Win, Win: Support Spamhaus, Stop Spam

 The Spamhaus Project is an international nonprofit organization whose mission is to track the Internet's spam operations, to provide dependable real time anti-spam protection for Internet networks, to work with Law Enforcement Agencies to identify and pursue spammers worldwide, and to lobby governments for effective anti-spam legislation.

Founded in 1998, Spamhaus is based in Geneva, Switzerland and London, UK and is run by a dedicated team of 28 investigators and forensics specialists located in 8 countries.

Historically Spamhaus did not charge for access to its data feed services. It funded the escalating battle with spammers through a combination of money from their own pockets and donations .

In 2004, compounded by the need to provide certain users with Service Agreement contracts, Spamhaus put forward a new licensing model.  (See Futureproofing Spamhaus) A primary concern for Spamhaus in making this change was to ensure this pricing is exceptionally fair. Charges only apply to data feed users and the pricing includes provisions for non-profit/educational organizations and has a incredibly low cap to the subscription fee providing an “unlimited users “rate.

Currently many companies using Spamhaus data feed services who should be paying for them are not.  Most are not doing so intentionally, but are unaware. As an official Spamhaus data feed vendor, Mxtools has been charged with the task of reaching out to these companies and ensure they are properly licensed. 

The easiest method to quickly accomplish 100% compliance would be to simply stop/suspend service to all companies who should be paying and are not. While perhaps an intelligent business practice, it would produce the unacceptable side effect of  exposing thousands (perhaps millions) of users to the usually litany of email borne threats.  

As such, MXTools is committed to contacting all non-compliant companies, to inform them of their unlicensed use. Given the value provided, becoming compliant is an easy decision. Post sale, MXTools  provides technical support for all data feeds. 

For the yearly price of pennies per user, users gain compliant access to the Spamhaus Data feed and comprehensive product support provided by MXTools.  It’s a win,win!  Employ the best DNSBL solution to stop spam and support Spamhaus’ continued fight against spammers at the same time.