For over a dozen years, it’s been one of those names that inspired a sense of security in the hosting industry: ConfigServer. For server administrators using cPanel or DirectAdmin, it has become almost synonymous with stability. The CSF firewall, exploit scanners, spam monitoring — a suite of tools that over the years has become a standard.
But now, the moment has come — one that just a few months ago seemed unimaginable.
On August 31, 2025, ConfigServer will cease operations. This is not a rumor, not a restructuring, not a temporary break. It’s the end. And while at first glance it may sound like a technical footnote, for many hosting companies, system administrators, and cloud service providers, it marks a true revolution.
The approaching end
The announcement from Way to the Web Ltd., the owner of the ConfigServer brand, came suddenly — without any prior warning. The message is clear: on August 31, 2025, all products — both paid and free — will no longer be supported, and some will simply stop working.
It’s like suddenly losing the brakes in a car you’ve been driving for years. Does it still run? Yes.
But is it still safe? That’s a completely different question. Those most affected will be users of ConfigServer’s paid products.
ConfigServer Exploit Scanner, Outgoing Spam Monitor, and MailScanner Front-End are tools that form the backbone of email and server protection for many hosting providers. After August next year, if these tools are not updated to their latest versions, they will simply… stop working.
And it’s not just about updates. Once the company shuts down, it will no longer be possible to:
- download installers,
- activate licenses,
- or even move the software to a new server.
In practice, this means administrators should already be planning for the future — because waiting until the last minute might be too late.
There’s slightly better news for users of ConfigServer’s free tools. The most popular one — ConfigServer Security & Firewall (CSF) — won’t stop working at the end of August. However, there’s a catch: once the company closes, there will be no more security updates.
And in the world of cybersecurity, a lack of updates means only one thing: even the best firewall will eventually become a leaky shield.
The community to the rescue
In its statement, the company did offer a small ray of hope: CSF is expected to be released under the GPLv3 license and moved to a GitHub repository. If that happens, the community of administrators and developers will have the opportunity to continue developing a tool that has been the backbone of security in thousands of data centers for years.
But even if CSF gets a second life, the rest of the ConfigServer products are unlikely to be so lucky. For exploit scanners, spam monitors, and MailScanner management panels, alternatives will need to be found.
Why this is a problem for hosting providers
For hosting providers, this isn’t just a simple software swap — it’s a need to rethink their entire security strategy. Imagine a company that has relied on the ConfigServer suite for ten years, serving hundreds of clients, with automation built entirely around these tools. After August 31, it won’t just lose support — it will face a difficult choice:
- continue relying on outdated, unsupported tools,
- or rebuild processes, test new solutions, and invest in migration.
This is not a last-minute task. Failure to prepare could lead to increased risks of breaches, spam outbreaks, or even client service disruptions.
Experts unanimously agree: there’s less time than it seems. Updating all paid products to their latest versions before the end of August is absolutely essential — but it’s only the first step. In parallel, it’s worth:
- securing installers and license keys before they disappear from ConfigServer’s servers,
- testing alternatives — such as Endian, ipFire, Imunify360, Maldet with ClamAV, SpamAssassin, or Rspamd,
- monitoring GitHub repositories, so if CSF is released publicly, you can quickly switch to the community version.
Life after ConfigServer
The shutdown of ConfigServer isn’t the end of the world — but it is the end of an era. For years, this toolset was the obvious choice for cPanel and DirectAdmin servers. Now, administrators must step out of their comfort zones and explore new solutions.
History shows that the hosting industry knows how to adapt. If CSF truly ends up in the hands of the community, there’s a chance that at least part of ConfigServer’s legacy will live on. The rest will require effort, testing, and — let’s be honest — investment. On August 31, 2025, servers won’t vanish, and the internet won’t disappear.
But something will: a cornerstone of security that protected thousands of machines for years. And that’s exactly why action needs to be taken today — not a year from now.