Customer Extra Info (IP Ban)

When managing an online store, having access to customers’ technical data can be just as crucial as understanding what they buy or how often they visit. Customer Extra Info (IP Ban) takes your PrestaShop admin interface to the next level by revealing important session details—like operating system, browser type, screen resolution, and their active IP address—on each customer’s detail page. Equipped with these insights, you can spot potential trends (e.g., a high volume of mobile users) or identify suspicious patterns (like a repeated IP that might indicate fraud).

But that’s just half the story. The module also incorporates an easy-to-use IP banning system, enabling store owners to lock out disruptive or malicious visitors. Whether you want to block an entire IP range or a single address, you can tailor which site sections are off-limits: ban them site-wide, only at checkout, or restrict access to login pages to prevent account takeovers. Plus, you can craft your own custom message—anything from “Sorry, our service is unavailable to you” to a more detailed explanation of the store’s policies.

Key Features

1. Automatic Tech Data Display

   • In the Customer Screen: Whenever you open a customer’s details in the admin panel, you’ll see relevant session data (OS, browser, resolution, IP).
   • Historical Log (Optional): If you choose to store data in the database, you can track changes over time, helpful for debugging or pattern recognition.

2. Intuitive IP Banning Interface

   • Add or Remove Bans: Quickly input single IP addresses or even wildcard ranges if needed.
   • Ban Scope: Decide if you want banned users locked out entirely, or just prevent them from placing orders or logging in.
   • Editable Block Message: Customize the text or page that banned visitors see when they attempt to access restricted areas.

3. Enhanced Security & Fraud Prevention

   • Stop Repeat Offenders: If a particular IP repeatedly triggers suspicious orders or spam attempts, ban them with a few clicks.
   • Combat Phishing or Account Breaches: Blocking IPs from accessing login pages helps thwart repeated hacking attempts.

4. Customizable Configuration

   • Modular Settings: Toggle which pieces of data to capture (maybe you only want IPs and browsers, ignoring resolution).
   • Multi-Store & Multi-Language Support: If you operate multiple stores, define different ban rules or messages per storefront.

Why Technical Data is Crucial

• Better User Support: If a customer reports site issues, knowing their OS or browser can expedite troubleshooting.
• Marketing Insights: A high proportion of mobile Safari users might prompt you to optimize for Apple devices.
• Security Monitoring: Seeing an unusual or obviously spoofed user agent can indicate malicious activity.

Practical Use Cases

1. Fraud & Chargeback Mitigation: A certain IP repeatedly issues chargebacks or uses stolen credit cards—ban them from checkout.
2. Spam or Troll Protection: If you host a blog or forum, keep troublemakers out of login or post areas.
3. Site Compatibility Checks: Knowing your audience’s typical resolution and browser helps prioritize development and design tasks.

How It Works: Under the Hood

1. Installation: Upload the module via PrestaShop back office, and enable it.
2. Configuration: Choose which data points you want to record and how extensively. Then define IP ban rules in the module’s settings.
3. Data Display: For each customer profile, the module extracts session data from the current or last visit and displays it in a consolidated format.
4. Ban Enforcement: If a visitor’s IP is flagged as banned, the module intercepts their request to the restricted area and displays the custom “blocked” message or page.

Key Benefits for Store Owners

• Time Savings: Rather than juggling logs or analytics tools, you get real-time data in the same admin interface you already use.
• Proactive Defense: Quick IP bans prevent recurring issues, letting you focus on genuine customers.
• Fine-Grained Control: Not every issue warrants a full site ban—you can block just the checkout pages to reduce potential fraud.

Best Practices

• Regularly Review Data: Over time, accumulate enough user agent info to see broad trends—like the rising share of mobile customers.
• Ban Responsibly: Use IP bans as a last resort. Some IP addresses might be shared by multiple legit users (like in workplaces or universities).
• Avoid Overreach: If you block entire IP ranges, you risk shutting out potential customers. Keep bans as narrow as possible.

Module Compatibility & Performance

• No Core File Modifications: Installing or uninstalling leaves your PrestaShop files intact.
• Lightweight Implementation: The data captured is minimal and stored efficiently, ensuring no major performance overhead.
• Works with PrestaShop’s Security Tools: The IP ban feature complements, rather than replaces, standard PrestaShop protections like password complexity or account lockouts.

Conclusion

Customer Extra Info (IP Ban) goes beyond standard e-commerce functionalities, giving you an instant peek into each visitor’s device ecosystem and the power to clamp down on problematic IP addresses. Whether you’re aiming to reduce fraud, gather marketing-level insights, or simply want the convenience of seeing who your customers truly are (right in PrestaShop’s admin), this module delivers. By blending user-agent analytics with flexible IP banning, your store becomes both more secure and better informed.

Install Customer Extra Info (IP Ban) now and gain a deeper, safer understanding of the users who matter—and a quick remedy for those who don’t.