When you are running a website, by default, it is accessible to visitors from all over the world. And while this has its benefits, sometimes, the content and information it provides is not relevant to everyone. There are times when you just want to block visitors from some countries for that purpose or just want to manage your website traffic better. A good use of this, for example, is when you want to host a local competition or contest and you don't want to allow visitors from other countries, but only from your own.
First off, you need to have a GeoDNS subscription. Then you need to follow these simple steps:
1. Log in into your ClouDNS account.
2. Navigate to your GeoDNS zone.
3. In the zone's control panel, add a new A record.
4. In the record's settings, type as follows:
Type: A
Location: Here, choose the country, you wish to block visitors from
TTL: 1 Hour
Host:
Points to: 127.0.0.1*
*127.0.0.1 is a special IP address reserved for loopback testing, allowing a computer to communicate with itself locally. When a DNS A record settings point to 127.0.0.1 for a specific country, it effectively blocks users from that country by routing their requests back to their own device, resulting in an error message (“This site can’t be reached”) instead of accessing the website.
In the digital landscape, where cyber threats loom large, country-specific visitor blocking emerges as a key defensive strategy for website security. This approach centers on proactively identifying and restricting access from regions known for high levels of cybercrime or hacking activities. By implementing geo-blocking, a website can significantly diminish the risk of attacks such as DDoS, phishing, and malware infiltration. This approach not only fortifies the website's defenses but also safeguards sensitive user data from potential breaches. In an era where cyber threats are constantly evolving, country-specific visitor blocking stands as a crucial layer in a multi-tiered security strategy, ensuring a safer online environment for both the website and its legitimate users.