User - MX Filter is a free Joomla extension designed to protect your site from unwanted user registrations. It filters registration attempts based on the MX server of the user's email domain, preventing spam and problematic email hosts from cluttering your database. Built for Joomla users who value a clean, secure site, this extension ensures only legitimate users can register, providing peace of mind without impacting performance. Let’s keep your inbox clean and protect your user base—starting today!
User - MX Filter Features
- MX Record Validation: Prevent registration using email addresses from domains without a valid MX record.
- Blacklist Filtering: Block registrations from email addresses hosted on MX matching entries in a configurable blacklist. Partial domain matches are possible – for example, a blacklist entry of example.com will match any subdomain of example.com (e.g., mail.example.com).
- Post-Registration Protection: Prevent users from changing their email address to blacklisted and/or non-existent MX hosts.
v5.0.3
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How User - MX Filter Works
- Spam Registrations: This plugin prevents fake or bad email domains from creating unnecessary accounts that cannot receive notifications or registration confirmation emails.
- Problematic Email Hosts: This plugin blocks registration from email hosts that are known to be unreliable, competitive, or otherwise undesirable. "Problematic" hosts can reject mail, be known spam sources, or be competitors.
Technical Details
The extension works by first checking that the domain has an MX record. Then it checks the domain against a blacklist. If the registration matches a blacklist entry, it is blocked. Partial domain matches are supported, allowing administrators to block entire domains and their subdomains with a single blacklist entry.
Built for Me - Given to You
As detailed in an article titled Microsoft Deliverability - SendGrid and Blacklists, I have issues sending email to Microsoft hosted domains. Though I've tried to purchase IP addresses to escape the MS blacklist, it seems like they have blacklisted every IP address except those assigned to themselves and Google (and probably the non-shared SendGrid IPs). In the article, you can see several examples of well known IT professionals lamenting the inescapable Microsoft blacklist. This plugin allows me to block based on MX rather than domain.
Are you ready to take control of user registrations and say goodbye to invalid or unreachable email addresses?
Download the Plugin
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is User - MX Filter, and what does it do?
User - MX Filter is a free Joomla extension that protects your site from unwanted user registrations. It filters registration attempts by validating the MX (Mail Exchange) record of the user’s email domain and blocking emails from blacklisted or problematic hosts. This ensures only legitimate users with valid email addresses can register, keeping your site secure and your database clean.
How does MX record validation work?
The plugin checks if the email domain used for registration has a valid MX record, which is required for receiving emails. If no MX record exists (e.g., a fake or non-functional domain), the registration is blocked, preventing spam accounts.
What is blacklist filtering, and how flexible is it?
Blacklist filtering allows you to block registrations from specific email hosts or domains listed in the plugin’s configurable blacklist. You can block entire domains (e.g., example.com) or partial domains, which also blocks subdomains (e.g., mail.example.com). This gives you precise control over which email hosts are allowed.
Can I block specific email providers, like Microsoft-hosted emails?
Yes! You can block specific email providers by adding their MX server to the blacklist. For example, to block all Microsoft-hosted emails, you can add the MX server olc.protection.outlook.com to the blacklist, preventing registrations from those domains.
Does User - MX Filter affect existing users?
Yes, the plugin includes post-registration protection. It prevents existing users from changing their email addresses to ones hosted on blacklisted domains or those without valid MX records, ensuring ongoing security.
Will this plugin slow down my Joomla site?
No, User - MX Filter is lightweight and designed to work efficiently without impacting your site’s performance. It performs quick MX record checks and blacklist comparisons during registration, keeping the process seamless.
How do I set up the blacklist in the plugin?
After installing and enabling the plugin, go to the Joomla admin panel, navigate to System > Manage > Plugins, and open the User - MX Filter settings. In the blacklist field, enter the fully qualified domain names (FQDNs) or partial domains you want to block. Save your settings, and the plugin will start filtering registrations accordingly.
Can I use this plugin to block spam registrations?
Absolutely! The plugin is specifically designed to block spam registrations by rejecting email addresses from domains without valid MX records or those hosted on known problematic or spam-prone email servers.
Is User - MX Filter compatible with Joomla 5?
Yes, User - MX Filter version 5.0.3 is fully compatible with Joomla 5, ensuring seamless integration with the latest Joomla platform.
Where can I download User - MX Filter, and is it really free?
You can download the latest version of User - MX Filter from richeyweb.com. It’s completely free, with no hidden costs, making it an accessible solution for Joomla site administrators looking to enhance security.
What happens if a legitimate user’s email provider is accidentally blacklisted?
If a legitimate user’s email provider is blocked, you can easily update the blacklist in the plugin settings to remove the specific MX server or domain. The plugin’s flexible configuration allows you to fine-tune the blacklist to avoid blocking valid users.
Does the plugin support subdomains in the blacklist?
Yes, the plugin supports partial domain matches. For example, adding example.com to the blacklist will block registrations from any subdomain, such as mail.example.com or sub.example.com, giving you broad control over problematic domains.
How can I get support if I have issues with the plugin?
For support, visit the documentation page at richeyweb.com or check the Contact - Valid Email section for additional resources. You can also reach out through the support channels provided on the richeyweb.com website.
Why was this plugin created?
The plugin was developed to address issues with problematic email hosts, such as those blacklisted by major providers like Microsoft. As detailed in the article Microsoft Deliverability - SendGrid and Blacklists, the developer faced challenges with email deliverability to certain hosts and created User - MX Filter to block registrations from unreliable or undesirable email servers, benefiting all Joomla users.
Can I use User - MX Filter alongside other security plugins?
Yes, User - MX Filter is designed to work seamlessly with other Joomla security plugins. It focuses specifically on email validation during registration, complementing other tools that protect against different types of threats.
