Adrian Johnson
TLDR:
Spam and Open Relay Blocking System (SORBS) has been closed by Proofpoint, its owner. The list contained over 12 million host servers known for spam, phishing, and other malicious emails. The service is over 20 years old and has been used by over 200,000 organizations. Proofpoint decommissioned SORBS due to various factors impacting sustainability. The anti-spam community is hopeful that legitimate parties will acquire SORBS to continue its transparent and effective operations.
Article Summary:
The Spam and Open Relay Blocking System (SORBS), a well-known source for blocking spam, has been shut down by its owner Proofpoint. SORBS provided free access to a DNS-based Block List containing over 12 million host servers known for spreading spam and phishing attacks. The service, in operation for over 20 years, was highly rated for its accuracy and used by over 200,000 organizations.
Proofpoint decided to decommission SORBS on June 5, 2024, citing sustainability concerns. The closure of SORBS has led to discussions in the anti-spam community about finding a new home for the service to ensure its continuity. While alternatives like SpamCop and Spamhaus exist, SORBS was praised for its transparent operating practices and detailed documentation of decision-making processes.
Sources suggest that spammers may be interested in acquiring SORBS for malicious purposes, but legitimate parties are encouraged to step in and maintain the service. The anti-spam community values the transparency of SORBS and hopes that it will find a new owner to uphold its reputation as a reliable blocklist provider.
