diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 3254109..d63c46a 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -164,3 +164,49 @@ sudo -u mailman /usr/local/sbin/hyperkitty-archive-cleanup --dry-run
 The monthly HyperKitty job already configured by this role removes stale
 entries from the full-text search index. Therefore the weekly cleanup does not
 run an additional, expensive full index scan.
+
+## Web signup storm protection
+
+The optional nginx configuration limits only `POST /accounts/signup/`; all
+other Postorius, HyperKitty and API requests use an empty nginx limit key and
+are not counted. Both a per-client-IP zone and a site-wide zone are used, since
+distributed signup storms can evade a per-IP limit:
+
+```yaml
+mailman_enable_signup_rate_limit: true
+mailman_signup_rate_limit_per_ip_rate: '1r/m'
+mailman_signup_rate_limit_per_ip_burst: 2
+mailman_signup_rate_limit_global_rate: '5r/m'
+mailman_signup_rate_limit_global_burst: 10
+mailman_signup_rate_limit_dry_run: true
+```
+
+Dry-run mode requires nginx 1.17.1 or newer. It logs requests that would have
+been limited at `notice` level but does not reject them. Review those logs
+before setting `mailman_signup_rate_limit_dry_run` to `false`; enforced requests
+receive HTTP 429. The nginx configuration is validated before it is reloaded.
+
+## Expired unverified web-account cleanup
+
+The optional timer removes abandoned django-allauth registrations. An account
+is eligible only when it is older than the configured age, has never logged in,
+is neither staff nor superuser, belongs to no group, has no social account, has
+at least one unverified address but no verified address, and has no confirmation
+mail newer than the cutoff:
+
+```yaml
+mailman_enable_unverified_account_cleanup: true
+mailman_unverified_account_cleanup_on_calendar: 'Sun *-*-* 03:30:00'
+mailman_unverified_account_cleanup_min_age_days: 7
+mailman_unverified_account_cleanup_max_deletions: 50
+```
+
+The script repeats all eligibility tests while holding database locks and
+deletes the complete batch in one transaction. If the candidate count exceeds
+the safety limit, it deletes nothing; it never removes only the first N users.
+The timer is not persistent, so a missed run is not started after boot. Preview
+the candidates before the first execution with:
+
+```bash
+sudo -u mailman /usr/local/sbin/mailman-unverified-account-cleanup --dry-run
+```
diff --git a/defaults/main.yml b/defaults/main.yml
index 41594d1..9523bff 100644
--- a/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/defaults/main.yml
@@ -73,6 +73,28 @@ mailman_hyperkitty_archiver_reconciliation_interval: '15min'
 mailman_hyperkitty_archiver_reconciliation_script: '/usr/local/sbin/mailman-hyperkitty-archiver-reconcile'
 mailman_hyperkitty_archiver_reconciliation_lock: '{{ mailman_lock_dir }}/mailman-hyperkitty-archiver-reconcile.lock'
 
+# Protect the django-allauth signup endpoint without limiting normal Postorius
+# or HyperKitty traffic. The generated nginx configuration is opt-in and starts
+# in observation-only mode by default.
+mailman_enable_signup_rate_limit: false
+mailman_signup_rate_limit_config_file: '/etc/nginx/conf.d/00-mailman-signup-rate-limit.conf'
+mailman_signup_rate_limit_per_ip_rate: '1r/m'
+mailman_signup_rate_limit_per_ip_burst: 2
+mailman_signup_rate_limit_global_rate: '5r/m'
+mailman_signup_rate_limit_global_burst: 10
+mailman_signup_rate_limit_status: 429
+mailman_signup_rate_limit_dry_run: true
+
+# Remove old django-allauth accounts that have never been verified or used.
+# Deletion is fail-closed: a batch larger than max_deletions is not partially
+# processed, and the whole deletion runs in one database transaction.
