What should I do if my IP is mistakenly blocked by intrusion prevention?

If your IP is mistakenly blocked by an intrusion prevention system (IPS), follow these steps to resolve the issue:

1. Identify the Cause: Check the IPS logs or notifications to understand why your IP was blocked. Common reasons include suspicious traffic patterns, repeated failed login attempts, or known attack signatures.

2. Verify Legitimacy: Confirm that the blocked activity was not malicious. If it was a false positive (e.g., automated scripts, VPN usage, or legitimate high traffic), proceed to request unblocking.

3. Contact Support: Reach out to the administrator of the IPS or the service provider managing the protection system. Provide details such as:

   • Your IP address
   • The time of the block
   • Evidence that the activity was legitimate (e.g., server logs, user reports)

4. Request Whitelisting: If the IP is trusted (e.g., a business server or VPN endpoint), ask to be added to a whitelist to prevent future blocks.

5. Adjust IPS Rules (if applicable): If you manage the IPS, refine its rules to reduce false positives. For example, adjust thresholds for failed login attempts or exclude specific IP ranges.

Example Scenario:
A company’s VPN IP is blocked because the IPS detects multiple login attempts. The IT team confirms the activity is legitimate (employees working remotely) and contacts the security team to whitelist the VPN’s IP range.

Cloud Solution Recommendation:
If you’re using a cloud-based IPS (like a web application firewall or network security service), consider Tencent Cloud’s Security products, such as Web Application Firewall (WAF) or DDoS Protection, which offer granular rule management and IP whitelisting to minimize false positives while maintaining security.