want to use apache web server only on local machine

This might sound like a dumb question, but I don't know much about
security.

I installed Apache on my Windows XP computer in order to test my PHP
web files locally before uploading to the web server. I'm worried about
my computer being more vulnerable to attack now that I am running a web
server. Is there a way to configure Apache so that I can only use it to
display webpages locally on my machine, but disallow remote users from
accessing the webserver?

Thank you.

Lee wrote:

> I installed Apache on my Windows XP computer in order to test my PHP
> web files locally before uploading to the web server. I'm worried about
> my computer being more vulnerable to attack now that I am running a web
> server. Is there a way to configure Apache so that I can only use it to
> display webpages locally on my machine, but disallow remote users from
> accessing the webserver?

Yes. However, in order to stack the odds, you should also disallow access
using a firewall, preferably an external box rather than a "software
firewall".

Thor

--
http://www.anta.net/OH2GDF

On 3 Sep 2005 17:54:54 -0700, "Lee" <craftystud-idol@yahoo.com> wrote:

>This might sound like a dumb question, but I don't know much about
>security.
>
>I installed Apache on my Windows XP computer in order to test my PHP
>web files locally before uploading to the web server. I'm worried about
>my computer being more vulnerable to attack now that I am running a web
>server. Is there a way to configure Apache so that I can only use it to
>display webpages locally on my machine, but disallow remote users from
>accessing the webserver?
>
>Thank you.

1. USE A FIREWALL, filtering port 80 / port 443.
I recommend ZoneAlarm

2. modify or add a .htpasswd file to the document root directory
Order deny,allow
Deny from all
Allow from dev.example.com, 127.0.0.1
http://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.0/howto/auth.html

--
Terry
My blog: http://www.TheNextWindow.com
My website: http://www.TerryStockdale.com
My tip site and newsletter: http://www.TerrysComputerTips.com

Lee wrote:
> This might sound like a dumb question, but I don't know much about
> security.
>
> I installed Apache on my Windows XP computer in order to test my PHP
> web files locally before uploading to the web server. I'm worried about
> my computer being more vulnerable to attack now that I am running a web
> server. Is there a way to configure Apache so that I can only use it to
> display webpages locally on my machine, but disallow remote users from
> accessing the webserver?

It should be enough to bind Apache only to the loopback connector ie.
localhost. Just adding this directive should suffice, if you also make
sure you don't have Listen directives for other IPs:

Listen 127.0.0.1

Thanks for all your replies. I just realized that it will be cumbersome
to test whether the settings work or not b/c I don't have a second
computer and internet connection to use to check the access to my
webserver. I have a dsl connection, so I suppose I could try using a
dial up modem to test it (will it work if I use the same computer but a
different internet connection?).

BTW, I'm wondering what is considered a more secure way of doing it -
using the "Listen" directive? or the "Order/Deny/Allow" directive?

Thanks.

Lee wrote:
> Thanks for all your replies. I just realized that it will be cumbersome
> to test whether the settings work or not b/c I don't have a second
> computer and internet connection to use to check the access to my
> webserver. I have a dsl connection, so I suppose I could try using a
> dial up modem to test it (will it work if I use the same computer but a
> different internet connection?).

You might go to one of the web sites that offer a "port scan" service
e.g. Steve Gibson's "Shields Up" (http://www.grc.com/default.htm).

> BTW, I'm wondering what is considered a more secure way of doing it -
> using the "Listen" directive? or the "Order/Deny/Allow" directive?

Listen is more secure, I'm sure. It allows you to control what ports are
open on what IP addresses. Using Order/Deny/Allow the port will be open,
but specific client IPs would be allowed or blocked. I think it would be
harder to get past a closed port than a software check. Of course, you
could do both.

--
Jim Patterson
Ottawa, Ont
CANADA

Thanks Jim!