Step-by-Step Guide to Configuring Imunify360 on cPanel Servers

Step-by-Step Guide to Configuring Imunify360 on cPanel Servers

Meta Description: Learn how to configure Imunify360 on cPanel servers. Explore its malware detection and cleanup capabilities to enhance your server’s security and protect against cyber threats.

Introduction

In the fast-evolving world of web hosting, malware and security threats are ever-present. Hosting providers need robust solutions to detect, prevent, and clean malware in real time while maintaining server performance and stability. Imunify360, a powerful AI-driven security solution for Linux servers, offers unparalleled protection by combining malware detection, proactive defense, and automated cleanup capabilities.

In this blog, we’ll provide a step-by-step guide to configuring Imunify360 on cPanel servers and explore how its malware detection and cleanup features help hosting providers secure their servers and websites.

What is Imunify360?

Imunify360 is a comprehensive security solution tailored for web servers. Designed to protect against a wide range of threats, including malware, brute force attacks, and DDoS attacks, it uses artificial intelligence and real-time threat intelligence to detect and prevent malicious activity.

Its standout features include:

1. Automated Malware Detection and Cleanup: Identifies and removes malicious files without manual intervention.
2. Proactive Defense: Stops malicious scripts from running in real time.
3. Web Application Firewall (WAF): Protects against common vulnerabilities like SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS).
4. Real-Time Blacklisting: Blocks IPs involved in malicious activity using a global blacklist.
5. Customizable Notifications: Alerts admins and users about detected threats.

Why Use Imunify360 on cPanel Servers?

When paired with cPanel, Imunify360 offers hosting providers:

• Ease of Integration: Imunify360 integrates seamlessly with cPanel/WHM, making installation and management simple.
• Centralized Security Management: View all security events, malware scans, and firewall rules from a single dashboard.
• Improved User Experience: Users can access Imunify360’s features (e.g., malware cleanup and backups) directly from their cPanel accounts.

Step-by-Step Guide to Configuring Imunify360 on cPanel Servers

Follow these steps to install and configure Imunify360 on your cPanel server.

Step 1: System Requirements

Before installing Imunify360, ensure your server meets these requirements:

• Supported Operating Systems:
  • CentOS 6, 7, 8
  • CloudLinux 6, 7, 8
  • AlmaLinux 8
  • Ubuntu 20.04
• Supported Panels:
  • cPanel, Plesk, and DirectAdmin
• Python Version:
  • Python 3.4 or higher

Step 2: Install Imunify360 on Your Server

1. Log in to Your Server:

   • Use SSH to log in as the root user.

2. Download the Imunify360 Installation Script:

				
					wget https://repo.imunify360.cloudlinux.com/defence360/i360deploy.sh

				
			

  3. Run the Installation Script

				
					bash i360deploy.sh

				
			

• • This will install Imunify360 and automatically configure it for cPanel integration.
  •  
  • 4. Activate Your License Key:
  • • If you don’t have a license, Imunify360 will activate a 10-day free trial. For a purchased license, activate it using the following command:

				
					imunify360-agent register YOUR_LICENSE_KEY

				
			

 5. Verify the Installation:

• • After installation, log in to your WHM interface and navigate to Plugins > Imunify360 to confirm it’s active.

Step 3: Configure Imunify360 Settings in WHM

1. Access Imunify360 Dashboard:

   • In WHM, go to Plugins > Imunify360 to open the dashboard.

2. Enable Real-Time Malware Scanning:

   • Navigate to Settings > Malware Scanner and enable real-time scanning.
   • Set up automatic cleanup for detected malware by selecting Auto-clean Mode.

3. Customize Firewall Rules:

   • Go to Firewall > Settings to configure custom rules or enable Imunify360’s default WAF rules.

4. Set Up Notifications:

   • In the Notifications section, enable email alerts for malware detections, blocked IPs, and other security events.
   • Customize notifications for admins and cPanel users.

5. Add Trusted IPs:

   • Under Firewall > Trusted IPs, whitelist trusted IPs to ensure they aren’t blocked by the firewall.

Step 4: Integrate Imunify360 with cPanel Accounts

1. User Access via cPanel:

   • Imunify360 automatically adds a security tab in the cPanel dashboard. Users can:
     • View malware scan results.
     • Clean infected files.
     • Manage backups of cleaned files.

2. Enable Self-Service Options:

   • Allow cPanel users to manage their security settings (e.g., malware cleanup and blacklist management) directly from their accounts.

Exploring Imunify360’s Malware Detection and Cleanup Capabilities

1. Automated Malware Scanning

Imunify360 continuously monitors files and scans for malicious content. It uses a signature-based approach combined with AI to identify new and evolving malware threats.

• How It Works:

  • Files are scanned during upload and execution.
  • Infected files are quarantined or cleaned based on your settings.

• Real-Life Example:

  • A WordPress site on your server is infected with a backdoor script. Imunify360 automatically identifies and removes the malicious code before it can execute.

2. Auto-Clean for Infected Files

Imunify360’s auto-clean feature eliminates the need for manual malware removal, saving time for admins and users alike.

• How It Works:

  • Detected malware is automatically removed or neutralized while preserving the integrity of the original file.
  • Cleaned files are backed up for recovery if needed.

• Best Practices:

  • Enable auto-clean mode but notify users when files are cleaned to maintain transparency.

3. Quarantine and Backup

For files that cannot be cleaned, Imunify360 moves them to quarantine to prevent further harm.

• Features:
  • View quarantined files in the dashboard.
  • Restore files to their original location if they were mistakenly flagged.

4. Proactive Defense Against PHP Malware

Imunify360’s Proactive Defense feature detects and blocks malicious PHP scripts in real time, even if they are not yet known to malware databases.

• Example:
  • A PHP script attempting to execute unauthorized database queries is blocked before it can compromise the site.

Tips for Optimizing Imunify360 Performance

1. Schedule Regular Scans:

   • Set up weekly full scans during off-peak hours to minimize server load.

2. Update Malware Databases:

   • Ensure Imunify360’s malware database is always up to date to detect the latest threats.

3. Monitor Firewall Logs:

   • Regularly review firewall logs to identify suspicious activity and adjust rules accordingly.

4. Educate Users:

   • Provide tutorials for cPanel users on how to interpret malware scan results and manage their security settings.

Conclusion

Imunify360 is a powerful tool for securing cPanel servers, offering automated malware detection, real-time threat prevention, and easy cleanup options. Its integration with cPanel makes it a seamless solution for hosting providers who want to offer a secure and reliable service to their customers.

By following this guide to configure and optimize Imunify360, you’ll not only protect your server from malware and cyberattacks but also enhance the overall hosting experience for your users.

Ready to level up your server security? Install Imunify360 today and enjoy peace of mind knowing your hosting environment is protected.