Apache Friends Support Forum

I completely understand that XAMPP is meant for testing/development. However I'm a research student and need to run my server on the internet in order to test it with users.

I've recently had a host of anti-sec bots searching my server for exploits and I'd really like to tighten XAMPP up as much as possible.

Does anyone have any advice? (other than not using XAMPP)

I think with hardening Xampp you mean hardening the services you are going to use (Apache, Mysql, etc...)
I'm not sure, but if you simply improve the service's configuration file (adding proper rules) and the server machine (i.e. firewall, kernel etc...) you should reach your target.

mbennion wrote:I completely understand that XAMPP is meant for testing/development.

Yes, but for local development only. Xampp is not meant for running online.

I'd say "do not use XAMPP". Don't install a security hole and try to close it down; instead, start with nothing and gradually install & open up what's needed. Apache, MySQL, PHP all have standalone Windows builds. – grawity Feb 2 '15 at 13:26

So true.

Reference: https://superuser.com/questions/872643/ ... 893_872643