Recently, one of our readers asked if it’s possible to block disposable email addresses in WordPress? Disposable email addresses are temporary email accounts used by spammers to create fake WordPress accounts. In this article, we will show you how to effectively block disposable email addresses in WordPress.
What are Disposable Email Addresses and Why Block Them in WordPress
Most websites require an email address to create user accounts. This allows website owners to verify accounts by sending them a link to that email address.
Spammers found a workaround to that requirement in shape of disposable emails. These temporary email accounts are available for a short duration allowing spammers to verify an account.
If you run a WordPress membership site or allow user registration, then people can use those disposable email accounts to create fake user accounts on your website.
You can block spam user registrations using different plugins. However by blocking disposable email addresses, you can significantly reduce spam user registrations on your website.
Having said that, let’s take a look at how to block disposable email addresses in WordPress.
Blocking Disposable Email Addresses in WordPress
First thing you need to do is install and activate the Ban Hammer plugin. For more details, see our step by step guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.
Upon activation, you need to visit Tools » Ban Hammer page to configure plugin settings.
Now you need to enter a custom error message to show when someone uses a disposable email address.
Next, you need to enter the domain names you want to block. You can find a list of the most commonly used burner email providers as a txt file on GitHub.
Simply copy the list of domains and paste them under blacklisted emails box on plugin’s settings page. You can also add any other domains that are not included in this list.
Don’t forget to click on the Update Options button to store your settings.
Any users who now try to register using a disposable email address will see the error message you defined earlier.
We hope this article helped you learn how to block disposable email addresses in WordPress. You may also want to see these 12 vital tips and tools to combat comment spam in WordPress
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Mitchell says
Ban Hammer is no longer available on wordpress.org. it was removed at the author’s request.
I wish someone would pick it up.
I need a new one that’s preferably free. I have 10+ sites that need it.
Mitch
WPBeginner Support says
Thank you for letting us know, we will be sure to look for an alternative option for us to update this article
Admin
Michael Jones says
Do you know of a plugin that allows you to block domains on forms throughout the site? I tried the Gforms code snippet extension with no luck. A plugin that allows sites to prevent specific domains from successfully filling out forms would be a huge help if you know of something like that.
Thanks!
Ernst says
Hi Michael, did you find a solution ? I would be very interested to know how to solve the same issue..
Mark says
As a wordpress beginner this is a really useful tutorial to know about – thanks a lot!
Jennifer DeFrates/Heaven Not Harvard says
I have hundreds of people signed up as users on my blog/site. I went through and blocked most of the addresses that seemed like spam, but I wondered if there is a way to find out if registered users are spam or actual followers?
WPBeginner Support says
Please see our guide on how to force users to reset passwords and how to monitor user activity in WordPress.. Once you reset password for users they will be required to reset password. When a user logs in you will have a record of it in simple user activity. This way you can confirm which of your users are real.
Admin
Ubbegubben says
Hello
Thanks for all your great tutorials. I wonder IF u can assist me?
I have i Site were i show my future customers How there site would look like if the let me build it for them!
I usualy sets a password to That page so that only that One customer can see it.
Do you know of Any way for me to see if anyone is login in to the site?
Would be nice for me to know if the are active at all. Or if i should get my offer to another client!
Best regards
Urban Eriksson