The Internet is an open book, anyone smart enough to discover your server IP address can point their domain(s) to your server. These practices aim at trying to consume your server resources and overwhelm your application. Such perpetrators can easily be stopped by using the Cloudways default application control.
Tip
We also recommend blocking direct web traffic pointed to your server’s IP address for additional security.
How to Block Random Domains Pointing to Your Server
Unknown domain requests are already blocked on a new server according to the default domain settings; however, you can follow these steps to verify how your existing servers react in case of random domain pointing. If they are not blocked, you can block them.
Block Random Domains — Navigate to Advanced Server Settings
Log in to your Cloudways Platform using your credentials.
From the top menu bar, open Servers.
Next, choose your desired server.
3. Under Server Management, select Settings & Packages.
4. Visit the Advanced tab.
Block Random Domains — Update Default Application
Scroll down and locate the Nginx Settings.
2. Here, update the Default Application and select None.
Selecting “None” results in setting no default application on the server; thus, any application hosted on this server will require requests to include proper addressing. An error saying “The website you are trying to reach is unavailable” will be displayed whenever an unknown domain request is received.
Selecting any application as the default application means that any unknown domain requests coming to your server will resolve to your chosen application.
3. Scroll down and click Save Changes.
That’s it! We hope this tutorial was helpful. If you need any help, then feel free to search your query on Cloudways Support Center or contact us via chat (Need a Hand > Send us a Message). Alternatively, you can also create a support ticket.