How to Enable X-Frame-Options with Apache HTTP Server

Overview of X-Frame-Options

X-Frame-Options is a security header that allows a web server to control whether a browser can display a page in a frame. This feature is crucial for protecting your website against clickjacking attacks, where malicious content tricks users into clicking on items on a different site while they assume they are interacting with your content.

Why Use X-Frame-Options?

Enabling X-Frame-Options helps to mitigate security risks by preventing other sites from embedding your web application in frames. This ensures that your users are not exposed to potentially harmful actions that could be taken by third-party websites.

Steps to Enable X-Frame-Options in Apache

Follow these steps to enable the X-Frame-Options header in your Apache web server:

1. Access Your Configuration File: Locate and open your server's main configuration file (usually httpd.conf) or the virtual host file.
2. Add the Header Directive: Include the line: Header always set X-Frame-Options "DENY" or Header always set X-Frame-Options "SAMEORIGIN" depending on your needs.
3. Apply Changes: Save the file and restart the Apache server to implement the changes.

Configuration Example

Here’s a sample configuration you might see:

<VirtualHost :80>  
   ServerName www.example.com  
   DocumentRoot /var/www/html  
   Header always set X-Frame-Options "DENY"  
</VirtualHost>  

Testing X-Frame-Options

After you enable the X-Frame-Options, it’s important to verify that it is properly set. You can use online tools or browser developer tools to check the response headers of your site.

Additional Tips

• Consider using Content Security Policy (CSP) headers as a more flexible alternative.
• Regularly review your security settings to ensure best practices are followed.

Conclusion

Implementing X-Frame-Options in your Apache HTTP Server is a straightforward yet effective way to enhance website security. It helps to protect users and your web application from various threats. Always ensure your server configurations adhere to the latest security standards.

Glossary of Terms

• Clickjacking: A technique used by attackers to trick users into clicking on something different from what they perceive, potentially compromising their interaction.
• Security Header: Configurations that tell the browser how to safely interact with web applications.

Pro Tips

• Test your implementation with security scanning tools.
• Stay updated on best practices for web security.

Update: 30 Sep 2025