Blocking IP addresses (internet protocol) is a must-do to protect websites from malicious people. Such as hackers stealing data, spam messages or robots.
For example, you want to build a website that sells products specifically for the US market. But having too many IPs coming from abroad sometimes clogs the transmission. And you want to prevent IPs that are not in the target client file to optimize work. Then here are 3 WordPress plugins for you to block unwanted IPs.
Contents
How to identify unwanted country IP address
- Access the Google Analytics dashboard
- In the Audience section, select Geo > Location
- Then go to search by country
Source: Learn Digital Advertising
Analytics shows you where spam traffic is coming from. Those could be the top countries in terms of number of visitors. To determine if any country’s traffic is harmful to your site, you should look at your visitor’s profile and interaction data including bounce rate, average the number of pages a user visits after exiting your site (Pages / Session) and the average length of time users are active on your site (Avg. Session Duration).
Top 3 WordPress plugins to block IP addresses by country
#1 IP2Location
IP2Location
IP2Location is best rated to block IP address by country or proxy server. It allows you to block access from different countries and anonymous proxies. Thanks to this WordPress plugin, it’s easier to blanket unwanted IPs.
Standout features:
- Block access from countries.
- Block access by country groups such as EU, ASEAN, BREXIT, …
- Restrict access to anonymous proxies.
- Block IP ranges.
- Supports IPv4 and IPv6.
- Displays a 403 error message.
- Customize 403 page.
- Send email notifications if someone is trying to access your site.
- Statistical report on blocked traffic.
Price: Free for trial. Licenses range from $49/year.
Note: This plugin is not suitable for cache plugins.
#2 WordFence-Firewall and Security Sacnner Plugin
Wordfence
Reached more than 4 million installs. WordFence is no longer an unfamiliar WordPress plugin. It’s one of the most popular scanners and firewalls.
WordFence helps users to intercept traffic or any request with malicious code. This plugin can protect your site from malware. Backdoors, cyber attacks or spam are also effectively prevented by WordFence.
Standout features:
- Increased security for websites.
- View detailed security statistics.
- Identify and block malicious traffic.
- Block access to your login form.
- Check core, theme, and plugin files for malware, bad URLs, backdoors, SEO spam, malicious redirects, and malicious code.
- Raises warnings about potential security issues when a plugin has been closed or banned.
- Free to use for unlimited sites.
- Track visits and hacking attempts that are not shown in other analytics in real time.
- Block attackers by IP or build advanced rules based on IP ranges, hostnames, user agents, and referrer.
Price: Free. Premium license from $99/year
#3 IQ Block Country
IQ Block Country
Another effective WordPress plugin to prevent malicious traffic is IQ Block Country. With this plugin, you can block access based on their IP address and country.
IQ Block Country allows you to download GeoLite data from Maxmind. It’s an online fraud detection company. And also provide data IP addresses. Database accuracy from Maxmind to 95%. So it is not difficult for you to use this plugin.
Standout features:
- Prevent visitors from harming your WordPress website/page.
- Limit the country that can access your site.
- Store data about visitors.
- Block all countries and only for your IP address.
- White list of IP addresses.
- Redirect visitors to an external website.
- Add an extra layer of security to your WordPress site.
Price: FREE
Note: You can only use this plugin when you deactivate your caching plugin.
Epilogue
hopes the above useful sharing will help you better secure your website.
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