at all, in which case only Unix-domain sockets can be used to connect
to it.
The default value is <systemitem class="systemname">localhost</>,
- which allows only local <quote>loopback</> connections to be made.
- This parameter can only be set at server start.
+ which allows only local <quote>loopback</> connections to be
+ made. While client authentication (<xref
+ linkend="client-authentication">) allows fine-grained control
+ over who can access the server, <varname>listen_addresses</varname>
+ controls which interfaces accept connection attempts, which
+ can help prevent repeated malicious connection requests on
+ insecure network interfaces. This parameter can only be set
+ at server start.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>