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Sometimes you may want to block your site from being accessed by specific connections and IP addresses. Common examples of situations where you might want to block access include:
- Geographical Blocking:
Your products are not legally available in a specific geographic location. Therefore, you would like to block your store from being viewed in that area altogether.
- Site Protection:
Someone is specifically targeting your site with abusive comments and/or reviews. Perhaps they are constantly trying to place fraudulent orders on your store. Block their ability to view your site and avoid any more problems.
Blocking IP Addresses
To block IP Addresses from accessing your site, please use the following steps:
Note
To view the IP Security options, please be sure to enable the "Settings: Advanced General Settings - IP Security" module in your online store manager's Modules page.
- Log into your Shift4Shop Online Store Manager
- Go to Settings >General >IP Security
- Click on "+Add New" at the top right
- Add the IP address range information in the provided fields
- Click "Add"
Note
The IP Security page has a limit of 5000 IP ranges which can be added to it. After this limit is reached, you will not be able to add additional ranges until ranges are removed to be below 5000.
Individual IPs
To block an individual IP address, add the IP number to both fields (i.e. 192.168.0.1 - 192.168.0.1) and click "Add"
Range of IPs
To block an entire range of IP addresses, add the first IP number in the left field, followed by the last number of the range in the second field. (i.e. 192.168.0.1 - 192.168.0.255) Then click "Add."
Note:
After blocking the IP address, those individuals attempting to access your site will see a "403 Access Forbidden" page on your site.
IP Verification
At the very top of the page, you will see a field labeled "IP Verification" where you can enter an IP address to see if it matches any of the ranges you have entered for blocking. If the IP address belongs in the range, the system will show you the range that it belongs. to.
Tip:
Also note that along the top right of the page, you will have the option of exporting or importing a CSV file of IP addresses to block! The import CSV file can be used for ranges or individual IPs.
(Tip: you will need to have at least one IP or range blocked in order to see the Export/Import button).
Be aware that if the limit of 5000 ranges is met, the import options will not appear.
Block by Country
Shift4Shop also features the ability to block an entire country if needed. This helps to ensure that you will receive no traffic from a particular country if necessary. To Access it, log into your Online Store Manager and go to Settings > General > Block by Country
When first accessing this page, you will see a screen with a description of the page and a button that displays "Block IP By Country". Click on this button to block a country.
In the window that displays, you will see the following options:
- Country - Here you can select the country you wish to block access to via a dropdown menu. Simply select the one you wish to restrict.
- Comments - This is a field where you can enter internal comments to leave notes on a particular country being blocked. Such as a specific example order or situation.
After selecting a country, you can press the Add button to add the entry.
Once a country has been blocked, the page will now show a list of any countries that have been blocked along with the comments that were entered. You will have the ability to Add New records using the button at the top, and you can also delete existing records. You are also able to modify the comments on a record and save them.
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