Blackhole Pro

Malicious bots can send unwanted requests to a WordPress site, including spam, scans, and scraping. Blackhole Pro uses hidden trigger links to identify bots and trap them in a virtual blackhole. Site owners can control where those triggers appear, including excluding specific pages or posts, and can set custom warning and blocked messages, redirects, and HTTP status codes.

The plugin provides logs with details such as IP addresses, request data, user agents, and geo-location information. Site owners can search and sort the log, manually add bots to the trap, and set email alerts for blocked activity with IP details and Whois lookup. Whitelists and blacklists let them allow trusted bots or block visitors by user agent or IP address, including IP ranges.

Features

• Automated bot trapping: Detects malicious bots and traps them in a virtual blackhole, with hidden trigger links that can be excluded from selected pages or posts.
• Custom bot responses: Set warning and blocked messages, redirect trapped bots to custom URLs, and adjust the HTTP status codes they receive.
• Bot allow and block lists: Allow trusted bots or block unwanted visitors using user agents and IP addresses, including entire IP ranges.
• Searchable activity log: Review blocked bot details, including IP address, request data, user agent, and geo-location, with options to search and sort entries.
• Email alerts: Configure email notifications for blocked bots, including IP details and Whois lookup information.
• Settings screen documentation: Read inline documentation on each settings screen while configuring the plugin in the WordPress admin area.

Best for

• WordPress site owners managing unwanted bot traffic
• Sites receiving spam, scraper, or scanner activity
• Admins who want bot logs and email alerts