothing.

Is that the norm around here? Because if so, I didn't look hard enough for a new host.

I left my previous host in part because when I said I had a problem, they told me I didn't. Clearly I did because my sites fly here without a hitch. But not being able to reach anyone on a Microsoft server is a big problem and I need someone to address this.

On the plus side, now I know what an SPF record is and how to create one and add it to my DNS zones and zone templates.

[SonicFog]

Obfuscating critical information to assess the problem doesn't help. The one question I have is whether the IP number you obfuscated was that of your ISP connection or was it the server IP.

WendyH

[seqiro]

It's the server IP, not my ISP.

[SonicFog]

Then I suggest that you contact abuse [AT] hostgator [DOT] com and let them know that your IP is on a block list. The will help you get it delisted.

WendyH

[seqiro]

I was already working with abuse. They are the ones who sent me the form letter and didn't respond for over 3 days even when I asked for updates.

[GatorChrisD]

What is the ticket number related to this?

[seqiro]

CKK-14675660

I did get a response earlier today, but it's basically telling me to answer the questions that Microsoft asks which I can't really do. They all apply to bulk mailers/businesses/ISPs. I don't collect personal data, nor do any of my clients; all of the sites I host are personal blogs.

[seqiro]

This has been an unbelievably frustrating experience for me. 4 days go by with no update on the ticket whatsoever, and then I am asked for information that I've already given.

I'm starting to think that despite the huge speed boost and reliability, I made a mistake coming to HostGator.

[aeons]

I have this problem EVERY time I move to a new server, irregardless who the host is.

Try this:
http://mail.live.com/mail/services.aspx

Do EVERYTHING they offer/request on that page.

You will likely find a similar situation with Yahoo, if you haven't already, so in advance; here you go:
http://feedbackloop.yahoo.net

[GatorDavid]

Originally Posted by aeons

I have this problem EVERY time I move to a new server, irregardless who the host is.

Try this:
http://mail.live.com/mail/services.aspx

Do EVERYTHING they offer/request on that page.

You will likely find a similar situation with Yahoo, if you haven't already, so in advance; here you go:
http://feedbackloop.yahoo.net

Yeah, we see this alot with brand new IP allocations also. Microsoft and Yahoo are distrustful of new IP allocations since they have no sender reputation, so they block by default usually.

The information provided by aeons is solid, though you might need to submit some of it to us so we can forward it to the datacenter, as sometimes they're picky about the IP address owner sending in the information.

[justMe]

Not wanting to go through delisting a new ip from various blacklists is why I've been dragging my feet upgrading to a new dedi for over a year. It's unfortunate that HG doesn't take a more proactive attitude with this rather than reactive.

[aeons]

I got a dedicated server with Hostgator in December, I completely forgot to file updated info with hotmail & yahoo regarding the IP update.. earlier this month I started noticing a large portion of my server's mail hitting hotmail's junk bin.

Initially paranoia set in & I thought Hostgator gave me a dud for an IP - but after filing the info with Hotmail, my mail delivery went back to normal & as far as I can tell, all of my customers are getting my mail again. Must have taken a while for Hotmail to start blacklisting my mail for not updating the records.

To be fair, it isn't Hostgator's fault, although they are an easy target.

I assume all of the IPs we are given were used by someone else at some point, so some of them may be legitimately on blacklists due to other people's misuse... personally, I believe the onus is upon us as server owners to make sure our mail gets delivered. I don't expect Hostgator to do this. And why should they? They don't double-check our sites to ensure we're writing good & secure php code, so why should they vouch for our non-spamming techniques, which is really what these programs are all about?

However, regarding Hotmail's junk mail reporting program; Softlayer are fairly ignorant about this. When I had a box directly with them as The Planet, they wouldn't message Microsoft to confirm I'm the sole sender on that IP. I was not able to join the Junk-mail reporting program.

And regarding my new server with HG; I made the request for Hostgator to ask them to do this for my new IP and they so far, have not done it (Softlayer)!

[wesslayneb]

I have never had this issue before but have had friends who have had this same issue. (From what I have heard) MSN Hotmail is very "touchy" and is known to randomly blacklist IP's for the smallest of violations or "iffy" issues. Again that is not fact as far as I know just something I have heard.

Im not fully sure that this may be the absolute resolution to your issue, but this is the best thing that I can find.
https://support.msn.com/eform.aspx?p...&wfxredirect=1