Setting Up IP Whitelisting

This article shows you how to set up IP whitelisting on your Web60 website to control which IP addresses can access your site.

What is IP Whitelisting?

IP whitelisting is a security method that only allows specific IP addresses to access your website. Everyone else gets blocked. This is useful if you want to restrict access to your website while you're building it, or if you only want certain people (like employees) to view it.

An IP address is like a postal address for your internet connection. Every device connected to the internet has one.

Step 1: Find Your IP Address

Before setting up whitelisting, you need to know your IP address:

1. Go to whatismyipaddress.com in your web browser
2. Write down the number shown (it looks like 192.168.1.1)
3. If other people need access, ask them to do the same

Step 2: Log Into Your Web60 Portal

1. Go to your Web60 portal login page
2. Enter your email address and password
3. Click "Sign In"

If you can't remember your login details, see our guide on Login Issues and Password Reset.

Step 3: Access Security Settings

1. Click on your website name from the dashboard
2. Look for the "Security" tab in the menu
3. Click "IP Access Control" or "IP Whitelisting"

Step 4: Set Up Your Whitelist

1. Click "Enable IP Whitelisting" or similar button
2. In the IP address field, enter your IP address from Step 1
3. Add a description like "My office" so you remember what this IP is for
4. Click "Add IP Address"

Step 5: Add More IP Addresses (Optional)

To allow other people access:

1. Click "Add New IP" or the "+" button
2. Enter their IP address
3. Add a description like "John's home office"
4. Click "Add IP Address"
5. Repeat for each person who needs access

Step 6: Test Your Settings

1. Save your changes
2. Try visiting your website in a new browser tab
3. You should be able to see your site normally
4. Ask someone not on your whitelist to try visiting - they should see a "Forbidden" or "Access Denied" message

Important Notes

• Your IP address might change if you restart your router or switch internet providers
• Mobile networks often have different IP addresses than your office WiFi
• If you get locked out, you'll need to contact support to remove the restriction

IP whitelisting works well with other security measures. Consider reading our WordPress Security Best Practices guide for additional protection.

If you're still stuck or can't find the IP whitelisting options in your portal, contact our support team who can help you set this up.

FAQ

Q: What happens if my IP address changes?

A: You'll be locked out of your own website. Contact support to update your IP address or temporarily disable whitelisting.

Q: Can I whitelist an entire office network?

A: Yes, you can add IP ranges instead of individual addresses. Contact support for help setting up network ranges.

Q: Will IP whitelisting affect my website's SEO?

A: Yes, search engines won't be able to access your site while whitelisting is active. Only use this for private sites or during development.

Q: How do I find someone else's IP address?

A: Ask them to visit whatismyipaddress.com and send you the number shown. Make sure they're using the internet connection they'll normally use to access your site.

Q: Can I set up IP whitelisting for just the WordPress admin area?

A: This article covers full site whitelisting. For admin-only restrictions, you'll need to use WordPress security plugins or contact support for advanced options.

Q: How many IP addresses can I whitelist?

A: Most accounts allow up to 50 IP addresses. If you need more, contact support to discuss your requirements.

Q: How do I turn off IP whitelisting?

A: Go back to the IP Access Control section in your Web60 portal and click "Disable IP Whitelisting" or remove all IP addresses from the list.