Hide versions from port and services scan (NMAP)

I stumbled on some posts about scanning a site and detecting a server services versions. Someone pointed out a nmap tool, and I checked it against my own server. The result was not so good – Apache and ProFTPD reveled its versions. So, I was determined to change that – I want the least version information. The NMAP command is:

nmap -sS -sV -O www.yourserver.com

Secure and hide version information:

  • OpenSSH, tcp/22, not possible to change banner but yous should change the port, disable root login, etc.
  • Telnet, tcp/23, I prefer to disable Telnet. If not, use this (change file /etc/issue.net)
    mv /etc/issue.net /etc/issue.net-original
    echo "Windows Server 2008 (Microsoft)" > /etc/issue.net
  • PHP, disable expose_php for security reasons in /etc/php.ini
    expose_php = 'off'

That’s about it. I believe there is more, and if someone wants to add something, just comment on this post.

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