Geo Restrict
In the vast and interconnected world of online gaming, server administrators often face unique challenges regarding player access. Whether you are running a private community, a regional server, or a public hub, the need to control who connects is paramount. This is where the Geo Restrict add-on becomes an indispensable tool. It empowers server owners to manage connections based on geography, internet service providers, and even suspicious network behaviors like VPNs or proxies.
Why Your Server Needs Geo Restrict
Modern Minecraft servers are not just about gameplay; they are about community management and security. Griefers, griefers, and abusive actors often exploit anonymous networks to bypass bans or target specific regions. Geo Restrict for Minecraft solves this by providing granular control over incoming connections. It allows you to create allowlists and blocklists not just for countries, but for specific Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs) and hosting providers known for abuse.
The tool is particularly useful for operators dealing with abuse from specific data center networks. By implementing these rules, you ensure that your server remains a welcoming space for legitimate players while filtering out unwanted traffic. The software supports advanced features like editable rules for VPN and proxy detection, ensuring that even players trying to hide their true location can be identified and managed.
Key Features and Capabilities
What makes this add-on stand out is its comprehensive approach to network security. It includes robust country allowlists and blocklists, giving you the power to restrict access to or from specific nations. Beyond geography, it handles ASN allowlists and blocklists, which is crucial for blocking traffic from specific ISPs or hosting companies.
- Editable VPN, proxy, and hosting detection rules to stop anonymous connections.
- Seamless Geyser and Floodgate Bedrock integration with custom bypass settings for cross-play scenarios.
- A powerful Developer API (GeoRestrictAPI) that enables Geo-Routing without kicking players, allowing for custom data handling.
- Local lookup cache with automatic expiry to ensure fast server performance even under heavy load.
- Discord block notifications to keep your team informed of blocking events in real-time.
Furthermore, the software includes clear behavior when the lookup service is temporarily unavailable, preventing server crashes during network hiccups. For those who need to verify status manually, there are dedicated commands for lookup checks, cache management, and reloads.
Installation and Setup
Getting started with this security layer is straightforward, though it requires a few specific steps to ensure compatibility. The single v2.0.2 jar file is designed to support a wide range of server software, including Bukkit, Spigot, Paper, Purpur, Folia, BungeeCord, Waterfall, and Velocity. It targets Java 17 bytecode, though your server runtime can be newer.
To download Geo Restrict, you simply need to locate the official source and obtain the jar file. Once you have the file, the process of installation involves placing it into your plugins directory and restarting your server. After the restart, you will need to edit the config.yml file located in the plugins/GeoRestrict folder to tailor the settings to your needs. We recommend starting with a short list of countries and testing it using the /georestrict check command with a specific IP address before expanding your ruleset to include ASNs or VPN rules.
If you prefer a streamlined experience, platforms like the foxygame.net launcher offer a one-click install feature that simplifies the process. This launcher not only allows you to install Geo Restrict effortlessly but also maintains an extensive add-on catalog for easy management. Additionally, the auto-updates feature ensures that your security plugins remain current without manual intervention, and it handles version compatibility checks automatically so you never worry about broken dependencies.
Understanding the Data Flow
Transparency is key to understanding how this tool works. When a player attempts to connect and the server lacks cached data for their IP, the address is sent to a configured lookup service. This service returns information regarding the country, ASN, and proxy status. Geo Restrict does not operate a central player dashboard; instead, it relies on the privacy policy of the lookup service to handle the data path.
Administrators can configure the system to block new connections when the cache is empty if the lookup path is unavailable, though this can be toggled to allow connections in such scenarios. This flexibility ensures that your server remains online even if the external lookup service experiences downtime.
Conclusion
Managing a Minecraft server requires vigilance and the right tools. Geo Restrict provides a comprehensive solution for regional control, abuse prevention, and network management. By understanding how to install and configure it properly, you can create a safer, more controlled environment for your community. Whether you are blocking specific countries or filtering out malicious proxy traffic, this add-on offers the precision needed for modern server administration.
For further assistance, developers encourage users to consult the wiki and join the Demonz Development Discord for support. Always read the privacy policy and terms before using public services, and remember that the generated network settings should remain unchanged unless you fully understand the lookup path. With the right configuration, your server will be well-protected against unwanted interference.