#5: Installing an IP Blocker

Every computer connected to the internet has a certain address, which is usually in the format xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx, and is called an IP Address. An IP blocker is a program which can stop you from connecting to certain IP Addresses. There are lists compiled by people all over the world to block known addresses which are bad. There are many different lists on the internet, ranging from blocking whole countries, to blocking known adware and spyware IPs.

There is also a list called bogon, which has lists of IP addresses which have not been assigned by the IANA (Internet Assigned Numbers Authority). IP addresses belonging to the bogon group are usually forged or corrupted, so they are generally not too safe.

For Windows, the biggest IP Blocker is called Peer Guardian 2 (would highly recommend to install it if you are using Windows), but for Ubuntu, I use a program called iplist.

The easiest way to install this program is to use the Synaptic Package Manager (System -> Administration -> Synaptic Package Manager), and search for a program called iplist.

After Ubuntu is done installing that package, and any others that are needed, the program should be available under Applications -> Internet -> IPBlock. Upon entering the program you will be asked for your password, this is just used to give permissions to the program to do what it needs to do.



After the program opens, you should click on the Lists tab. Those are the basic IP lists which should block most of the bad IPs, and bogon is optional. If you click the Add URL button, you will be able to choose from an assortment of different lists, which you can choose to your liking. You could block all government IPs, all edu IPs, certain countries, etc.

The Network tab will allow you to block more protocols, block certain ports, or ignore certain ports, and I would leave those exactly how they are unless you know what you are doing.