🔐 Secure AWS EC2 Linux Web Server

This project demonstrates the deployment and configuration of a secure Linux based web server using Amazon EC2. The project includes instance deployment, security group configuration, Apache installation, Linux administration, and hosting a live webpage accessible through a public IPv4 address.

📸 Final Result

Deployed and secured a Linux-based web server on AWS EC2 using Apache, firewalld, and Fail2Ban.

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💡 Project Overview

In this project, I built and secured a cloud-hosted Linux web server using AWS EC2. After deploying the server, I configured network access with security groups, installed Apache to host a webpage, and added additional security controls including a Linux firewall and Fail2Ban.

This project demonstrates both infrastructure deployment and basic system hardening.

Skills Demonstrated

• AWS EC2
• Linux Administration
• Apache Web Server
• Security Groups
• Networking Fundamentals
• Cloud Infrastructure
• Troubleshooting

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🛠️ Technologies Used

• AWS EC2
• Amazon Linux
• Apache HTTP Server
• SSH (Secure Shell)
• Security Groups
• firewalld (Linux firewall)
• Fail2Ban (intrusion prevention)
• Linux CLI

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⚙️ Deployment Walkthrough

Step 1: EC2 Dashboard

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Step 2: Launch Instance

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Step 3: Select Amazon Linux

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Step 4: Choose Instance Type

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Step 5: Select Key Pair

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Step 6: Configure Security Groups

Configured inbound rules:

• SSH (port 22)
• HTTP (port 80)
• HTTPS (port 443)

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Step 7: Launch Success

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Step 8: Instance Running

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Step 9: Public IP Address

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Step 10: EC2 Connect

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Step 11: Terminal Access

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🐧 Linux Configuration

Step 12: Update System

Command: sudo yum update -y

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Step 13: Install Apache

Command: sudo yum install httpd -y

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Step 14: Start Apache

Commands: sudo systemctl start httpd
sudo systemctl enable httpd

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Step 15: Verify Apache

Command: sudo systemctl status httpd

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Step 16: Test Web Server

Accessed via public IP in browser.

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🔐 Security Hardening

Step 17: Install firewalld

Command: sudo yum install firewalld -y

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Step 18: Enable firewalld

Commands: sudo systemctl start firewalld
sudo systemctl enable firewalld

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Step 19: Configure Firewall Rules

Commands: sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=http
sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=https
sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=ssh
sudo firewall-cmd --reload

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Step 20: Install Fail2Ban

Command: sudo yum install fail2ban -y

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Step 21: Enable Fail2Ban

Commands: sudo systemctl start fail2ban
sudo systemctl enable fail2ban

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Step 22: Verify Fail2Ban

Command: sudo systemctl status fail2ban

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✅ Final Verification

Step 23: Confirm Services Running

Verified:

• Apache running
• firewalld active
• Fail2Ban active
• Website accessible

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🧠 What I Learned

• How to deploy cloud infrastructure using AWS EC2
• How to configure secure remote access using SSH
• How to install and manage Apache on Linux
• How to configure a Linux firewall using firewalld
• How Fail2Ban helps protect against unauthorized access attempts
• How to validate a working and secured web server

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🔮 Future Improvements

• Add HTTPS using SSL/TLS
• Configure domain name (Route 53)
• Implement monitoring with CloudWatch
• Automate deployment with Terraform

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📌 Author

Calvin Trammell
https://github.com/CalvinT57
https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvin-trammell-56675295