---
title: "Allowing Remote Database Access"
source: "https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/server-administration/database-management/allowing-remote-database-access/"
description: "Remote database access may be needed for third-party apps but is disabled by default due to security risks. Learn when and how to enable it safely."
vertical: "Hosting"
date: "2024-03-04"
last_modified: "2026-07-02"
---

# Allowing Remote Database Access

Allowing remote database access means other IP addresses (servers) can connect to your website’s databases. This may be necessary if you use a third-party application to manage your databases, your ecommerce presence, or your backups.

Remote database access is not allowed by default because it presents a security risk. Because databases are vital to most modern websites, it makes sense to disallow remote database access by default. If one of your database users has a weak password, your whole database, and potentially your whole website, could be compromised if remote access is available.

You can allow remote database access for:

- [cPanel servers](#cPanel)
- [Plesk servers](#Plesk)

## Allowing Remote MySQL Access in cPanel

1. Log into your website’s cPanel account.
2. In the **Databases** section, click on **[Remote MySQL](https://www.liquidweb.com/help-docs/enable-remote-mysql-connections-in-cpanel/)**.  
    ![remote mysql link highlighted](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/help.liquidweb.com_WKMUQb.png)
3. In the **Host** field, enter the IP address you’re allowing access for and click **Add Host**. Continue adding IP addresses until you’ve whitelisted all of the IPs you need.  
    ![gif showing ip address entered in host section](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/help.liquidweb.com_jJ8xU5.webp)

Once you’ve added the necessary IPs, test to see if you can connect to the database as required by your third-party application. If you can’t connect, you will need to also whitelist the IPs in your firewall and [allow those IPs to access port 3306](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/security/firewall-management/configserver-security-firewall-csf/allowing-port-access-by-ip-address-in-csf/).

## Allowing Remote Database Access in Plesk

Plesk allows remote connections based on each database user. When you allow remote access for a database user, make sure that user has a strong password and you are using those user credentials to connect to MySQL remotely. If you use a different user, you won’t be able to connect!

1. Log into your website’s Plesk account.
2. In the left navigation menu, click on **Databases**. (If you use Service Provider view, click on **Domains** and select the domain you need, then click on **Databases** on the right hand side.)
3. You’ll see a list of all your databases. Click on **User Management**.  
    ![user management section highlighted](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/help.liquidweb.com_QnVNcu.png)
4. Click on the database user you’ll use to access your database remotely.  
    ![database user name highlighted](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/help.liquidweb.com_517BuR.webp)
5. Find **Access control**. Use the radio buttons to either **Allow remote connections from any host** or **Allow remote connections from**. If you will be allowing remote connections just from certain hosts, enter the hostnames or IP addresses you want to have access.  
    ![allow remote connections from IP selected](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/help.liquidweb.com_eXZOht.webp)
6. When you’ve chosen your settings, click **Apply**.  
    ![apply button highlighted](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/help.liquidweb.com_NlPEqa.webp)

Once you’ve added the necessary IPs, test to see if you can connect to the database as required by your third-party application. If you can’t connect, you will need to also whitelist the IPs in your firewall and [confirm that port 3306 is open](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/security/firewall-management/configserver-security-firewall-csf/allowing-port-access-by-ip-address-in-csf/).