Discord Community Security Checklist: Prevent Every Threat
Security is not something you set up once and forget. It is an ongoing process that requires regular reviews, updates, and improvements. This checklist provides a comprehensive, actionable framework for Discord server operators who want to protect their community from every major threat category.
Use this as a living document. Print it, bookmark it, or save it — and review it monthly. Each item includes the threat it addresses, the action required, and the priority level. For detailed implementation guidance on any item, refer to our Complete Discord Security Guide.
🔴 Critical Priority (Do Today)
These items address the most common and damaging threats. If you do nothing else, do these.
Verification and Access Control
- ☐ Enable human verification for all new members. Block bot accounts before they enter your community. Use XOE's human verification for multi-signal analysis. Threat: Bot raids, fake accounts, automated scams.
- ☐ Set Discord verification level to at least "Medium" (registered account for 5+ minutes). Server Settings → Safety Setup. Threat: Instant-join bot raids.
- ☐ Create a quarantine system. New members should only see #rules and #verification until verified. No access to community channels. Threat: Content scraping, spam before verification.
- ☐ Remove @everyone and @here permissions from default roles. Only trusted roles should be able to mass-mention. Threat: Ping spam, panic-inducing fake announcements.
Permission Lockdown
- ☐ Audit every role for Administrator permission. Remove Administrator from all roles except the server owner's role. Threat: Full server compromise if any admin-role account is hacked.
- ☐ Audit bot permissions. Every bot should have only the permissions it needs. Remove unnecessary ones. See our Bot Security Guide. Threat: Bot compromise leading to server takeover.
- ☐ Enable 2FA requirement for moderation actions. Server Settings → Safety Setup → Require 2FA for moderator actions. Threat: Account takeover leading to mod actions.
Link and Content Protection
- ☐ Enable link scanning. Install XOE LinkGuard to automatically scan and remove malicious links. Threat: Phishing, malware, wallet drainers.
- ☐ Enable Discord AutoMod. Set up rules for spam, mention spam, and suspicious links. Server Settings → AutoMod. Threat: Spam flooding, scam messages.
- ☐ Disable link embeds for unverified members. Prevent new accounts from posting rich embeds that can be used for convincing phishing. Threat: Fake giveaway embeds, impersonation.
🟡 High Priority (This Week)
Role Architecture
- ☐ Implement a clear role hierarchy. Owner → Admin → Senior Mod → Mod → Trusted → Verified → Unverified. Each level has progressively fewer permissions. Threat: Permission escalation, unauthorized actions.
- ☐ Separate moderation permissions. Create distinct roles for different mod functions (mute, kick, ban, manage messages) rather than one "moderator" role with everything. Threat: Compromised mod account gaining full control.
- ☐ Use channel-specific permission overrides. Instead of server-wide permissions, set per-channel permissions where possible. Threat: Excessive access to sensitive channels.
- ☐ Limit who can create invites. Only verified or trusted members should be able to create invite links. Threat: Bot operators generating invites for raid purposes.
Webhook and Integration Security
- ☐ Audit all webhooks. Server Settings → Integrations → Webhooks. Remove any you do not recognize. Threat: Unauthorized message posting, impersonation.
- ☐ Regenerate webhook URLs if uncertain. If any webhook URL may have been leaked, regenerate it. Threat: External actors posting via your webhooks.
- ☐ Review all bot integrations. List every bot in your server. Remove any you no longer use. Check each bot's website for security updates. Threat: Abandoned or compromised bots.
Communication Channels
- ☐ Establish official announcement channels. Clearly mark which channels are for official communications. Consider locking these channels so only admins can post. Threat: Fake announcements, social engineering.
- ☐ Recommend members disable DMs from server members. Post a guide in #rules showing how to disable DMs. Threat: DM phishing, fake giveaways, impersonation.
- ☐ Create a #report-scams channel. Give members a clear way to report suspicious activity. Threat: Unreported threats spreading unchecked.
🟢 Standard Priority (This Month)
Monitoring and Logging
- ☐ Review audit log weekly. Check for unexpected role changes, channel modifications, member bans, and permission updates. Threat: Undetected compromise or insider threats.
- ☐ Set up a private #mod-log channel. Log all moderation actions with timestamps and reasons. Threat: Unaccountable moderation, missed patterns.
- ☐ Monitor join rate. Set up alerts for unusual spikes in new members (could indicate incoming raid). Threat: Bot raids, coordinated attacks.
- ☐ Track security incidents. Maintain a log of all security events (spam, phishing attempts, compromised accounts) with dates and resolutions. Threat: Repeating the same mistakes, no improvement.
Member Education
- ☐ Create a security awareness post. Pin a message explaining common scams, how to identify phishing, and what to do if targeted. Threat: Members falling for preventable scams.
- ☐ Explain admin impersonation. Tell members that admins will NEVER DM asking for passwords, tokens, or wallet connections. Threat: Admin impersonation scams.
- ☐ Post periodic security reminders. Monthly reminders about new scam tactics, 2FA importance, and reporting procedures. Threat: Security awareness decay over time.
