Building and Securing Web Servers

Web sites run on servers that must be reliable, fast, and safe. This guide covers practical steps to build a solid starting point and keep it protected. The focus is on common Linux deployments, but the ideas apply broadly.

Start with a solid base

Choose a respected web server such as Nginx or Apache, and install the latest stable release. Keep the operating system minimal and up to date. Enable automatic security updates and disable unused services to reduce the attack surface. Use a non-root admin workflow and separate user permissions for deployment.

Secure network access

A firewall is essential. With Ubuntu, run a few simple steps: enable the firewall, allow only needed ports (80/443 for web, 22 for SSH from trusted IPs). For SSH, use key-based logins, disable password access, and consider a non-default port. Install a tool like fail2ban to block repeated failures, and monitor login attempts.

TLS and encryption

Every public site should use TLS. Get certificates from Let’s Encrypt and renew them automatically. Redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS and enable modern protocols (TLS 1.2 or higher). If you can, enable HTTP/2 or HTTP/3 for better performance, and configure strong cipher suites.

Web server hardening

Hide server version, turn off directory listing, and set safe defaults. Limit request size and apply rate limits. Add security headers such as Content-Security-Policy, X-Content-Type-Options, and X-Frame-Options. Place sensitive files outside the web root and keep backup copies of configs.

Monitoring, backups, and recovery

Keep detailed logs and monitor for unusual activity. Regular backups of configurations and data are essential, with a tested restore plan. Use automated alerts for failures, and rehearse a recovery drill so you can act quickly if something goes wrong.

Example workflow

Install: sudo apt update && sudo apt install nginx. Get certs: sudo certbot –nginx. Harden: edit the config to add headers and limits, then reload the server with sudo systemctl reload nginx.

Key Takeaways

  • Build a layered defense: base OS hardening, network controls, and TLS all work together.
  • Automate maintenance: updates, cert renewals, and monitoring should run with minimal manual steps.
  • Prepare for recovery: regular backups and practiced recovery reduce downtime and risk.