*Webmin* provides a very convenient web interface to administer (almost) any aspect of (almost) any Unix-like operating system. It usually offers the option to enable any standard standard plugin for which it finds a corresponding service installed. It can take a lot of headaches out of configuring such services as *Postfix*, RSnapshot, *PostgreSQL*, *Apache 2" or *Nginx*.
As a _variety attenuator_, generally restricting configuration to valid and meaningful options, it goes a long way towards the prevention of shooting one's own toes off.
If using an Ubuntu derivative: - Download current most up to date version from from https://webmin.com/ (e.g. https://sourceforge.net/projects/webadmin/files/webmin/1.974/webmin_1.974_all.deb)
- On the command line, run (e.g.)
dpkg -i webmin_1.974_all.deb
- At this point there will be one or two unresolved dependencies, in particular an SSL layer for Perl. The quickest way to fix this might be to run
sudo apt -f install
- Another solution would be to run` *sudo aptitude* on the command line and then allow that to guide you to a sensible resolution.
NB, the default SSL port is 10000 and is probably well known among mischief-makers. It may be better to change this by editing the configuration file at
/etc/webmin/miniserv.conf
editing the line (quite near the top)
listen=10000
replacing "10000" with a high port number of your own choice.
While logged in via SSH, *Webmin* can be stopped and started using
/etc/webmin/stop
and
/etc/webmin/start
respectively. It is good practice not to leave *Webmin* running all the time (especially if your choice of passwords is not strong). Shutting down *Webmin* when not needed reduces the risk of the port being identified by scanning.
If using _OpenBSD_, it is necessary to download the tarball version and unpack that somewhere convenient.
It is then necessary to install _SSLeay_ (assuming SSL is going not going to be provided by means of a proxy server). Unfortunately, _pkg_add_ is unable to identify a suitable candidate without a little help. Therefore run
pkg_info -Q SSLeay
to find a candidate and then specify that, e.g.
pkg_add p5-Net-SSLeay-1.92p2
With _SSLeay_ installed, it is now safe to run
./setup.sh
from within the directory into which _Webmin_ has unpacked.