10 min read
To begin using W7SFW’s security and optimization services, the first step is to add your domain (onboard your domain) to the system. This process establishes an external firewall layer that helps block malicious traffic, viruses, and brute-force attacks before they can reach your server.
By routing your traffic through W7SFW’s network, your website will be protected by the “Blacklist All” mechanism, default security rules (similar to firewall rules), and a two-factor authentication (2FA) system via a browser extension.
Adding your domain to W7SFW does not require any changes to your source code or complex configurations on your hosting or VPS.
Preparation before getting startedLink to heading
Before adding your domain to the system, you should prepare the necessary technical information and access permissions to ensure a smooth configuration process.
First, identify the correct IP address of the server (hosting or VPS) where your website is hosted, along with your domain name. If you do not yet have hosting or a VPS, you can purchase infrastructure from System443, a strategic partner of W7SFW. In addition, you must have administrative access to your domain registrar or current DNS management service in order to add TXT and CNAME records.
An essential step is installing the W7SFW Extension on the Google Chrome browser. This extension acts as a key component for enabling two-factor authentication (2FA), providing an additional layer of security for your website.
How to add a new websiteLink to heading
To bring your website under protection, you need to follow a sequence of steps, from initializing information in the dashboard to verifying ownership and configuring system settings.
Step 1: Select your organizationLink to heading
After successfully registering and verifying your account via email, log in to the main W7SFW dashboard. On the initial interface, the system will display a list of organizations you manage. As shown in the illustration, select your organization.
Step 2: Start the Domain Onboarding processLink to heading
Once you have selected your organization, you will be redirected to the domain management page. If this is your first time using the service, no domains will be listed yet. To begin, click the “Onboard a domain” button located in the top-right corner of the interface.
Step 3: Configure connection settingsLink to heading
After clicking the Onboard a domain button, a dialog box will appear asking you to provide basic technical parameters. In the Domain field, enter the domain name you wish to protect, for example yourdomain.com. This serves as the core identifier for W7SFW to generate the appropriate SSL certificates and firewall rules for your website. On W7SFW, the system will automatically provision the SSL certificate for you.
Next, you need to enter the IP address of the server where your website is hosted so that, after filtering malicious traffic, the system can route clean traffic back to your origin server. In the Protocol section, select the connection protocol that matches your server’s current configuration.
For most modern websites, HTTPS is the standard requirement, ensuring that data is securely encrypted during transmission between users, the W7SFW system, and the origin server. After carefully reviewing the entered information, click Continue.
Step 4: Access the domainLink to heading
Once you click Continue, the system will initialize the domain with the status Initializing. This indicates that the necessary configurations are being set up on W7SFW. To proceed with important steps such as selecting a service plan and verifying DNS records, click on the newly created domain as illustrated.
Step 5: Select a plan for the domainLink to heading
When accessing the domain details, the system will prompt you to choose a service plan. Click Select Plan to navigate to the list of available plans offered by W7SFW.
Depending on your security requirements and traffic volume, you may choose plans such as Pro, Business, or Enterprise. However, to get started, you can simply select the Free plan by clicking Try now. This plan includes essential features such as sensitive data protection, a limit of 20 firewall rules, a maximum upload size of 100 MB, a timeout duration of 60 seconds, and automatic SSL provisioning.
Step 6: Configure DNS to activate the domainLink to heading
Next, you need to configure DNS records based on the information provided by W7SFW. First, in the domain’s left-hand management menu, navigate to DNS Records. Here, the system will display two essential records that must be created: a TXT record for domain ownership verification and a CNAME record to route traffic through W7SFW’s network.
In this guide, Cloudflare’s DNS management interface is used as an example. On the Cloudflare dashboard, go to the Records section and click Add record. For the TXT record, select the appropriate type, then enter the Name and Content exactly as shown in W7SFW, and click Save. Repeat the same process to add the CNAME record with the corresponding values.
After adding both records in Cloudflare, return to the DNS Records page on W7SFW and click Verify DNS. When the system displays the message “Verified successfully” and the Status column turns green with “Verified,” your domain has been successfully authenticated.
Finally, when you return to the Overview page and see that the Firewall status is Active, it means the setup has been completed successfully.
Step 7: Create an authentication passwordLink to heading
Once the domain has been verified, the next step is to establish an additional layer of security by creating an authentication password. From the menu on the left, navigate to the Passwords tab and click the Create Password button located at the top-right corner of the screen. A dialog box will appear, prompting you to enter a name and description for the password. After filling in the required information, simply click Create to complete the process.
The system allows you to generate multiple passwords to accommodate various administrative needs. For instance, you can assign a unique password to each member of your Marketing team. This approach not only enables you to track individual access histories but also provides greater flexibility in user management. If a team member leaves the organization, you can remove their password without affecting others or having to reset all existing credentials.
Immediately after creation, the system will display a notification containing the newly generated password. Please note that this password will only be shown once, so it is essential to copy and store it securely to avoid losing access in the future. At this stage, you can also select Add to Extension to quickly integrate the password into the W7SFW Chrome extension.
ConclusionLink to heading
You have now completed the domain onboarding process on W7SFW, helping to safeguard your website against potential threats from the online environment. Instead of consuming server resources to handle malicious code, the W7SFW system enables you to proactively block suspicious traffic, ensuring stable and secure website performance.
Security is not merely a technical solution but a long-term commitment to data protection and credibility. With the support of an intelligent firewall system and a two-factor authentication mechanism via the Extension, you can confidently operate your website in a structured, professional, and optimized manner.