Since our forums get hacked on a regular basis, it would be really great to see another layer of protection implemented in the next version of IPB. If one could set a range of IP addresses that can access the Admin Control Panel, a hacker's job would become much harder. :) I believe such a feature is really needed.

You can already do this using a fairly simple .htaccess file in your forums directory:

<Files admin.php>
order deny,allow
deny from all
allow from 123.456.789.10
allow from 123.456.789.11
</Files>

There is also a modification at Invisionize (IZE) under 2.1.x mods that does 'this'.

You can already do this using a fairly simple .htaccess file in your forums directory:

<Files admin.php>
order deny,allow
deny from all
allow from 123.456.789.10
allow from 123.456.789.11
</Files>

Can I use the * wildcard while defining the allowed addresses?

If you use:

<Files admin.php>
order deny,allow
deny from all
allow from 123.456
</Files>

It'll allow 123.456.*.* You can also do it using a hostname if you wish:

<Files admin.php>
order deny,allow
deny from all
allow from blueyonder.co.uk
</Files>

Will allow anyone using Blueyonder as their ISP access.

Won't the .htaccess file slow down access to my board?

Using the hostname lookup probably would a bit - but it'd only be when accessing your Admin CP - not the public facing side of the board.

This is a good suggestion, I think there should be an option to do that!

Anything to keep the hackers out of your forum.....whatever means necessary beside killing your own forum..