There are several steps you can take to secure MongoDB on a production server running Linux or Unix:
Enable authentication: By default, MongoDB does not require authentication to access the database. To enable authentication, you will need to set the auth parameter to true in the MongoDB configuration file (/etc/mongod.conf).
Secure the network: Make sure that MongoDB is only accessible to trusted clients. This can be done by configuring the firewall to only allow connections from trusted IP addresses, or by binding MongoDB to a specific network interface.
Use strong passwords: It is important to use strong passwords for the MongoDB user accounts to prevent unauthorized access. Use password management software to generate and store unique, complex passwords for each user.
Encrypt data in transit: Use Transport Layer Security (TLS) to encrypt data as it is transmitted between clients and the server. This can be enabled by setting the tls parameter to true in the MongoDB configuration file.
Enable auditing: Enable auditing to track database activity and detect potential security threats. This can be done by setting the auditLog parameter to true in the MongoDB configuration file.
Regularly update and patch: Keep MongoDB and the operating system up to date with the latest patches and security updates to reduce the risk of vulnerabilities being exploited.
By following these best practices, you can significantly improve the security of your MongoDB server and protect your data from unauthorized access.