Strengthen user account security on your Joomla site with the "User - Static Name" extension, designed to prevent changes to a user's proper name for specific groups. This simple yet effective tool ensures stability and control in environments where maintaining accurate contact information is crucial.
How It Works
Setting up User - Static Name is straightforward: enable the plugin and select the user groups you wish to restrict from modifying their names. Once configured, users within those groups won't see an editable name field when editing their profiles, ensuring that changes cannot be made directly through form data—even for users attempting workarounds. In this latest version, the proper name field now displays as read-only on the profile edit screen, offering transparency while maintaining control.
v5.1.0
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Why Choose User - Static Name?
User - Static Name is about security and simplicity:
- Enhanced Security: Proper names are essential for account recovery and communication. Locking these names for specific user groups (e.g., administrators, high-privilege users) reduces the risk of unauthorized access or impersonation attempts, safeguarding your site's integrity.
- Consistency and Accountability: In organizations or private intranets, maintaining consistent contact information is vital for tracking users and ensuring reliable communication. Restricting name changes prevents accidental or intentional updates that could disrupt workflows or lead to lost communications.
- Compliance with Policies: Many organizations require stable user identity information for policy adherence and legal compliance (e.g., GDPR, CCPA). Ensure compliance by preventing unauthorized changes, supporting internal governance or data protection regulations.
- Preventing Abuse or Confusion: On public or semi-public Joomla sites, allowing unrestricted name changes could lead to confusion (e.g., users updating names to impersonate). Restricting changes for specific groups helps maintain order and trust for sensitive accounts.
- Simplified Administration: For sites with large user bases, managing name changes manually can be time-consuming. User - Static Name automates restrictions, reducing administrative overhead and minimizing errors, especially for support teams or IT departments overseeing multiple accounts.
Features
- Group-Based Restrictions: Prevent name changes for specific user groups with easy configuration.
- Read-Only Option: Display name fields as read-only on profile edits (new feature), balancing transparency and control.
- Seamless Integration: Prevents form data manipulation, ensuring robust security within Joomla’s framework.
- Community-Inspired: Enhanced based on user feedback, embodying a passion for free, open tools.
The User - Static Name extension is an invaluable tool for Joomla sites where proper name integrity is paramount. Use it responsibly to balance user convenience with robust protection.
By using inspiration from the previously successful "User - Static Email" and "User - Static Password" extensions, this new addition maintains the same commitment to simplicity, security, and community-driven solutions. Joomla admins can safeguard their sites against unauthorized changes while maintaining a user-friendly experience.
Special thanks to Pepe Napaka for encouraging me to amend my Static profile plugins to include this feature.
Download the Plugin
Frequently Asked Questions:
What does the User - Static Name plugin do?
The User - Static Name plugin prevents users in selected Joomla user groups from modifying their proper names, ensuring consistent and secure contact information. It displays the name field as read-only or hides it entirely, based on your configuration.
Who should use this plugin?
This plugin is ideal for Joomla site administrators managing organizations, private intranets, or public sites where maintaining stable user names is critical for security, compliance, or operational consistency.
How do I configure the plugin?
After installing and enabling the plugin, go to its settings in the Joomla administrator area. Select the user groups you want to restrict from changing names and choose whether to hide the name field or display it as read-only.
Can users bypass the name change restriction?
No. The plugin prevents name changes by disabling form data manipulation for restricted groups, ensuring robust security within Joomla’s framework.
What’s the difference between hiding the name field and making it read-only?
Hiding the name field removes it from the profile edit screen entirely, while the read-only option displays the name but prevents editing. The read-only setting (new in v5.1.0) offers transparency while maintaining control.
Does this plugin help with GDPR or CCPA compliance?
Yes, by preventing unauthorized name changes, the plugin supports compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR and CCPA, which often require stable and accurate user identity information.
Is this plugin compatible with Joomla 5?
Yes, User - Static Name v5.1.0 is fully compatible with Joomla 5, ensuring seamless integration with the latest Joomla framework.
Can I use this plugin alongside User - Static Email or User - Static Password?
Absolutely. The plugin is designed to complement other static profile plugins like User - Static Email and User - Static Password, providing a cohesive approach to securing user profile data.
What happens if a restricted user tries to change their name?
Users in restricted groups will either see the name field as read-only or not see it at all, depending on your settings, and any attempt to modify the name via form data will be blocked.
Where can I get support or report issues?
Visit richeyweb.com for documentation, support, or to report issues. You can also check the Joomla Extensions Directory (JED) page for User - Static Name for additional resources.
