IP Blocker and Hotlink Protection are security tools used to limit unwanted access to your website.
They help reduce abuse, unauthorized usage and unnecessary bandwidth consumption.

These features are available on Web Hosting and Site Hosting packages.

IP Blocker Explained #

The IP Blocker allows you to block specific IP addresses or ranges from accessing your website.

What IP Blocking Does #

IP blocking:

• Prevents access from selected IP addresses
• Applies immediately
• Affects all domains under the hosting account

Blocked visitors will not be able to load your website.

When to Use IP Blocker #

IP Blocker is useful when:

• A specific IP is abusing your website
• You detect repeated malicious activity
• You want to temporarily block access during troubleshooting

It should be used carefully and selectively.

Risks of IP Blocking #

Blocking IPs incorrectly can:

• Block legitimate users
• Block search engine crawlers
• Block your own access

Never block large IP ranges unless absolutely necessary.

Hotlink Protection Explained #

Hotlink Protection prevents external websites from directly linking to your files, such as images or videos.

This protects your bandwidth and content.

What Hotlink Protection Does #

Hotlink Protection:

• Blocks other websites from embedding your files
• Allows access only from approved domains
• Prevents bandwidth theft

Visitors can still view files normally on your own website.

Common Hotlink Protection Use Cases #

Hotlink Protection is commonly used to:

• Protect images from being embedded elsewhere
• Reduce bandwidth usage
• Prevent unauthorized content reuse

It is especially useful for media-heavy websites.

How Hotlink Protection Works #

Hotlink Protection checks:

• The referring website
• Whether the request comes from an allowed domain

If the request is unauthorized, access is denied.

Common Hotlink Protection Issues #

Hotlink Protection may cause:

• Images not loading on external services
• Issues with CDNs or third-party integrations
• Broken content on linked platforms

Allow trusted domains if required.

When Not to Use Hotlink Protection #

Do not enable Hotlink Protection if:

• You use external CDNs
• You embed content across multiple domains
• You rely on third-party integrations

Incorrect configuration can break legitimate functionality.

Using IP Blocker and Hotlink Protection Together #

Both tools can be used together:

• IP Blocker controls who can access
• Hotlink Protection controls how files are used

They serve different security purposes.

Common Mistakes #

• Blocking IPs without verification
• Blocking search engine IPs
• Enabling Hotlink Protection without testing
• Forgetting to allow trusted domains

Always test after applying changes.

Responsibility Notice #

You are responsible for:

• Correct configuration of security tools
• Avoiding unintended access blocks
• Monitoring website functionality after changes

ProRedLine does not automatically review or revert these settings.