Change Joomla Administrator URL

Question

Update:

Since this question was asked Joomla StackExchange has been setup and the same questions exists there please add any answers or comments to that question

Original:

I am using Joomla 3.0.3 for a fairly big new client, security is a must. I therefore decided to try change the Administrator URL, normally

example.com/administrator

changed to

  example.com/newadminurl

Reason being if the folders aren't where potential hackers expect that is the first hurdle before they can even try anything else.

However that has now meant whenever I go to the new URL it brings up a 403 error. I have tried searching if there is a global config setting I need to change but can't find anything on the web or Joomla site. Anyone know how to change this deep down in the source code?

Answer 1

Step 1. Create a new directory in your root directory (eg. "newadminurl")

Step 2. Create an index.php file in your "newadminurl " directory..

$admin_cookie_code="3429020892";
setcookie("JoomlaAdminSession",$admin_cookie_code,0,"/");
header("Location: /administrator/index.php");
?>

Step 3. Add this to .htaccess of your real Joomla administrator directory

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} ^/administrator
RewriteCond %{HTTP_COOKIE} !JoomlaAdminSession=3429020892
RewriteRule .* - [L,F]

Explanation:

Now, you need to open "http://yoursite.com/newadminurl/" before you open your “administrator” path. Here we have created a cookie that expires at the end of the session and redirect to actual administration page. Your actual “administrator”path is inaccessible until you don’t open on your secret link .

I hope this is what you were looking for.