~/Effective IP Block Lists to Secure Your Server

Nov 13, 2022

Using IP block lists is a fast way to protect your server from malicious traffic. Below are reliable sources and implementation tips.

Common IP Block List Sources

1. FireHOL maintains several curated block lists covering spammers, attackers, and bots.
2. Spamhaus DROP provides a free list aimed at known threat actors.
3. AbuseIPDB offers frequently updated data based on user reports.
4. Emerging Threats serves security feeds for IPs linked to malware or botnets.

Implementation Example With iptables

To block a list of IPs using iptables:

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while read ip; do
  iptables -A INPUT -s $ip -j DROP
done < ipblocklist.txt

Automation

Automate updates with cron:

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0 3 * * * curl -s https://url-to-your-ip-list | while read ip; do iptables -A INPUT -s $ip -j DROP; done

Tips

• Combine multiple blacklists for broader coverage.
• Update regularly to ensure new threats are blocked.
• Use fail2ban for local, dynamic blocks.

Block lists help, but always use in combination with other security measures for comprehensive server protection.