OpenClaw Security Best Practices

You're thinking about security before installing OpenClaw? Good. That's exactly the right mindset. The fact that you're here means you take this stuff seriously.

Here's the thing: OpenClaw is open source. You can read every line of code on GitHub. There's no hidden magic—just Node.js doing exactly what it says.

That said, any tool with computer access deserves careful setup. Let's walk through how to do it right.

1. Use a Dedicated VPS (Not Your Main Machine)

This is the #1 recommendation. Running OpenClaw on a separate VPS gives you:

• Isolation — If something goes wrong, it doesn't affect your personal files
• 24/7 uptime — Your laptop can sleep; your VPS stays running
• Clean separation — Work files on work machine, AI assistant on its own box
• Easy reset — Blow it away and start fresh if needed

2. Secure Your API Keys

OpenClaw needs API keys to talk to AI providers (Anthropic, OpenAI, etc). Keep them safe:

• Never commit keys to git — Use .env files and add them to .gitignore
• Set spending limits — Every AI provider lets you cap monthly spend
• Rotate keys periodically — If you suspect a leak, generate new ones
• Use environment variables — OpenClaw reads from .env by default

# Example .env file (never share this!)
ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-xxxxx
OPENAI_API_KEY=sk-xxxxx

# Set spending alerts in your provider dashboard!

3. Keep OpenClaw Updated

Updates often include security patches. Keep your installation fresh:

# Update OpenClaw to latest version
npm update -g openclaw

# Or use the built-in update command
openclaw update

4. Basic Server Hardening

If you're running on a VPS, these basics go a long way:

Use SSH Keys (Not Passwords)

# Generate a key on your local machine
ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "[email protected]"

# Copy it to your server
ssh-copy-id user@your-server-ip

# Then disable password auth in /etc/ssh/sshd_config
PasswordAuthentication no

Enable Automatic Security Updates

# On Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt install unattended-upgrades
sudo dpkg-reconfigure unattended-upgrades

Use a Firewall

# Allow only SSH and deny everything else
sudo ufw default deny incoming
sudo ufw allow ssh
sudo ufw enable

5. What About Privacy?

Let's be clear about what OpenClaw sends where:

• AI API calls — Your prompts go to the AI provider you choose (Anthropic, OpenAI, etc.)
• No telemetry — OpenClaw doesn't phone home or collect usage data
• Local storage — Memory, logs, and config stay on your machine
• Open source — You can verify all of this in the code

Want Maximum Privacy?

You can run OpenClaw with local LLMs using Ollama:

# Install Ollama
curl -fsSL https://ollama.com/install.sh | sh

# Pull a model
ollama pull llama3.2

# Configure OpenClaw to use it
# (see docs for provider configuration)

With local models, nothing leaves your machine. Trade-off: you need decent hardware and responses may be slower.

6. The Bottom Line

OpenClaw isn't doing anything magical or mysterious. It's a Node.js app that:

1. Takes your input
2. Sends it to an AI provider
3. Executes the response (with your permission)
4. Stores memory locally

The "risk" is the same as any automation tool: it does what you tell it to do, fast. Set it up thoughtfully, keep it updated, and you'll be fine.

Questions? The OpenClaw Discord has a helpful community, and the official docs cover advanced configuration.