Common Reasons For Firewall IP Block

Firewalls help keep your hosting secure. They check incoming and outgoing connections to stop suspicious activities. A blocked IP means the firewall detected behaviour that could be risky for the server. This can happen for different reasons.

Moreover, your IP address is the unique number assigned to your internet connection by your modem or router. When the firewall detects risky patterns linked to your IP, it will deny access to it until the issue is resolved.

Sometimes, the block is temporary and goes away after a while. But in other cases, you may need to take certain actions.

Let’s discuss some major reasons in this article.

Common Reasons for Firewall IP Blocks and How to Prevent Them

Here are some frequent situations for firewall IP blocks on hosting accounts.

Port Scan Detection

A port scan block means your device is trying to connect to server ports that are closed. This often happens when an FTP client or email app is set up incorrectly. It can also occur when trying to SSH on its default port without proper configuration. To prevent this, check the settings of your FTP, email, or SSH tool and make sure they are correct.

Failed SMTP Login Block

This happens when there are too many wrong email login attempts using SMTP. It is common when your phone or PC email client has the wrong email address or password saved. The firewall blocks your IP address to stop hackers from guessing the password. Check your email credentials and update them before trying again.

Failed FTP Login Block

If you try to log in to FTP with the wrong username or password many times, the firewall will block your IP. This is a security measure to prevent brute-force attacks. To avoid this, confirm your FTP username and password in your client before connecting.

Failed POP3 Login Block

POP3 is another way your email client connects to the server. If your email app uses POP3 with the wrong login details, you will get this block. The fix is to recheck the email address and password or reset them if needed.

Mod_Security Block

A mod_security block can be triggered for many reasons. Sometimes it happens if a website plugin or module acts like it is trying to run unsafe code, such as an SQL injection. It can also appear after several failed login attempts in WordPress or Joomla. If this happens, you need to contact our support team so we can check the logs and find the exact cause.

Failed cPanel or Webmail Login Block

This can happen if you enter the wrong cPanel username or password several times. It can also be triggered if you fail to log in to webmail with the wrong email details. Make sure both your cPanel and webmail credentials are correct, and reset passwords if needed.

Conclusion

Firewall IP blocks are there to protect your hosting. They can seem inconvenient, but they stop hackers from forcing their way in. If you cannot figure out the reason, the support team can help you find the exact cause. Get in touch with us!

FAQs

Why did my IP get blocked even if I did nothing wrong?

Normal actions can look suspicious to the firewall in some cases, such as repeated wrong password attempts from a device.

How long does a firewall block last?

Some blocks are temporary and clear automatically. Others stay until you fix the issue or contact support.

Can I whitelist my IP to prevent future blocks?

Yes, support can whitelist your IP if it is safe to do so. This prevents the firewall from blocking you for repeated minor errors.

Why does my IP change after a block?

If you restart your modem or router, your ISP may assign you a new IP address, which can temporarily bypass the block.