# Shields Guard Installation

### 🚀 Site Setup Guide – “Create Site” Process

The **Create Site** process in ShieldsGuard allows users to onboard and prepare a new domain for protection. While the platform handles much of the technical work automatically, there are critical steps the user must complete to ensure full security enforcement — especially for DDoS and WAF modules.

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#### 🧭 Step 1: Click “Create Site”

From the main dashboard, click the **Create Site** button to begin. This option is located in the Welcome panel and acts as the entry point for setting up a new domain.

<figure><img src="https://1888569782-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fj6f1XtdOtNUZVCRH9J44%2Fuploads%2FMqOXwT3dRVj91PTkiwlw%2Fcs.png?alt=media&#x26;token=23cf89c4-8350-4923-abb3-75bcad2b2b55" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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#### 🌐 Step 2: Enter Domain Name

You’ll be prompted to enter the domain name you wish to protect (e.g., `example.com`). Once submitted, click **Create Site** to continue.

<figure><img src="https://1888569782-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fj6f1XtdOtNUZVCRH9J44%2Fuploads%2FoLK1BNbDBIdNceU0MWIR%2Fcs-2.png?alt=media&#x26;token=6777ef75-7fac-4a77-8b5f-95334ef3f0ae" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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#### 📦 Step 3: Choose a Plan

You’ll be presented with available protection plans:

**✳️ Start-Up Plan**

* Basic DDoS detection and Web Application Firewall access
* Designed for budget-friendly, smaller websites

**🚀 Enterprise Plan**

* Full security suite, including advanced WAF and tailored protection
* Recommended for production environments or large-scale platforms

🆓 A 14-day free trial is available for all new domains.

<figure><img src="https://1888569782-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fj6f1XtdOtNUZVCRH9J44%2Fuploads%2FO0a95n1X8SfmilGPTnHb%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=a64ec84a-a08c-4391-a3f2-0cf4a985831c" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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#### 💳 Step 4: Billing & Trial Activation

You’ll see a summary of the selected plan:

* Trial Duration: 14 days
* Total Amount Due: **$0.00**
* Proceed by clicking **Start Trial**

The site will now begin provisioning.

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#### 🛠️ Step 5: Enter Hosting IP Address

You will be asked to provide the **IP address of the web server** hosting your domain.

📥 Enter the IP (e.g., `192.0.2.14`) and click **Save**.

<figure><img src="https://1888569782-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fj6f1XtdOtNUZVCRH9J44%2Fuploads%2FM2YhfOAATpkjjk0wb1Qu%2Fcs-3.png?alt=media&#x26;token=a25db5b6-1ae4-4a91-babe-6106fed5e8b8" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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#### ⚙️ Step 6: Site Creation in Progress

Once the domain is accepted, the system will automatically begin:

* ✔️ Creating the site record
* ✔️ Applying DNS routing logic
* ✔️ Initializing configuration settings

You will see a progress screen indicating status updates.

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#### 🔐 Step 7: DNS & SSL Notices

If your domain is not yet using ShieldsGuard nameservers, you will receive the following notice:

```
Your nameservers are being processed. SSL cannot be created until this process is complete.
ns1: guard.ns.shieldsguard.com
ns2: shields.ns.shieldsguard.com
```

DNS must be correctly pointed for SSL to be issued and fully enable HTTPS traffic.

<figure><img src="https://1888569782-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fj6f1XtdOtNUZVCRH9J44%2Fuploads%2FFuUQYi29sqNCLTMkpl7h%2Fcs-4.png?alt=media&#x26;token=f04c3a8a-f3a9-45ab-991c-8e3c8b666951" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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### ⚠️ Important Notes

| ⚠️ Configuration Step                  | Requirement                                                                                               |
| -------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| 🔒 **DDoS Protection**                 | **Not active by default**. You must manually configure this in **Protection > DDoS Protection** settings. |
| 🛡️ **WAF (Web Application Firewall)** | **Disabled by default**. You must activate it under **Protection > WAF**.                                 |
| 🌐 **DNS Propagation**                 | SSL and protection may be delayed until DNS settings are properly applied.                                |

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### ✅ After Setup

Once all configurations are complete and traffic starts flowing:

* ShieldsGuard begins monitoring your domain
* Logging and analytics activate automatically
* You can fine-tune **rate limiting**, **filter rules**, and **IP access**
* You should now proceed to activate WAF & DDoS Protection from the **Protection Panel**

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#### 📋 Quick Checklist

| Task                         | Status                        |
| ---------------------------- | ----------------------------- |
| Domain Added                 | ✅                             |
| Trial Activated              | ✅                             |
| Hosting IP Configured        | ✅                             |
| SSL Issued (if DNS complete) | 🟡 Pending                    |
| DDoS Protection Activated    | ❌ Must be configured manually |
| WAF Enabled                  | ❌ Disabled by default         |

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> 🎯 The Create Site process gives you a fast start — but enabling full protection requires a few manual steps. Don’t forget to activate DDoS protection and WAF before going live.