What is an IP address?
An IP address is a number that identifies a device on the internet, like a house number on a street. An example looks like 203.0.113.25. Every visitor to your site has one. If one visitor causes trouble, such as sending spam or trying to guess passwords, you can block their IP address.
The tool is named IP Deny Manager on older versions of cPanel. Newer versions call it IP Blocker. It works the same way.
Warning: Do not block your own IP address. You would lose access to your own site. Visit a site that shows your IP address first, and check it is not in your block list.
Block an IP address
- Log in to your cPanel account.
- In the Security section, open IP Blocker (or IP Deny Manager).
- In the box, type the address you want to block.
- Click Add.
That visitor now sees an error page when they try to open your site.
Ways to write the address
- A single address:
203.0.113.25 - A range, using a dash:
203.0.113.1-203.0.113.50 - A range with a slash:
203.0.113.0/24 - A partly written address:
203.0.113.blocks all that start this way. - A domain name:
example.com. cPanel looks up the domain's address and blocks it.
Unblock an IP address
- Open IP Blocker again.
- Scroll down to the list of blocked addresses.
- Find the address you want to free.
- Click Delete next to it.
- Confirm if cPanel asks you.
The visitor can open your site again at once.
Good to know
- Blocking a wide range can stop real visitors. Use small ranges.
- Some attackers change addresses often. Blocking helps, but it is not a full fix.
- Blocks work for your website only, not for email.
Tip: If you block someone by mistake and cannot fix it, open a support ticket and Hostvento support can help.
Quick recap
- An IP address identifies a visitor's device.
- Open IP Blocker (IP Deny Manager) under Security.
- Type an address, range or domain and click Add.
- Click Delete next to an entry to unblock it.
- Never block your own address.