7. Apache and Nginx: Install and Understand
7.2 Quick Reference: Packages, Services and Paths
Also in the AWS course: this lesson is the same as 6.3 Quick reference: package, service, paths per OS in the AWS course, which is the main version of this page.
Ha table print karun jawal theva. Bahutek beginner chuka mhanje Ubuntu cha path Amazon Linux var vaparne.
| Item | Amazon Linux 2023 | Ubuntu 22.04 / 24.04 | CentOS Stream 9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nginx package / service | nginx / nginx |
nginx / nginx |
nginx / nginx |
| Nginx main config | /etc/nginx/nginx.conf |
/etc/nginx/nginx.conf |
/etc/nginx/nginx.conf |
| Nginx site configs | /etc/nginx/conf.d/*.conf |
/etc/nginx/sites-available/ + symlink in sites-enabled/ (also conf.d/) |
/etc/nginx/conf.d/*.conf |
| Nginx default web root | /usr/share/nginx/html |
/var/www/html |
/usr/share/nginx/html |
| Nginx worker user | nginx |
www-data |
nginx |
| Nginx logs | /var/log/nginx/ |
/var/log/nginx/ |
/var/log/nginx/ |
| Apache package / service | httpd / httpd |
apache2 / apache2 |
httpd / httpd |
| Apache main config | /etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf |
/etc/apache2/apache2.conf |
/etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf |
| Apache site configs | /etc/httpd/conf.d/*.conf |
/etc/apache2/sites-available/ (enable with a2ensite) |
/etc/httpd/conf.d/*.conf |
| Apache default web root | /var/www/html |
/var/www/html |
/var/www/html |
| Apache user | apache |
www-data |
apache |
| Apache logs | /var/log/httpd/ |
/var/log/apache2/ |
/var/log/httpd/ |
| Config test | sudo nginx -t / sudo apachectl configtest |
sudo nginx -t / sudo apache2ctl configtest |
sudo nginx -t / sudo apachectl configtest |
| Auto-start after install? | No — service ... start + systemctl enable |
Yes | No — service ... start + systemctl enable |
| Extra step | — | ufw if enabled |
firewalld + SELinux |
Ravindra Bagale's Tip
Many students look for apache2 on Amazon Linux and httpd on Ubuntu. Remember: Amazon Linux/CentOS = httpd, Ubuntu = apache2. And Nginx's default web root is /usr/share/nginx/html on Amazon Linux and /var/www/html on Ubuntu.
Ravindra Bagale's Tip – मराठी
Amazon Linux वर apache2 आणि Ubuntu वर httpd शोधणारे बरेच students आहेत. लक्षात ठेवा: Amazon Linux/CentOS = httpd, Ubuntu = apache2. आणि Nginx चा default web root Amazon Linux वर /usr/share/nginx/html, Ubuntu वर /var/www/html.
Ravindra Bagale's Tip – हिंदी
बहुत से students Amazon Linux पर apache2 और Ubuntu पर httpd ढूँढते हैं. याद रखो: Amazon Linux/CentOS = httpd, Ubuntu = apache2. और Nginx का default web root Amazon Linux पर /usr/share/nginx/html, Ubuntu पर /var/www/html है.
Practice task
Without looking, write the Apache package name, config test command and log folder for Amazon Linux 2023 and for Ubuntu.
Extended teaching notes
Why this lesson matters
Use this lesson to strengthen systems you own: understand the risk, practise safely in a lab, then write and apply the fix.
Apply the fix across stacks
Same class of bug, same idea in every language.
Java / Spring Boot
Parameterise queries, encode output, CSRF tokens, limited Actuator, dependency scanning.
ASP.NET Core
EF Core / parameterised SQL, Razor encoding, HTTPS, Data Protection.
Node.js / Express
helmet, parameterised SQL, npm audit, avoid eval and shell concat.
Python / Django / Flask / FastAPI
ORM, autoescape, pip-audit, Bandit; never shell=True with user input.
PHP / Laravel
PDO/Eloquent, Blade escaping, composer audit.
Go / Ruby
database/sql placeholders / ActiveRecord; html/template / ERB escaping; govulncheck / Brakeman.
nginx / Apache / Tomcat
Hide versions, TLS, security headers, least-open ports.
MySQL / PostgreSQL / MongoDB / Redis
Private networks, auth on, least-privilege users, no 0.0.0.0/0.
AWS / Azure / GCP
Roles not long-lived keys, private data stores, cloud audit logs on.
Mini case study
Suppose we are on a purple-team exercise for an Indian mid-size company (sample data). Red notes a technique from this lesson against a lab clone. Blue must show the control that stops it, the log that would have fired, and the ticket that hardens production. That is the standard this course trains you for.
Defender's worksheet (do this today)
- Write the lesson title, date and the exact lab target you are allowed to use.
- List three owned systems (VMs, apps, or cloud accounts) where this lesson applies.
- Run one safe check from the lesson on a lab system only. Paste the command and output.
- Write a two-sentence fix you would give a teammate.
- Name one related public advisory (CERT-In, CISA, NVD, or a vendor bulletin) with its date.
Indian workplace (sample data)
Suppose we are a junior analyst at Infosys, TCS, Wipro or a fintech SOC in Bengaluru/Pune. Turn this lesson into one checklist item with an owner, a due date and a place to store evidence (ticket + screenshot).
Global practice
Compare your notes with OWASP, CIS Benchmarks, NIST CSF/IR guidance or a cloud Well-Architected security question. Write five lines on what overlaps.
Everyday analogy
Explain the risk and the fix to a family member without jargon. If they can repeat the warning, you understand it well enough to teach juniors.
Key terms
- Control: a safeguard (patch, config, process, detection).
- Finding: a weakness backed by evidence.
- Remediation: the fix plus how you verified it.
- Scope: systems you have written permission to touch.
- Least privilege: only the access the task needs.
- Defence in depth: several layers so one failure does not end the story.
Common mistakes
- Skipping written permission "just for a quick scan".
- Practising on hostel, office or public targets without authorisation.
- Collecting tool output without writing the fix.
- Copying attack steps onto production to "verify". Defenders verify with versions, configs and patches.
- Publishing screenshots that contain secrets, cookies or internal hostnames.
Recap
- Evidence, fix, owner, date.
- Own lab only.
- Fix > spectacle.