How can I configure nginx to ignore unnecessary domains? Currently, it is accepting all domains for some reason. Even when I tried to specify my domain in the configuration file, nginx still accepts all other domains.

I attempted to use the following code snippet to block any incoming requests from unknown domains:

```
server {
 listen 80 default;
 server_name _;
 access_log /dev/null;
 error_log /dev/null;
 return 444;
}
```

Can you suggest any other methods to prevent nginx from accepting unwanted domains?

Specify the desired server_name.

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I suggest adding the following code:

location = / {
return 444;
}

It is worth noting that this code performs a specific function and can be useful in processing HTTP requests. However, it is necessary to take into account possible negative consequences of its application and check its compatibility with other parts of the code.

If the intention is not to protect from ddos, it is still preferable to issue a code and not 444, in the event that there is no 404 domain available.

It is crucial to have proper error handling in website development to ensure a smooth user experience. Error codes such as 404 or 444 are used to indicate to users that a requested page or resource is unavailable. In the absence of a 404 domain, alternative error codes should be used to avoid confusion and maintain website integrity.

To configure nginx to ignore unnecessary domains, you can use the server block configuration method. Instead of using the "default" server block, you can create a separate server block specifically for your domain, and then use a wildcard server_name directive to block any requests from unknown domains. Here is an example:

server {
    listen 80;
    server_name example.com;
   
    // Your other configuration settings here
   
    // Handle requests from known domains
   
}

server {
    listen 80 default_server;
    server_name _;
   
    access_log /dev/null;
    error_log /dev/null;
   
    return 444;
   
    // Handle requests from unknown domains
}

In this example, the first server block handles requests specifically for your domain (example.com), while the second server block with the "default_server" parameter is used to handle requests from unknown domains. The return statement with the status code 444 ensures that any incoming requests to unknown domains are rejected.

If the previous configuration doesn't work as expected, there are a few additional troubleshooting steps you can try:

1. Double-check your nginx configuration file syntax: Ensure that there are no syntax errors or typos in your configuration file. You can use the `nginx -t` command to test the configuration file's syntax.

2. Check for conflicting server blocks: Make sure there are no other server blocks that might be intercepting requests before they reach your intended server block. Nginx matches the most specific server block based on the server_name directive, so if you have a more specific server block that matches the incoming request, it will be used instead.

3. Use a separate server block for each domain: Instead of using a wildcard server_name directive, you can explicitly define a server block for each domain you want to accept. This ensures that only requests for those specific domains are accepted, and requests for other domains are rejected.

4. Test with different browsers or devices: Sometimes, browser caching or DNS resolution issues can lead to unexpected results. Try accessing your server from different browsers or devices to ensure that the behavior is consistent.

5. Review other nginx modules: If you're using additional nginx modules or plugins, check their configurations for any settings that might override the desired behavior.

One possible solution is to use the server_name_in_redirect directive to specify the domain name for redirects, and then use the server_name directive to specify the domain name for the server block. This can help to ensure that nginx only serves requests for the specified domain.

Another approach is to use the geo module to block requests from specific IP addresses or countries. This can be useful if you're experiencing issues with specific IP addresses or countries.

It's also important to note that the _ wildcard in the server_name directive is not a catch-all wildcard, but rather a literal underscore character. If you want to catch all domains, you can use the server_name directive with a wildcard character (*) instead.

Here's an example of how you can use the server_name directive with a wildcard character:

server {
    listen 80;
    server_name *.example.com;
    # configuration for example.com
}
This will match all domains that end with .example.com.