ModSecurity is a robust open-source web application firewall (WAF) designed to detect and prevent attacks on websites by monitoring and filtering HTTP traffic.

It acts as a layer of defense, helping to guard against security threats such as SQL injections, cross-site scripting (XSS), and other common vulnerabilities in web applications. By blocking or logging malicious requests, ModSecurity enhances your website’s security and helps protect your server from being compromised.

In cPanel, ModSecurity can be easily configured to meet the security needs of your site. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to configure it:

Step-1 Log in to cPanel

Start by accessing your cPanel account.

Step-2 Locate ModSecurity

In the Security section, find and click on the ModSecurity icon. This will bring up the ModSecurity configuration panel.

Step-3 Enable Or Disable ModSecurity

ModSecurity can be enabled or disabled for individual domains on your account. Choose the domain(s) you want to configure. By default, enabling ModSecurity offers a baseline level of protection.

Step-4 Configure Rules

Many cPanel providers allow you to configure specific security rules for ModSecurity, either by uploading custom rule sets or by using pre-configured rules. If you have the option to edit or add rules, you can tailor ModSecurity’s responses to match your security needs, increasing or decreasing the sensitivity as needed.

Step-5 Test Your Configuration

Once ModSecurity is configured, it’s essential to test your website for functionality. Sometimes, ModSecurity rules can be too strict, inadvertently blocking legitimate traffic. Check your site thoroughly to ensure that all pages load correctly and that no critical functions are affected.

You may also ModSecurity logs, they can provide insights into blocked requests and potential threats. Regularly reviewing these logs will help you understand the types of attacks your site is facing, allowing you to adjust rules or security levels if necessary.

By configuring ModSecurity through cPanel, you’re adding an essential layer of security to your website, protecting it from many of the most common web-based attacks.