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10 Essential Security Steps for OpenClaw Users to Prevent Hacks

10 Essential Security Steps for OpenClaw Users to Prevent Hacks

Security is not a feature when you run OpenClaw. It is the foundation. If you are using ClawdBot (now called OpenClaw), you are effectively running an AI agent with access to API keys, infrastructure, logs, automations and possibly production systems. That is powerful. It is also risky. This article walks through 10 essential security steps that are not “nice to have” tweaks. They are baseline rules. Ignore them, and you are inviting trouble. Apply them, and you dramatically reduce your attack surface.

Why OpenClaw security is different

OpenClaw is not a passive tool. It can execute commands, interact with APIs, access tokens and perform automated actions.

That means:

  • If compromised, it can expose API keys.
  • It can modify data.
  • It can run commands on your server.
  • It can pivot into other systems.

Think of it as giving a junior sysadmin access to your infrastructure, except this one works 24/7 and follows instructions instantly.



1. Never run OpenClaw on your main device

Do not install OpenClaw on your daily laptop that stores:

  • Personal photos
  • Saved passwords
  • Browser sessions
  • Private documents

Use:

  • A separate VPS
  • A dedicated Mac mini
  • A cloud server with isolated credentials

Risk example: A malicious prompt injection causes OpenClaw to read local files. If it runs on your personal laptop, it could access sensitive directories.

Prevention: Isolate it. If something goes wrong, you wipe the machine. No personal damage.



2. Disable root access

Never let OpenClaw operate as root.

Root means full system control.

Instead:

  • Create a limited user
  • Disable root SSH login
  • Grant only required permissions

Risk example: If OpenClaw executes a malicious command as root, it can modify system binaries, delete logs or install backdoors.

Prevention: Limited user accounts contain the blast radius.



3. Change default ports

Default ports are scanned constantly by bots.

Changing the port does not make you invincible but it removes you from automated mass scans.

Risk example: Automated scanners find your default gateway and start brute-forcing credentials.

Prevention: Change the port and combine it with firewall restrictions.



4. Keep it off the public internet

Expose nothing publicly if possible.

Use a private networking solution like Tailscale to create a private mesh between your devices.

This way:

  • OpenClaw is invisible to the public internet
  • You can access it securely from anywhere

Risk example: A publicly exposed dashboard with weak auth gets indexed or brute-forced.

Prevention: Zero public exposure.



5. SSH keys + no passwords + Fail2Ban

Passwords can be guessed or leaked.

Instead:

  • Use SSH keys only
  • Disable password authentication
  • Install Fail2Ban

Fail2Ban blocks repeated failed login attempts automatically.

Risk example: Botnet attempts 10,000 login attempts per hour.

Prevention: Keys + automatic IP banning.



6. Lock down your firewall

Use UFW or similar firewall tooling.

Close everything except:

  • SSH from your private network
  • Specific required services

Risk example: An exposed database port becomes accessible externally.

Prevention: Default deny. Only open what is absolutely required.



7. Use an allow-list

Configure OpenClaw to respond only to approved identities.

Allow-list specific:

  • User IDs
  • Phone numbers
  • Slack user IDs
  • Telegram handles

Risk example: A random user discovers your bot endpoint and starts sending commands.

Prevention: Only pre-approved users can trigger actions.



8. Make OpenClaw monitor itself

Let OpenClaw monitor:

  • Auth logs
  • System logs
  • API usage spikes

Trigger alerts when:

  • Unknown IP connects
  • API usage jumps unexpectedly
  • Unexpected commands execute

This turns your AI into a watchdog instead of just an executor.



9. Never use group chats

Only use Direct Messages.

In group chats:

  • Someone can accidentally trigger commands
  • Someone can inject malicious prompts
  • Logs become messy and ambiguous

Risk example: A team member jokingly writes “delete everything” and the bot interprets it literally.

Prevention: Strict DM-only command channels.



10. Always apply least privilege

Start with minimal permissions.

Do not:

  • Grant full filesystem access by default
  • Give admin API tokens unnecessarily
  • Allow unrestricted command execution

Add permissions only when required.

Risk example: Compromised bot token has admin-level API access across systems.

Prevention: Scope-limited tokens and role separation.



Popular interfaces: WhatsApp, Slack, Telegram and more

OpenClaw often integrates with:

  • WhatsApp
  • Slack
  • Telegram
  • Discord
  • Custom web dashboards

Each interface increases your attack surface.

Security steps must apply to each integration separately.



Realistic risk scenarios and prevention

Scenario 1: Prompt injection via Slack

A malicious user embeds hidden instructions in a document link shared in Slack. OpenClaw processes it and executes unintended actions.

Prevention:

  • Restrict file access scope
  • Scan inputs for suspicious instructions
  • Use confirmation layers for destructive actions

Scenario 2: API key leakage

Logs accidentally expose API keys in debug output.

Prevention:

  • Mask sensitive data in logs
  • Rotate keys regularly
  • Limit key permissions

Scenario 3: Compromised VPS

Unpatched server vulnerability allows remote execution.

Prevention:

  • Regular updates
  • Automated patch management
  • Infrastructure isolation


Security is not something you “add later.”

If you treat OpenClaw like a toy, you will eventually get burned.

If you treat it like production infrastructure from day one, you reduce risk dramatically.

Security is not a feature. It is your foundation.