Training modules/Dealing with online harassment/slides/blocking-users

Immediate action: Blocking users
Once you have been made aware of obvious harassment or threats, there are actions you may take immediately that don't require in-depth investigation. You might already be familiar with these actions, as they are fairly commonly used by local administrators or users with advanced rights.

If you are experienced with using the block tool, feel free to skip this section.

The block is one of the central tools available to administrators and those with advanced permissions. It prevents a registered user account from editing and an unregistered user from editing from a specific IP address. Blocking policies are project-specific. More information on performing blocks, and when they're appropriate, should be available in local policy. Block summaries should be neutral and avoid expressing frustration or retaliation against the person blocked as this may encourage them to continue.

Range blocks
Range blocks, where a group or "range" of IPs are blocked, can be a powerful weapon against users moving through multiple IP addresses. However, it is also a solution with a lot of potential collateral damage. Consider consulting a fellow administrator with experience in these kinds of blocks before applying a range block for the first time, and make sure you are aware of and respect local policies about their use.