Jan 27, 2024 • Filed to: Take Data Backup • Proven solutions
Q: How to backup your cPanel accounts to Dropbox?
"Hello webmasters, I run a couple of websites using the same hosting provider. I know it's a good idea to backup cPanel accounts. But how can I do so? Is there any way to backup cPanel accounts to dropbox?"
If you own a website, it is paramount you back it up regularly, and this is something you can do yourself. You can find a backup function in most of the hosting control panels such as cPanel, Plesk, and DirectAdmin. It will help you backup the site as the domain owner or webmaster. You should rely entirely on web hosting providers because they do regular backups but mostly for disaster recovery purposes.
As we know, to store backup remotely, sometimes an FTP server will come in handy. Nevertheless, how do you automate your backup when the FTP server is down and access it anytime? Cloud storage, such as Dropbox, helps in this case. Although with some limitations, it is an excellent way to store files and is free of charge.
When you want to sync data in multiple virtual and physical locations, Dropbox is an excellent tool. It comes with more benefits, such as allowing you to set up your WHM server. You can set it up to sync your backups to your Dropbox account.
If you are a first time user, the first thing that you need to do is create a Dropbox account.
With the WebHost Manager (WHM), you have administrative control over your VPS or server. A hosting provider uses WHM to manage a customer's account.
To sync your files from CPanel account and Dropbox and to undertake cPanel backup to Dropbox, you must set this up first. You can do so using the below steps that can also be used with other storage locations.
Well, creating a cPanel account is the first thing that you need to do. You are at full liberty to choose your preferred domain and username, but in this case, we are using dropbox here.
Make sure that the Dropbox is not backed up in the user selection interface.
On the created cPanel user's account, install the Dropbox client via the SSH cPanel dropbox user. Do not use the root user. Next, you need to download 'tarball,' change into that directory and run the daemon.
With a few simple steps, improving software security should not be a challenge. Despite this, the subject is still considered to be complicated. With cPanel, a web hosting administration system, there are a few options you can use. Also, cPanel provides additional security applications and plugins.
The following ten tips give more insight on how you can take advantage of the security enhancement features of cPanel.
Change passwords as necessary — Passwords must be strong to protect the account against hacking. cPanel gives suggestions when you use the Password Generator tool. The default password configuration uses the same password and user ID for an FTP or User account. It should be avoided and prevented by defining different passwords.
In the 'Server Configuration,' you should enable SSL to access cPanel via 'Tweak Settings.' It will prevent snooping around the created password. It is crucial that the hacking of user-level accounts is prevented. Thus, to do so, user password strength should be configured, which will examine that users create strong passwords.
Whatever the probability of getting hacked is or the cPanel installation being attacked by a virus, you must work on improving security. A firewall application for cPanel servers will help, although there are other options.
ClamAV is an anti-virus plugin available for cPanel servers. It helps to install the Rootkit Hunter Software to detect malicious programs running in stealth mode (rootkit).
If you want to access the server running cPanel, you should use SSH (Secure Shell). Although it has a primary command-line interface, it is excellent in fixing, updating, and configuring. Most users know the SSH's default port number 22; thus, it should be redefined to a number such as 1967. Redefine it to a unique number to prevent intruders from gaining access.
Since version 2 of Secure Shell is more secure than version 1, you should modify the system configuration to use the former.
But how can you make these two SSH changes? Well, edit SSH daemon configuration file at /etc/ssh/sshd_config:. Here you need to replace the reference to Port 22 to Port 1967 (This should be any number of your choice) and Protocol 2.1 to Protocol 2.
There is a reason why you should use the latest version of cPanel. It helps you fix bugs and also improves the overall security. You can find an option that reads "Upgrade to Latest Version" somewhere on the homepage.
Moreover, the server will automatically be updated daily, which you can achieve by clicking on 'Server Configuration' then 'Update Preferences.'
Once this is set, if an IP address repeatedly tries to access the server unsuccessfully, it will automatically be blocked. The specific address is logged into the cPanel database. You probably tried this, but you forgot your password. So, after some time, the blocked IP address will be unblocked in the cPanel.
These are settings that you can make yourself. To do so, go to 'Security Center,' click 'CPHulk Brute-Force Protection,' and then click on 'Enable.' For a website managed with cPanel, you can specify a domain name or IP address that you want to block from accessing the site. The option 'IP Deny Manager will be handy.
You can disable any anonymous FTP in "FTP Server Configuration." You can find it below the "Service Configuration." Besides, you should also set "Allow Anonymous Logins" to "NO."
Hackers are smart, and they can upload content to access your account when your Anonymous FTP is open. To prevent this and enhance security, disable the Anonymous FTP, and specify SSL for access.
Checking on the nature of websites is as important as shaping and limiting access to cPanel managed sites and cPanel itself. If Google Safe Browsing or a similar tool identifies a potential domain threat, this gives your organization a bad reputation. That, in turn, affects its revenues and profitability.
To confirm whether any of the domain names linked to the site has been identified as potential threats, cPanel uses the "Site Security Check."
"EasyApache" is a utility in cPanel. Its work is to build and compile Apache server new versions and PHP scripting language. Using the latest versions enhances security. To prevent malicious PHP scripts from opening files elsewhere, you should contain them in their home directory. You can do it quickly by clicking on the 'Security Center,' in the PHP open_basedir Tweak command, check 'Enable PHP open_basedir Protection' and save.
There are more security options when you check on 'Server Configuration' and then 'Tweak Settings.' They are such as the use of security tokens to access cPanel. Besides, it also limits the risk from hackers since they cannot capture cPanel session cookies. The server is protected well against any e-mail or other form of attack.
Besides containing PHP scripts with open_basedir and ensuring passwords are strong, there are ways security can be enhanced. They are, such as; limiting the use of the SU command to become the root user, unspecified users' compiler access is disabled, and to prevent users' unlimited access to server resources, the; Shell Fork Bomb Protection' is defined.
cPanel gives more ways to enhance security. These options have instructions that you should read to understand the functions of the options and how useful they are. It is crucial if you are to run a secure and effective cPanel server.
As a website owner, it is critically important that you backup your site regardless of how reliable your cloud services are. While some site owners use cPanel to backup content manually, others opt for plugins. By using cloud storage such as Dropbox, you get to enjoy various solutions.
With the above steps, performing a cPanel backup to dropbox should not be a challenge. The steps are simple and straightforward; thus, you do not need to be an expert to perform it. By completing them, you will have successfully backed up your cPanel.
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Amy Dennis
staff Editor