Securing Your OpenCart Store: Moving the Storage Directory Outside the Web Root

One of the most crucial steps in securing your OpenCart store is moving the storage directory outside of the web directory. This simple yet effective measure significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access to your store's sensitive data. OpenCart, a popular open-source e-commerce platform, displays a notification urging users to take this action for enhanced security. This article will guide you through the process of moving your OpenCart storage directory and address common issues encountered along the way.

Why Move the Storage Directory?

By default, the OpenCart storage directory resides within the web root (e.g., public_html, www, or htdocs). This makes it potentially accessible to malicious actors who could exploit vulnerabilities to access configuration files, cached data, and other sensitive information. Moving the storage directory outside the web root ensures that it is not directly accessible via a web browser, adding a vital layer of security to your OpenCart installation.

Methods for Moving the Storage Directory

There are several ways to relocate your OpenCart storage directory:

1. Automatic Moving: OpenCart may provide an automatic move function within the admin panel. Check your OpenCart version for this feature.

2. Manual Moving (from Admin Panel): Some versions of OpenCart offer a manual move option through the admin interface. Look for this option in the settings or security sections.

3. Manual Moving (By Editing Config Files): This method involves manually adjusting the paths in the config.php files. We'll delve into this method in detail below.

This article focuses on the third method: modifying the config.php files.

Step-by-Step Guide: Manual Moving via Config Files

This is a common and reliable method for moving the storage directory. Follow these steps carefully:

1. Locate the Storage Directory: The storage directory is typically located at system/storage.

2. Move the Directory: Using your hosting file manager or FTP client, move the entire storage directory to a location outside your web root. For example, if your web root is public_html, you might move the storage directory to the same level as public_html.

3. Edit config.php Files: You need to modify two config.php files:

   • config.php (in the root directory of your OpenCart installation)
   • admin/config.php (in the admin directory)

4. Update DIR_STORAGE Constant: Open each config.php file in a text editor and find the line that defines the DIR_STORAGE constant. It will look similar to this:

   define('DIR_STORAGE', 'system/storage/');
   

5. Modify the Path: Change the path to reflect the new location of your storage directory. Crucially, ensure you are replacing the entire DIR_SYSTEM variable and not just appending to it. For example, if you moved the storage directory to /home/yourusername/storage, the line should be updated to:

   define('DIR_STORAGE', '/home/yourusername/storage/');
   

   Important: Use the full server path to the new storage directory.

6. Save the Files: Save both config.php files. Ensure the encoding is set to UTF-8 without BOM (Byte Order Mark) to avoid potential issues.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Weird Errors After Moving: If you encounter errors after moving the directory, double-check the following:

  • Correct Path: Verify that the path in both config.php files is accurate and points to the correct location of the storage directory.
  • File Permissions: Ensure that the web server has the necessary read and write permissions to the storage directory. Typically, this involves setting the owner to the web server user (e.g., www-data, apache) and setting appropriate permissions (e.g., 755 for directories, 644 for files). Consult your hosting provider's documentation for specific instructions.
  • Encoding: Confirm that both config.php files are saved with UTF-8 encoding.
  • Cache: Clear your OpenCart cache and browser cache to ensure that outdated files are not causing conflicts.

• Security Warning Still Appearing: If the security warning persists after moving the directory, ensure that both config.php files have been correctly updated.

• "Layer 8" Errors: As one user humorously pointed out, sometimes the issue is simply overlooking a step. Double-check that you're completely replacing the old path with the new one and not just adding to it.

Hiding the Security Notification (Not Recommended)

While it's possible to hide the security notification by modifying the admin/controller/common/dashboard.php file, this is strongly discouraged. Hiding the notification does not address the underlying security issue. It's far better to properly move the storage directory.

Conclusion

Moving your OpenCart storage directory outside the web root is a vital security measure that protects your store from potential vulnerabilities. By following the steps outlined in this article and carefully troubleshooting any issues, you can significantly enhance the security of your OpenCart installation. Always prioritize security best practices to safeguard your customers' data and your business.