Methods to Block Malicious IP Addresses in WordPress

You can block malicious IP addresses in WordPress using several effective methods:

1. Manually Block IPs via WordPress Dashboard
   Navigate to Settings → Discussion in your WordPress admin panel. Scroll to the “Disallowed Comment Keys” or “Comment Blacklist” section and paste the suspicious IP addresses. This prevents those IPs from posting comments but does not block site access entirely.

2. Block IPs Using cPanel’s IP Blocker
   Log in to your hosting account’s cPanel, go to the Security section, and select IP Blocker. Enter the IP address or IP range you want to block and add it. This method blocks the IPs from accessing your entire website at the server level, providing stronger protection against malicious traffic.

3. Use Security Plugins
   Install a security plugin like All-In-One Security (AIOS) that automatically detects and blocks suspicious IP addresses. These plugins often include firewalls and other tools to protect your site from malware and attacks without manual IP management.

4. Block IPs via .htaccess File
   Edit your WordPress site’s .htaccess file (located in the root directory) to deny access to specific IPs. For example, to block a single IP, add:

   <Limit GET POST>
   order allow,deny
   deny from 123.45.67.89
   allow from all
   </Limit>
   

   To block multiple IPs or ranges, add multiple deny from lines or specify partial IPs to block ranges. This method blocks access at the web server level and is very effective but requires careful editing and backups to avoid site issues.

Summary Table

Each method serves different needs: for comment spam, use WordPress settings; for full site blocking, use cPanel or .htaccess; for automated protection, use security plugins. Always back up your site and files before making changes, especially when editing .htaccess or server settings.