+mailman_enable_unverified_account_cleanup: false
+mailman_unverified_account_cleanup_on_calendar: 'Sun *-*-* 03:30:00'
+mailman_unverified_account_cleanup_min_age_days: 7
+mailman_unverified_account_cleanup_max_deletions: 50
+mailman_unverified_account_cleanup_script: '/usr/local/sbin/mailman-unverified-account-cleanup'
+mailman_unverified_account_cleanup_lock: '{{ mailman_lock_dir }}/mailman-unverified-account-cleanup.lock'
+
 # Documentation that must be followed to configure the social auth providers
 # https://django-allauth.readthedocs.io/en/latest/installation.html
 mailman_use_social_account_providers: False
diff --git a/handlers/main.yml b/handlers/main.yml
index 61b3596..7125ba6 100644
--- a/handlers/main.yml
+++ b/handlers/main.yml
@@ -17,3 +17,14 @@
     sleep: 1
     timeout: '{{ mailman_weekly_verified_restart_start_timeout }}'
   listen: Restart mailman
+
+- name: Validate nginx configuration after Mailman signup rate-limit change
+  ansible.builtin.command: /usr/sbin/nginx -t
+  changed_when: false
+  listen: Reload nginx after Mailman signup rate-limit change
+
+- name: Reload nginx after Mailman signup rate-limit change
+  ansible.builtin.service:
+    name: nginx
+    state: reloaded
+  listen: Reload nginx after Mailman signup rate-limit change
diff --git a/tasks/postorius-hyperkitty.yml b/tasks/postorius-hyperkitty.yml
index 983b77c..9daa545 100644
--- a/tasks/postorius-hyperkitty.yml
+++ b/tasks/postorius-hyperkitty.yml
@@ -196,6 +196,84 @@
         not ansible_check_mode or
         mailman_hyperkitty_archiver_reconciliation_timer_before.stat.exists
 
+- name: Configure protection for the Mailman web signup endpoint
+  tags:
+    - mailman
+    - postorius
+    - mailman_conf
+    - mailman_signup_rate_limit
+  block:
+    - name: Install the Mailman signup nginx rate-limit configuration
+      ansible.builtin.template:
+        src: mailman-signup-rate-limit.nginx.conf.j2
+        dest: '{{ mailman_signup_rate_limit_config_file }}'
+        owner: root
+        group: root
+        mode: '0644'
+      when: mailman_enable_signup_rate_limit | bool
+      notify: Reload nginx after Mailman signup rate-limit change
+
+    - name: Remove the Mailman signup nginx rate-limit configuration
+      ansible.builtin.file:
+        path: '{{ mailman_signup_rate_limit_config_file }}'
+        state: absent
+      when: not mailman_enable_signup_rate_limit | bool
+      notify: Reload nginx after Mailman signup rate-limit change
+
+- name: Configure automatic cleanup of expired unverified web accounts
+  tags:
+    - mailman
+    - postorius
+    - mailman_conf
+    - mailman_unverified_account_cleanup
+  block:
+    - name: Check whether the unverified-account cleanup timer already exists
+      ansible.builtin.stat:
+        path: /etc/systemd/system/mailman-unverified-account-cleanup.timer
+      register: mailman_unverified_account_cleanup_timer_before
+
+    - name: Install the unverified-account cleanup script
+      ansible.builtin.template:
+        src: mailman-unverified-account-cleanup.py.j2
+        dest: '{{ mailman_unverified_account_cleanup_script }}'
+        owner: root
+        group: '{{ mailman_user }}'
+        mode: '0750'
+
+    - name: Install the unverified-account cleanup service
+      ansible.builtin.template:
+        src: mailman-unverified-account-cleanup.service.systemd.j2
+        dest: /etc/systemd/system/mailman-unverified-account-cleanup.service
+        owner: root
+        group: root
+        mode: '0644'
+      register: mailman_unverified_account_cleanup_service_install
+
+    - name: Install the unverified-account cleanup timer
+      ansible.builtin.template:
+        src: mailman-unverified-account-cleanup.timer.systemd.j2
+        dest: /etc/systemd/system/mailman-unverified-account-cleanup.timer
+        owner: root
+        group: root
+        mode: '0644'
+      register: mailman_unverified_account_cleanup_timer_install
+
+    - name: Reload systemd after installing the account cleanup units
+      ansible.builtin.systemd:
+        daemon_reload: true
+      when: >-
+        mailman_unverified_account_cleanup_service_install is changed or
+        mailman_unverified_account_cleanup_timer_install is changed
+
+    - name: Set the unverified-account cleanup timer state
+      ansible.builtin.systemd:
+        name: mailman-unverified-account-cleanup.timer
+        state: "{{ mailman_enable_unverified_account_cleanup | bool | ternary('started', 'stopped') }}"
+        enabled: '{{ mailman_enable_unverified_account_cleanup | bool }}'
+      when: >-
+        not ansible_check_mode or
+        mailman_unverified_account_cleanup_timer_before.stat.exists
+
 - name: Setup the postorius cron jobs
   block:
     - name: add a cron job that syncs the mailman core and postorius settings
diff --git a/templates/mailman-signup-rate-limit.nginx.conf.j2 b/templates/mailman-signup-rate-limit.nginx.conf.j2
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..165039f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/mailman-signup-rate-limit.nginx.conf.j2
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+# Managed by Ansible. Limit only attempts to submit the allauth
+# signup form; an empty key means every other request bypasses the zones.
