cpGuard is a comprehensive security system designed to protect websites hosted on cPanel. It integrates malware scanning, firewall protection, antivirus, and spam protection to ensure your site remains safe and secure.

1. What is cpGuard?

cpGuard offers:

• Malware protection: Scans and removes malicious code.
• Firewall protection: Defends against attacks like DDoS and brute force.
• Antivirus scanning: Uses integrated tools like ClamAV to detect and eliminate viruses and malware in server files.
• Spam protection: Monitors for spam scripts and outbound email abuse to prevent your server from being blacklisted. It does not filter incoming spam.

2. Accessing cpGuard

2.1 Log in to cPanel

1. Log in to your cPanel account using your hosting credentials.
2. Locate cpGuard under the Security or Plugins section, depending on your cPanel theme.
3. Click the cpGuard icon to open its dashboard.

3. Key Features of cpGuard

3.1. Malware Scanner

• Scans website files for malicious code and threats.
• How to scan:
  1. Go to Malware Scanner in the cpGuard dashboard.
  2. Select the directory or files to scan.
  3. Click Scan Now to initiate the scan.
  4. Review the detected threats. You can choose to clean, quarantine, or manually delete them, depending on the severity and type of threat.
  5. cpGuard also offers on-demand scanning, but real-time file change monitoring may require integration with other server-level tools.

3.2 Firewall Protection

• Protects your website from attacks like DDoS and brute force attempts.
• Firewall settings:
  1. Navigate to Firewall Settings in cpGuard.
  2. Enable the firewall if it’s not already active.
  3. Add or block specific IP addresses as needed.

3.3 Antivirus Scanner

• Scans server-side website files for malware and viruses using ClamAV and other tools. Note: cpGuard focuses on file scanning and does not scan email inboxes like traditional antivirus software.
• How to use:
  1. Open Antivirus Scanner from the dashboard.
  2. Choose a full or custom scan.
  3. Follow the prompts to handle detected issues.

3.4 Spam Protection

• Detects and prevents outbound spam originating from your server, helping protect your domain reputation and email deliverability.
• cpGuard does not scan incoming email for spam — this is typically handled by tools like SpamAssassin or external email services.
• Update spam protection rules regularly for optimal performance.

4. Additional Settings

4.1 Automatic Updates

• Ensure cpGuard is configured to automatically update malware signatures and security rule sets. This helps protect against the latest threats, including zero-day vulnerabilities.

4.2 Security Reports

• View daily or weekly security activity reports:
  1. Go to Security Reports in the dashboard.
  2. Select a date range to review detailed insights.
• You can also configure email alerts to receive immediate notifications for malware detections or blocked intrusion attempts.

4.3 Quarantine and Cleanup Options

• When threats are detected, cpGuard provides options to quarantine, clean, or delete the infected files.
• Quarantined files are isolated to prevent further harm but can be reviewed and restored if needed.

4.4 System Resource Usage

• cpGuard is designed to be lightweight and efficient, making it suitable for shared hosting environments.
• It typically consumes fewer resources compared to more comprehensive solutions like Imunify360.

5. Tips for Maximizing Security with cpGuard

1. Regularly update your CMS, plugins, and themes.
2. Use strong, unique passwords for your accounts.
3. Schedule periodic scans to detect and resolve threats.
4. Enable automatic protection features in cpGuard.
5. Enable email notifications in cpGuard to stay informed of any suspicious activity.
6. Regularly check the quarantine area for false positives or unresolved issues.
7. Review your server logs and cpGuard reports weekly for signs of unusual activity.