Securing Your Minecraft Realm: How to Hide Servers

20 February, 2022

Minecraft, the immensely popular sandbox game developed by Mojang Studios, offers players the opportunity to create and join multiplayer realms, where they can collaborate, explore, and build together. While playing on a public realm can be exciting and fosters a sense of community, there are times when you may want to hide your Minecraft server to create a more private and secure environment. In this article, we will explore some methods to help you hide your Minecraft server and protect your realm from unwanted attention.

Whitelist your server: One of the simplest ways to hide your Minecraft server is by implementing a whitelist. By enabling the whitelist feature, you can control who can access your server by adding their Minecraft usernames to a designated whitelist. This ensures that only approved players can join your realm, keeping unwanted users out.

To enable the whitelist, access your server settings or configuration files and locate the "whitelist" option. Add the Minecraft usernames of the players you want to grant access to and save the changes. Now, only those players on the whitelist will be able to join your server.

Use a password: Another effective method to hide your Minecraft server is by implementing a password system. Set a unique and secure password for your realm and share it only with trusted players. This adds an additional layer of protection, as only those with the password will be able to join your server.

To enable the password system, access your server settings or configuration files and look for the "password" option. Set a strong password and save the changes. When players attempt to join your server, they will need to enter the password to gain access.

Change default port: By default, Minecraft servers use port 25565 for communication. Changing the default port can make your server less visible to potential attackers who may be scanning for servers on the default port. Choose a different port number and configure your network settings to reflect the change.

To change the default port, access your server settings or configuration files and look for the "server-port" option. Enter the new port number and save the changes. Remember to also update your router settings to forward the new port to your server.

Hide your server from server lists: Minecraft server lists, such as the official server list or third-party websites, display a list of available servers for players to join. If you want to hide your server from these lists, you can configure your server settings to prevent it from appearing.

To hide your server from server lists, access your server settings or configuration files and look for the "server-visible" or "visibility" option. Set it to "false" or a similar option to prevent your server from being displayed in public server lists.

Use a virtual private network (VPN): A VPN can provide an additional layer of privacy and security for your Minecraft server. By routing your server's traffic through a VPN, you can mask your server's IP address, making it more difficult for potential attackers to identify and target your realm.

Research and choose a reputable VPN service provider that supports Minecraft server hosting. Follow their instructions to set up the VPN connection for your server, ensuring that all traffic is routed through the VPN.

Securing your Minecraft realm and hiding your server is crucial to maintaining a private and secure multiplayer environment. Implementing methods like whitelisting, using passwords, changing the default port, hiding your server from server lists, and using a VPN can help protect your realm from unwanted attention and potential security risks. By taking these steps, you can enjoy a more controlled and secure Minecraft multiplayer experience.