FAQ

Blacklist, blocklist, and whitelist?

Blacklist is a list of entities that are banned or denied access because they are identified as dangerous or undesirable. For example, an email server might blacklist spam-sending addresses to prevent spam. In the field of cybersecurity, antivirus software also uses blacklists to block files or websites containing malicious code.

Blocklist is also a list for blocking, but it has a broader scope and is not limited to threats. A system might blocklist IP addresses from a specific country to control access, even if those IPs show no signs of danger. Additionally, organizations may blocklist websites like social media or entertainment platforms to avoid impacting employee productivity.

In contrast, Whitelist is a list of entities granted access or allowed to operate without restrictions. For example, a company might whitelist trusted partner email addresses to ensure their emails don’t get filtered into spam. In system security, whitelists are often used to permit only trusted software or devices to function, reducing risks from unknown sources.