A Beginner's Guide to Securing Your Server Part 1 of 3 (Security Inside WHM/CPanel)
These are items inside of WHM/Cpanel that should be changed to secure your server.
Goto Server Setup =>> Tweak Settings
Check the following items...
Under Domains
Prevent users from parking/adding on common internet domains. (ie hotmail.com, aol.com)
Under Mail
Attempt to prevent pop3 connection floods
Default catch-all/default address behavior for new accounts - blackhole
Under System
Use jailshell as the default shell for all new accounts and modified accounts
Goto Server Setup =>> [/B]Tweak Security[/B]
Enable php open_basedir Protection
Enable mod_userdir Protection
Disabled Compilers for unprivileged users.
Goto Server Setup =>> Manage Wheel Group Users
Remove all users except for root and your main account from the wheel group.
Goto Server Setup =>> Shell Fork Bomb Protection
Enable Shell Fork Bomb/Memory Protection
When setting up Feature Limits for resellers in Resellers =>> Reseller Center, under Privileges always disable Allow Creation of Packages with Shell Access and enable Never allow creation of accounts with shell access; under Root Access disable All Features.
Goto Service Configuration =>> FTP Configuration
Disable Anonymous FTP
Goto Account Functions =>> Manage Shell Access
Disable Shell Access for all users (except yourself)
Goto Mysql =>> MySQL Root Password
Change root password for MySQL
A Beginner's Guide to Securing Your Server Part 2 of 3 (with SSH access)
These are measures that can be taken to secure your server, with SSH access.
Udate OS, Apache and CPanel to the latest stable versions. This can be done from WHM/CPanel.
Restrict SSH Access
To restrict and secure SSH access, bind sshd to a single IP that is
different than the main IP to the server, and on a different port than
port 22.
SSH into server and login as root.
Note: You can download Putty by Clicking Here. It's a clean running application that will not require installation on Windows-boxes.
At command prompt type: pico /etc/ssh/sshd_config
Scroll down to the section of the file that looks like this:
Port 5678 (choose your own 4 to 5 digit port number (49151 is the highest port number)
Uncomment and change
#Protocol 2, 1
to look like
Protocol 2
Uncomment and change
#ListenAddress 0.0.0.0
to look like
ListenAddress 123.123.123.15 (use one of your own IP Addresses that has been assigned to your server)
Note 1: If you would like to disable direct Root Login, scroll down until you find
#PermitRootLogin yes
and uncomment it and make it look like
PermitRootLogin no
Save by pressing Ctrl o on your keyboard, and then exit by pressing Ctrl x on your keyboard.
Note 2: You can also create a customenameserver specifically for
your new SSH IP address. Just create one called something like
ssh.xyz.com or whatever. Be sure to add an A address to your zone file
for the new nameserver.
Once done, run:
/etc/init.d/sshd restart
Now start a new SSH session (don’t close your existing one), to make sure that you can get in.
The new port must be opened in the firewall e.g CSF Firewall
Note: If you
should have any problems, just Telnet into your server, fix the
problem, then SSH in again. Telnet is a very unsecure protocol, so
change your root password after you use it.
Disable Telnet
To disable telnet, SSH into server and login as root.
At command prompt type: pico -w /etc/xinetd.d/telnet
change disable = no to disable = yes
Save and Exit
At command prompt type: /etc/init.d/xinetd restart
Server e-mail everytime someone logs in as root
To have the server e-mail you everytime someone logs in as root, SSH into server and login as root.
At command prompt type: pico .bash_profile
Scroll down to the end of the file and add the following line:
To an SSH legal message, SSH into server and login as root.
At command prompt type: pico /etc/motd
Enter your message, save and exit.
Note: I use the following message...
-------------------------------------------
ALERT! You are entering a secured area! Your IP and login information
have been recorded. System administration has been notified.
This system is restricted to authorized access only. All activities on
this system are recorded and logged. Unauthorized access will be fully
investigated and reported to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.
-------------------------------------------
Now everytime someone logs in as root, they will see this message... go ahead a try it.
Disable Shell Accounts
To disable any shell accounts hosted on your server SSH into server and login as root.
