Block spam in the fixed network
There are three ways to block commercial calls on your landline - all three use the same spam database maintained by the PhoneBlock community, but differ significantly in terms of effort, effect and requirements for your connection. This page will help you choose.
Which variant suits you?
Three quick questions and you'll know which options are right for your connection.
1. which router model do you have?
2. own Fritz! box or rented from the provider?
With a rental box, the provider can block the registration of telephones from the Internet (e.g. Vodafone) - the cloud answering machine is therefore no longer available.
3. how old is your Fritz! box?
Models from 2018 with FRITZ!OS 7 or newer have CardDAV support - a prerequisite for the blocklist phone book.
2. which telephony provider?
Some providers allow direct VoIP device registration on their infrastructure - in this case the Phoneblock dongle works even if the router does not support VOIP telephones.
All three variants work for you.
Recommended: PhoneBlock dongle - best defense, best data protection, independent of router updates. Cloud answering machine or blocklist phonebook are also possible.
Phoneblock dongle and cloud answering machine fit.
Recommended: PhoneBlock dongle. Alternatively: Cloud answering machine. The Blocklist phonebook requires a Fritz!Box from 2018 and is not available for your box.
Phoneblock dongle and blocklist phonebook fit.
Recommended: PhoneBlock dongle. Alternatively: Blocklist phonebook. You cannot set up the Cloud answering machine on a rental Fritz!Box - you need access to the VoIP telephony configuration.
The Phoneblock dongle is your variant.
The PhoneBlock dongle works with your configuration - the other two variants fail: Cloud answering machine needs Fritz!Box with login from the Internet, the blocklist phone book needs a Fritz!Box from 2018 onwards.
The Phoneblock dongle works for you.
Telekom allows direct VoIP device registration on its infrastructure - the PhoneBlock dongle registers there, the router does not matter. Cloud answering machine and blocklist phone book require a Fritz!Box and are not available.
Probably the Phoneblock dongle - please check with your provider.
Without a Fritz!Box, only the PhoneBlock dongle is an option, and your provider must allow direct SIP device registration for this. If in doubt, ask your provider support or pre-connect your own Fritz!Box - then the selection is free again.
Unfortunately, PhoneBlock has no chance with this constellation.
Vodafone blocks direct SIP device registration, and without a Fritz!Box there is no telephony endpoint for the other variants. Recommendation: Hang your own Fritz!Box behind the Vodafone box (bridge mode / cable modem mode) - then all three variants will work. You can then run the wizard again.
Comparison: Three ways to block landline spam
| PhoneBlock dongle | Cloud answering machine | Blocklist phonebook | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Effectiveness | Maximum, entire block list | Maximum, entire block list | Good, but only a small section of the block list, sync ≤ 1 ×/day |
| Prerequisites | Almost any router/provider combination | Only own Fritz!Box (no provider rental box) | Newer Fritz!Box with CardDAV |
| Data protection | Optimal; Local call handling; Only hash matching for unknown callers | Problematic; signaling of every call (also from contacts) runs via PhoneBlock server | Optimal; nothing leaves the router |
| Setup effort | Plug & Play | up (automatically with PhoneBlock Mobile App) | moderate |
| Additional hardware | USB dongle, approx. 10 € | None (cloud service) | None (integrated in Fritz!Box) |
| Phone remains completely silent during spam | Yes | Yes | Optionally lock or display only |
| Actively employ spammers | No - briefly waved off | Yes - involved in dialog | No - call is blocked |
Which solution suits you?
- Phoneblock dongle - if you want optimum SPAM protection with the best data protection, regardless of router model and provider.
- Cloud answering machine - if you have your own Fritz!Box (not a rental box) and accept that all your calls are checked by the PhoneBlock server for optimal SPAM defense.
- Blocklist phonebook - if you have a Fritz!Box (also a rental box) and don't mind if a spammer who is actually on the blocklist slips through every now and then.
I have decided - here we go
Phoneblock dongle
Recommended - best defense, best data protection
Thumb-sized USB stick in the router. Answering machine in IP telephone format, blocks spam locally in your home. Hardware approx. 10 €, setup in the browser.
Cloud answering machine
Engage spammers in pointless dialogs
Uses your Fritz!Box as a VoIP registrar. PhoneBlock accepts spam calls and keeps callers busy. Prerequisite: your own Fritz! box (not a rental box).
Blocklist phonebook
Without additional hardware, directly in the Fritz!
Imports the block list as a phone book into your Fritz! Nothing leaves the router. Also works with provider rental boxes, provided they support CardDAV.