Backup and Recovery
- ☐ Document your server structure. Record all channels, roles, permissions, and settings. If your server is destroyed, you can rebuild faster. Threat: Total server wipe from compromised admin.
- ☐ Have a recovery plan. Document who to contact, what to do first, and how to communicate with members if your server is compromised. Threat: Panic and poor decisions during an incident.
- ☐ Back up important content. If your server contains valuable content (guides, resources, analysis), keep copies outside Discord. Threat: Content loss from channel deletion.
🔁 Ongoing Maintenance (Regular Schedule)
Weekly
- ☐ Review Discord audit log for suspicious activity
- ☐ Check for new security advisories from bots you use
- ☐ Review and respond to any reports in #report-scams
Monthly
- ☐ Full bot audit (permissions, necessity, updates)
- ☐ Role permission audit (any drift from intended settings?)
- ☐ Webhook audit (remove unused, regenerate if needed)
- ☐ Post security awareness reminder
- ☐ Review and update this checklist
Quarterly
- ☐ Comprehensive security review (test all defenses)
- ☐ Update moderator training on new threats
- ☐ Review recovery plan and update contacts
- ☐ Evaluate new security tools and best practices
Special Checklist: Paid Communities
If you run a paid community, add these items:
- ☐ Verify payments on-chain. Use XOE for automated payment verification. No fake payment screenshots. Threat: Payment fraud.
- ☐ Human verification for all paid members. Not just free members — verify paid members are real too. Threat: Bots purchasing access to scrape.
- ☐ Automatic role revocation on payment expiry. Ensure access is removed immediately when payments lapse. Threat: Unauthorized continued access.
- ☐ Monitor for content leaking. Watch for screenshots of premium content appearing externally. Threat: Content theft, revenue loss.
- ☐ Use crypto payments where possible. Eliminates chargeback fraud entirely. Threat: Chargeback abuse.
Special Checklist: Crypto Communities
Additional items for crypto/Web3 communities:
- ☐ Block all wallet connection links except official ones. Fake wallet connect pages are the #1 attack vector. Threat: Wallet draining.
- ☐ Verify token gating properly. Ensure token gating verifies actual wallet ownership. Threat: Spoofed holdings.
- ☐ Never share contract addresses in DMs. All official contract addresses should be in pinned messages only. Threat: Fake contract scams.
- ☐ Pin official links. Pin all legitimate project links (website, dApp, contract, socials) in a visible channel. Threat: Impersonation sites.
- ☐ Enable maximum link scanning. Every link in a crypto community should be scanned. The cost of one successful phishing attack far exceeds the cost of link scanning. Threat: Wallet drainers, phishing.
Implementation Priority
If you are starting from scratch, implement in this order:
- Human verification (blocks 90% of threats at the door)
- Permission lockdown (limits damage from any compromise)
- Link scanning (catches what gets through verification)
- AutoMod configuration (automated content filtering)
- Monitoring setup (detect threats early)
- Member education (empower your community to self-defend)
- Recovery planning (prepare for worst case)
Each step builds on the previous one. Do not skip to step 5 without completing steps 1-4.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does it take to fully secure a Discord server?
The critical items (verification, permissions, link scanning) can be implemented in 1-2 hours. The full checklist takes 4-6 hours for initial setup and then 1-2 hours per month for ongoing maintenance. Security is never "done" — it is an ongoing process.
Q: What is the most important security measure for Discord?
Human verification. It blocks bot raids, fake accounts, and automated attacks at the entry point. If you only implement one thing, make it human verification. XOE provides this as a built-in feature.
Q: Do I need to pay for Discord security tools?
XOE's human verification and link scanning are included in the platform (no additional subscription). Discord's built-in AutoMod is free. The most important security measures cost nothing beyond your time to configure them properly.
Q: How do I know if my Discord server has been compromised?
Check the audit log for unexpected actions (role changes, channel deletions, new webhooks). Watch for unusual bot behavior, sudden spikes in member reports, messages from "admins" you do not recognize, or members reporting phishing DMs. Regular audit log review catches most compromises early.
Q: Should I re-verify existing members when adding verification?
Yes, if possible. Bots may already be in your server from before verification was enabled. Consider running a re-verification event where all members must verify within a set timeframe to keep their access.
Q: What is the minimum security for a small Discord server?
Even small servers need: human verification, basic permission structure (no unnecessary Administrator), link scanning, and AutoMod. Small communities are often targeted specifically because attackers expect less security.
Q: How do I train my moderators on security?
Share this checklist and the Complete Security Guide. Conduct a walkthrough of your server's security setup. Run mock scenarios (what do you do if X happens?). Update training quarterly as new threats emerge.
Q: Can I automate Discord security?
Yes, significantly. XOE automates human verification, link scanning, and role management. Discord AutoMod automates content filtering. Together, they handle 80-90% of security tasks automatically. Your role is oversight, configuration, and handling edge cases that automation catches but cannot resolve.