How to Install and Secure MongoDB on Ubuntu 24.04

MongoDB is a popular open-source NoSQL database that offers high performance, scalability, and flexibility for storing and retrieving data. If you are an Ubuntu 24.04 user looking to install and secure MongoDB on your system, this article will guide you through the process.

Installing MongoDB on Ubuntu 24.04

Step 1: Update the Package List
Before installing MongoDB, it is essential to update the package list on your Ubuntu system. You can do this by running the following command in the terminal:

sudo apt update

Step 2: Install MongoDB
Next, you need to install MongoDB on your Ubuntu 24.04 system. You can do this by running the following command in the terminal:

sudo apt install mongodb

Step 3: Start MongoDB
Once MongoDB is installed, you can start the MongoDB service by running the following command in the terminal:

sudo service mongodb start

Securing MongoDB on Ubuntu 24.04

Now that you have installed MongoDB on your Ubuntu 24.04 system, it is crucial to secure the database to prevent unauthorized access and protect your data. Here are some steps you can take to secure MongoDB:

Step 1: Enable Authentication
By default, MongoDB does not require authentication, which can leave your database vulnerable to unauthorized access. To enable authentication, you need to create a user with administrative privileges and configure MongoDB to require authentication. You can do this by following these steps:

Access the MongoDB shell by running the following command in the terminal:

mongo

Switch to the admin database by running the following command in the MongoDB shell:

use admin

Create an administrative user by running the following command in the MongoDB shell. Replace and with your desired username and password:

db.createUser({user: "<username>", pwd: "<password>", roles: [{role: "userAdminAnyDatabase", db: "admin"}]})

Exit the MongoDB shell by running the following command:

exit

Edit the MongoDB configuration file to enable authentication. Open the MongoDB configuration file in a text editor:

sudo nano /etc/mongod.conf

Add the following line to the configuration file to enable authentication:

security: authentication: enabled

Save the configuration file and exit the text editor.
Restart the MongoDB service to apply the changes:

sudo service mongodb restart

Step 2: Limit Network Access
To further secure MongoDB, you can restrict network access to the database. By default, MongoDB listens on all network interfaces, which can expose the database to potential threats. To limit network access, you can modify the MongoDB configuration file:

Open the MongoDB configuration file in a text editor:

sudo nano /etc/mongod.conf

Add the following line to the configuration file to bind MongoDB to a specific IP address. Replace with the desired IP address:

net: bindIp: <ip_address>

Save the configuration file and exit the text editor.
Restart the MongoDB service to apply the changes:

sudo service mongodb restart

By following these steps, you can install and secure MongoDB on your Ubuntu 24.04 system. It is essential to regularly update MongoDB and apply security best practices to protect your data from potential threats.