> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.authenticateme.xyz/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Network settings

> See where members are really connecting from, and block VPNs, proxies, mobile data, or whole countries.

Network checks look at the connection a member verifies from. They all need the [Web-Link](https://docs.authenticateme.xyz/setup/verification-modes.md#web-link) mode.

## Block VPN

Block members using a VPN from verifying.

![The Block VPN card](https://mintcdn.com/authenticate-me/doqmYpEurtBuXylj/images/settings/card-block-vpn-light.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=doqmYpEurtBuXylj\&q=85\&s=adbfed16316e5fe8fb4ec5b212da282f)

| Option | Value |
| - | - |
| Action | Log, Kick, or Ban |
| Modes | Web-Link |

VPNs and proxies let people hide who they are, which makes it easy to dodge a ban or create alt accounts. This check flags connections that come through a VPN or a proxy.

Some legitimate members use a VPN for privacy, and iCloud Private Relay counts as one too. If that's common in your community, use **Log** or give those members a [bypass link](https://docs.authenticateme.xyz/moderation/bypasses.md). Members who get caught can follow [VPN detected](https://docs.authenticateme.xyz/help/verification-errors/vpn-detected.md).

## Block Mobile Data

Block members on mobile data from verifying.

![The Block Mobile Data card](https://mintcdn.com/authenticate-me/doqmYpEurtBuXylj/images/settings/card-block-mobile-data-light.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=doqmYpEurtBuXylj\&q=85\&s=5a38418b2353714a996afb60b2958388)

| Option | Value |
| - | - |
| Action | Log, Kick, or Ban |
| Modes | Web-Link |

Mobile networks hand out new IP addresses all the time, so they're a cheap way to look like a different person. Blocking them closes that gap, but it also blocks members who only have mobile internet. Members who fail are asked to verify from a Wi-Fi connection.

## GeoGate

Choose which countries members can verify from.

![The GeoGate card with three countries blocked](https://mintcdn.com/authenticate-me/doqmYpEurtBuXylj/images/settings/card-geo-gate-light.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=doqmYpEurtBuXylj\&q=85\&s=d55aebd41ff404fd76346dbf1890c7ab)

| Option | Value |
| - | - |
| List | Blocklist or Allowlist |
| Countries | Any of 250 countries and territories |
| Action | Log, Kick, or Ban, set per continent, region, or country |
| Modes | Web-Link |

GeoGate filters members by the country they verify from. Use it to keep out regions your server gets raided from, or to run a server that's only open to one country.

### Set up GeoGate

**1. Turn on GeoGate**

In **Settings → Network**, switch on **GeoGate** and click **Configure**.

**2. Choose a list type**

> **Blocklist**
>
> Members from the selected countries can't verify.

> **Allowlist**
>
> Only members from the selected countries can verify.

**3. Pick countries**

Click countries on the **Globe** or the flat **Map**, or tick them in the list below it. You can search all 250 countries and territories by name, or tick a whole continent or region at once.

![The GeoGate window with a globe and a list of countries grouped by continent](https://mintcdn.com/authenticate-me/uiYE6L6ar1H7VuT4/images/settings/geogate-modal-light.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=uiYE6L6ar1H7VuT4\&q=85\&s=e207666a8164e110ece9563c47a62842)

**4. Choose the actions**

Each continent has its own action, which is Log, Kick, or Ban. Expand a continent to set a different action for one of its regions or countries. The colors on the globe show the action each country gets.

**5. Save**

Close the window, then click **Save changes**. The GeoGate card shows how many countries you've picked.

### Which action applies

When a member is caught, AuthenticateMe uses the most specific action you've set. A country's own action comes first, then its region's, then its continent's.

For example, with Europe set to **Log** and Russia set to **Ban**, a member verifying from Russia is banned, while a member from any other blocked European country is only logged.

### What members and staff see

Members who can't verify from their country see "This server doesn't allow verification from your country", whether you use a blocklist or an allowlist. To protect their privacy, the log never shows a member's country. It only shows whether the server uses a blocklist or an allowlist, and which action was taken.

> [!NOTE]
>
> The country comes from the member's IP address. A VPN can make someone appear to be somewhere else, so pair GeoGate with [Block VPN](#block-vpn).


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