Secure Your Server With SSH Access

These measures 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. At command prompt type: vi /etc/ssh/sshd_config Scroll down to the section of the file that looks like this: Port 22 Protocol 2, 1 ListenAddress 0.0.0.0 ListenAddress :: Uncomment and change Port 22 to look like 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 custome nameserver 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. Now restart SSH At command prompt type: /etc/rc.d/init.d/sshd restart Exit out of SSH, and then re-login to SSH using the new IP or nameserver, and the new port. 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: vi /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: echo ‘ALERT – Root Shell Access on:’ date who | mail -s “Alert: Root Access from who | awk '{print $6}'” [email protected] Save and exit. Set an SSH Legal Message To an SSH legal message, SSH into server and login as root. At command prompt type: vi /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… Disable Shell Accounts Disable identification output for Apache To disable the version output for proftp, SSH into server and login as root. At command prompt type: vi /etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf Scroll (way) down and change the following line to ServerSignature Off Restart Apache At command prompt type: /etc/rc.d/init.d/httpd restart