Since Webmin is a lesser discussed product, there’s less documentation available on how to secure Webmin servers. The easiest issues to resolve:
- SSL configuration (Certbot being one of the easiest options)
- Automated Antivirus (AV) scanning
- Webmin Backups
Once you log into the Webmin dashboard, there are multiple options to backup data on a Webmin server. We’ll cover how to do the following below:
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Backup Webmin Filesystem
Webmin offers the ability to schedule full server backups in tar
format.
The settings option in the upper-left corner allows you to run backups in the foreground / background, send backup notifications, and more.
- On the left, under System, select Filesystem Backup.
- Select the file icon to the right of the text box.
- Select a file path to backup.
- Select Add a new backup of directory: to continue.
- On the next page, add additional directories to backup.
- Specify the directory (or remote system) and filename for the backup to be created.
- Select the Remote backup command if applicable. Then fill in the Password for SSH/FTP login.
- Select Backup options to specify backup label, files to skip, and more.
- Select Backup schedule to set cron job timing, what email account should receive results notifications and in what situations.
- At bottom, select Save or Save and Backup Now. You can also restore filesystem backups from here.
Webmin backups are listed on the Filesystem Backup page.
![Configuring Webmin backups for the filesystem](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/webmin-backup-filesystem-1024x576.png)
Backup Webmin Configuration Files
Webmin has the ability to create, schedule, and restore backups of essential server configuration files in the tgz
format.
The settings option in the upper-left corner allows you to change the backup data time-frames to strftime
or Webmin variable substitution, update the From address for email notifications, and more.
- On the left, under Webmin, select Backup Configuration Files.
- Select Webmin modules to backup. You can select multiple modules with the Ctrl key or all modules between two modules with the Shift key.
- Select a backup destination: local file, external FTP server, external SSH server, or browser download.
- Specify other files to include in the backup: module configuration files, server configuration files, and other files listed in the text box at the bottom of the page.
- At the bottom, select Backup Now.
![Configuring Webmin backups for configuration files](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/webmin-backup-config-files-1024x576.png)
Schedule Webmin Configuration Backups
- At the top of the Backup Configuration Files page, select Scheduled backups.
- Edit backup options same as for immediate backups covered above.
- Select Pre and post backup commands to add pre-backup and post-backup commands if needed. Possible usage examples for this option include loading / unloading tapes and creating checksums.
- Select Backup schedule to set the cron job timing, what email account should receive results notifications, and when.
- At the bottom, select Create.
You’ll see created Webmin backups listed on the Scheduled backups page showing the backup destination, Webmin modules, and scheduled time.
Restore Webmin Configuration Files
- At the top of the Backup Configuration Files page, select Restore now.
- Select modules to restore and other files if necessary.
- Under Restore from, specify the backup file for restoration.
- Choose where to apply configurations and list files that would be affected.
- At the bottom, select Restore Now.
Integrate Bacula for Webmin Backups
The Bacula Webmin module allows system administrators to integrate Webmin servers with a Bacula backup and recovery instance. To do so, you must install the Bacula Webmin module from Webmin > Webmin Configuration > Webmin Modules. Choose an installation method, then select Install Module at the bottom. You may then configure backups with the Bacula Backup System from the left-hand menu.
Learn more essential server administration tasks from our Cloud Server Hosting Product Guide.