+map "$request_method:$uri" $mailman_signup_ip_key {
+    default "";
+    "POST:/accounts/signup/" $binary_remote_addr;
+}
+
+map "$request_method:$uri" $mailman_signup_global_key {
+    default "";
+    "POST:/accounts/signup/" "mailman-signup";
+}
+
+limit_req_zone $mailman_signup_ip_key zone=mailman_signup_ip:1m rate={{ mailman_signup_rate_limit_per_ip_rate }};
+limit_req_zone $mailman_signup_global_key zone=mailman_signup_global:1m rate={{ mailman_signup_rate_limit_global_rate }};
+
+limit_req zone=mailman_signup_ip burst={{ mailman_signup_rate_limit_per_ip_burst | int }} nodelay;
+limit_req zone=mailman_signup_global burst={{ mailman_signup_rate_limit_global_burst | int }} nodelay;
+limit_req_status {{ mailman_signup_rate_limit_status | int }};
+limit_req_log_level notice;
+{% if mailman_signup_rate_limit_dry_run | bool %}
+limit_req_dry_run on;
+{% endif %}
diff --git a/templates/mailman-unverified-account-cleanup.py.j2 b/templates/mailman-unverified-account-cleanup.py.j2
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a4b247c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/mailman-unverified-account-cleanup.py.j2
@@ -0,0 +1,157 @@
+#!{{ mailman_bindir }}/python3
+
+"""Remove expired, unused and unverified django-allauth accounts."""
+
+import argparse
+from datetime import timedelta
+import fcntl
+import logging
+import os
+import sys
+
+
+PROJECT_DIR = {{ mailman_postorius_dir | to_json }}
+LOCK_FILE = {{ mailman_unverified_account_cleanup_lock | to_json }}
+MIN_AGE_DAYS = {{ mailman_unverified_account_cleanup_min_age_days | int }}
+MAX_DELETIONS = {{ mailman_unverified_account_cleanup_max_deletions | int }}
+
+
+logging.basicConfig(
+    level=logging.INFO,
+    format='mailman-unverified-account-cleanup: %(levelname)s: %(message)s')
+LOG = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+def eligible_users(User, EmailAddress, EmailConfirmation, SocialAccount, cutoff):
+    """Build a conservative query that can also be repeated before deletion."""
+    from django.db.models import Exists, OuterRef
+
+    verified_addresses = EmailAddress.objects.filter(
+        user_id=OuterRef('pk'), verified=True)
+    unverified_addresses = EmailAddress.objects.filter(
+        user_id=OuterRef('pk'), verified=False)
+    recent_confirmations = EmailConfirmation.objects.filter(
+        email_address__user_id=OuterRef('pk'), sent__gte=cutoff)
+    social_accounts = SocialAccount.objects.filter(user_id=OuterRef('pk'))
+    group_memberships = User.groups.through.objects.filter(user_id=OuterRef('pk'))
+
+    return User.objects.annotate(
+        has_verified_address=Exists(verified_addresses),
+        has_unverified_address=Exists(unverified_addresses),
+        has_recent_confirmation=Exists(recent_confirmations),
+        has_social_account=Exists(social_accounts),
+        has_group=Exists(group_memberships),
+    ).filter(
+        date_joined__lt=cutoff,
+        last_login__isnull=True,
+        is_staff=False,
+        is_superuser=False,
+        has_verified_address=False,
+        has_unverified_address=True,
+        has_recent_confirmation=False,
+        has_social_account=False,
+        has_group=False,
+    )
+
+
+def describe(users, prefix):
+    for user_id, username, date_joined in users:
+        LOG.info(
+            '%s user_id=%s username=%r date_joined=%s',
+            prefix, user_id, username, date_joined.isoformat())
+
+
+def main():
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description=__doc__)
+    parser.add_argument(
+        '--dry-run', action='store_true',
+        help='report candidates without deleting accounts')
+    arguments = parser.parse_args()
+
+    if MIN_AGE_DAYS < 1:
+        LOG.error('minimum account age must be at least one day')
+        return 1
+    if MAX_DELETIONS < 1:
+        LOG.error('maximum deletions must be at least one')
+        return 1
+
+    os.chdir(PROJECT_DIR)
+    sys.path.insert(0, PROJECT_DIR)
+    os.environ.setdefault('DJANGO_SETTINGS_MODULE', 'settings')
+
+    import django
+    django.setup()
+
+    from allauth.account.models import EmailAddress, EmailConfirmation
+    from allauth.socialaccount.models import SocialAccount
+    from django.contrib.auth import get_user_model
+    from django.db import transaction
+    from django.utils import timezone
