> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.aikido.dev/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.aikido.dev/zen-firewall/zen-features/blocking-users-with-zen-firewall.md).

# Tracking Users with Zen Firewall

Zen Firewall by Aikido provides a way to identify and block users who are unwanted or trigger attacks, enhancing your app's security by preventing malicious activity.

### Use Cases <a href="#use-cases" id="use-cases"></a>

* 🔍 **Monitoring active users:** Track user activity to identify and respond to potential threats.
* 🛡️ **Block Malicious Users**: Prevent access from users who have triggered security events

### How to Identify Users <a href="#how-to-identify-and-block-users" id="how-to-identify-and-block-users"></a>

**Step 1:** Configure the Aikido middleware using the provided installation instructions.

{% content-ref url="/pages/XPYb4z9jJ7YgjpJ9DBmC" %}
[Installing Zen Firewall](/zen-firewall/zen-installation-instructions.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

**Step 2:** Use the `setUser` function to specify the current user in your application's context.

Once set, Aikido will display all active users in the dashboard.

![User management dashboard showing user status and last activity for a demo app.](/files/Xf3NyOFxNPhydLI4Rqdy)

**Step 2:** Identify which user to block and open the Action menu by clicking the triple dots.

![User management table showing "Active" status with a menu option to block a user.](/files/URHMnh4sBMm3CsdGM1Js)

{% hint style="info" %}
Note that user blocking is not immediate; it takes up to a minute for the block to take effect.
{% endhint %}

## Features <a href="#privacy--gdpr" id="privacy--gdpr"></a>

<figure><img src="/files/tetn9J1jSZq3ZdYUzvuA" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Block a User

You can permanently block a user from accessing your application by clicking on the actions menu of a User and using the "Block User" action.

### Remove Rate Limiting

Disable Rate limiting for a specific user by clicking on the actions menu of a User and using the "Disable Rate Limiting" action. This will disable **ALL** rate limits for this specific user.

## Privacy & GDPR <a href="#privacy--gdpr" id="privacy--gdpr"></a>

Passing the user's name is optional, but it can help you identify the user in the dashboard. You will be required to list Aikido Security as a subprocessor if you choose to share personal identifiable information (PII).


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