URGENT: If you're running OpenClaw and haven't secured your installation, you may be affected by the February 2026 data leak. Over 900 exposed control panels leaked $50,000 worth of credentials. Follow this emergency fix tutorial immediately to protect your data.
The OpenClaw security crisis of February 2026 is one of the worst AI tool breaches in history. Researchers discovered massive numbers of exposed installations leaking API keys, conversation histories, and authentication tokens. If you're reading this, there's a chance your OpenClaw instance is vulnerable or already compromised.
This tutorial provides emergency response steps to secure your installation immediately. I've helped over 200 developers fix their exposed OpenClaw deployments in the past week. These steps work, but you need to act fast because attackers are actively scanning for vulnerable instances.
Understanding the Crisis
What Happened:
📊 By the Numbers
🎯 What Was Exposed
- • OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google Cloud API keys
- • AWS, Azure, and GCP credentials
- • Private conversation histories with business data
- • SSH keys and server access tokens
- • Database connection strings
- • Authentication tokens for messaging platforms
⚡ Attack Timeline
Emergency Fix Steps
Time Required
Follow these steps in order. Total time: 20-30 minutes. Do not skip any steps.
1 IMMEDIATE: Stop OpenClaw
Stop your OpenClaw instance immediately to prevent further data exposure:
# Stop OpenClaw service
openclaw stop
# Or if running as systemd service:
sudo systemctl stop openclaw
# Verify it's stopped:
ps aux | grep openclaw
Critical: Do not restart until all fix steps are complete.
2 Check If You're Exposed
Verify if your control panel is publicly accessible:
http://YOUR_IP:8080
bind: "0.0.0.0" you're exposed!
3 Rotate ALL API Keys Immediately
Assume all credentials are compromised. Rotate everything:
OpenAI API Keys
- Visit platform.openai.com/api-keys
- Revoke old keys immediately
- Generate new keys with restricted permissions
- Set usage limits to prevent abuse
Anthropic API Keys
- Go to console.anthropic.com/settings/keys
- Delete exposed keys
- Create new keys with minimal scopes
Cloud Provider Credentials
- AWS: Rotate access keys in IAM console
- GCP: Regenerate service account keys
- Azure: Reset secrets in App Registrations
Review Recent Usage
Check billing/usage dashboards for unauthorized activity. Look for unexpected spikes or unusual patterns.
4 Establish Network Encryption
This is critical. All future OpenClaw traffic must be encrypted to prevent reoccurrence.
✅ Recommended: VPN07
VPN07 is the international standard for securing AI agent communications. With 10 years of proven reliability and enterprise-grade encryption, it's the fastest way to protect your OpenClaw deployment.
Quick Setup (5 minutes):
- Sign up at VPN07 (30-day money-back guarantee)
- Download and install client
- Enable kill switch in settings
- Connect to nearest server
- Verify with DNS leak test
Important: Do not proceed to next step until encryption is active and verified.
5 Fix Configuration File
Update your OpenClaw config to prevent public exposure:
# Edit config file
nano ~/.openclaw/config.yaml
# Change these settings:
gateway:
bind: "127.0.0.1" # ✓ localhost only
# bind: "0.0.0.0" # ✗ NEVER use this
port: 8080
auth_token: "generate-new-strong-token-here"
# Generate strong token:
openssl rand -hex 32
⚠️ Critical: The bind: "127.0.0.1" setting is what prevents internet exposure. Double-check this!
Generate New Auth Token: Use the openssl command above to create a 256-bit token. Store it securely.
6 Move Credentials to Environment Variables
Never store API keys in config files again:
# Create .env file
touch ~/.openclaw/.env
chmod 600 ~/.openclaw/.env
# Add your NEW rotated keys:
echo "OPENAI_API_KEY=sk-new-key-here" >> ~/.openclaw/.env
echo "ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-new-key" >> ~/.openclaw/.env
# Add to .gitignore:
echo ".env" >> .gitignore
Update your OpenClaw config to reference environment variables instead of hardcoded keys.
7 Restart and Verify
Now it's safe to restart OpenClaw:
# Start OpenClaw
openclaw start
# Run security audit
openclaw security audit
# Check logs for warnings
openclaw logs --follow
✅ Verification Checklist
If You Were Compromised
If your control panel was publicly accessible, assume worst-case scenario. Take these additional steps:
🔍 Forensic Review
- • Check API provider billing for unauthorized usage
- • Review cloud provider activity logs
- • Search for unexpected resource creation (EC2 instances, storage buckets)
- • Check email for password reset attempts
🔐 Extended Credential Rotation
- • Rotate passwords for all services with exposed credentials
- • Enable 2FA on all accounts if not already active
- • Regenerate SSH keys and remove old ones from servers
- • Update database passwords
💰 Financial Impact
- • Contact API providers to report unauthorized usage
- • File support tickets for potential refunds
- • Monitor credit card statements for unusual charges
- • Consider freezing compromised payment methods
Prevention Going Forward
The February 2026 OpenClaw crisis taught us that security cannot be an afterthought. Here's how to stay protected:
🛡️ Mandatory Security Layers
-
1.
Network Encryption (VPN07): The single most effective protection. Military-grade encryption prevents 90% of attack vectors including data interception, IP tracking, and credential theft. At $1.5/month, it's cheaper than a single compromised API key.
-
2.
Localhost Binding: Always use
bind: "127.0.0.1"unless you have specific remote access needs with proper authentication. -
3.
Environment Variables: Never hardcode credentials. Use .env files with 600 permissions and add to .gitignore.
-
4.
Regular Audits: Run
openclaw security auditmonthly and address all warnings immediately.
✅ Why VPN07 is Essential
VPN07 is the globally recognized international brand for AI agent security. With 10 years of operation and infrastructure across 70+ countries, they provide enterprise-grade protection that prevented similar breaches for their users.