+
+    User = get_user_model()
+    cutoff = timezone.now() - timedelta(days=MIN_AGE_DAYS)
+
+    try:
+        with open(LOCK_FILE, 'w') as lock_handle:
+            try:
+                fcntl.flock(lock_handle, fcntl.LOCK_EX | fcntl.LOCK_NB)
+            except OSError:
+                LOG.error('another cleanup process holds %s', LOCK_FILE)
+                return 1
+
+            candidates = list(
+                eligible_users(
+                    User, EmailAddress, EmailConfirmation, SocialAccount, cutoff)
+                .order_by('date_joined', 'pk')
+                .values_list('pk', 'username', 'date_joined'))
+
+            if arguments.dry_run:
+                describe(candidates, 'would delete')
+                if len(candidates) > MAX_DELETIONS:
+                    LOG.warning(
+                        'a real run would refuse all %d candidates; safety limit is %d',
+                        len(candidates), MAX_DELETIONS)
+                LOG.info('%d candidates, 0 deleted', len(candidates))
+                return 0
+
+            if len(candidates) > MAX_DELETIONS:
+                LOG.error(
+                    'refusing to delete any of %d accounts; safety limit is %d',
+                    len(candidates), MAX_DELETIONS)
+                return 1
+
+            candidate_ids = [candidate[0] for candidate in candidates]
+            if not candidate_ids:
+                LOG.info('0 candidates, 0 deleted')
+                return 0
+
+            with transaction.atomic():
+                # Lock the candidate users, then repeat every eligibility test.
+                # Any deletion error rolls back the complete batch.
+                locked_ids = list(
+                    User.objects.select_for_update()
+                    .filter(pk__in=candidate_ids)
+                    .values_list('pk', flat=True))
+                confirmed = list(
+                    eligible_users(
+                        User, EmailAddress, EmailConfirmation, SocialAccount, cutoff)
+                    .filter(pk__in=locked_ids)
+                    .order_by('date_joined', 'pk')
+                    .values_list('pk', 'username', 'date_joined'))
+                confirmed_ids = [candidate[0] for candidate in confirmed]
+                if len(confirmed_ids) != len(candidate_ids):
+                    LOG.warning(
+                        '%d accounts changed during the recheck and will be preserved',
+                        len(candidate_ids) - len(confirmed_ids))
+                User.objects.filter(pk__in=confirmed_ids).delete()
+
+            describe(confirmed, 'deleted')
+            LOG.info('%d candidates, %d deleted', len(candidates), len(confirmed))
+            return 0
+    except OSError as error:
+        LOG.error('cannot use cleanup lock %s: %s', LOCK_FILE, error)
+        return 1
+
+
+if __name__ == '__main__':
+    sys.exit(main())
diff --git a/templates/mailman-unverified-account-cleanup.service.systemd.j2 b/templates/mailman-unverified-account-cleanup.service.systemd.j2
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..691bd86
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/mailman-unverified-account-cleanup.service.systemd.j2
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+[Unit]
+Description=Remove expired unverified Mailman web accounts
+After=postgresql.service
+ConditionPathExists={{ mailman_postorius_dir }}/settings.py
+
+[Service]
+Type=oneshot
+User={{ mailman_user }}
+Group={{ mailman_user }}
+WorkingDirectory={{ mailman_postorius_dir }}
+ExecStart={{ mailman_unverified_account_cleanup_script }}
+TimeoutStartSec=1h
+Nice=10
+IOSchedulingClass=idle
diff --git a/templates/mailman-unverified-account-cleanup.timer.systemd.j2 b/templates/mailman-unverified-account-cleanup.timer.systemd.j2
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5fa6394
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/mailman-unverified-account-cleanup.timer.systemd.j2
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+[Unit]
+Description=Weekly cleanup of expired unverified Mailman web accounts
+
+[Timer]
+OnCalendar={{ mailman_unverified_account_cleanup_on_calendar }}
+AccuracySec=5min
+Persistent=false
+Unit=mailman-unverified-account-cleanup.service
+
+[Install]
+WantedBy=timers.target