Connect Akto with Internet Information Services (IIS)

Microsoft IIS (Internet Information Services) is a widely used web server for hosting web applications on Windows. Integrating IIS with Akto enables you to automatically mirror API traffic (including headers and payloads) to the Akto backend, empowering deep visibility and continuous API security analysis.

To connect Akto with your IIS server, follow the steps below:

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Step 1: Deploy the Akto Data-Ingestion Service

Before configuring the IIS Traffic Connector, you need to deploy the Akto Data-Ingestion Service. Ensure that the service is running and accessible via a publicly available URL.

1.1 Download the Required Files

SSH into the instance where you want to deploy the data-ingestion service and run these commands:

wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/akto-api-security/infra/refs/heads/feature/quick-setup/docker-compose-mini-runtime-data-ingestion.yaml
wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/akto-api-security/infra/refs/heads/feature/quick-setup/data-ingestion-docker.env
wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/akto-api-security/infra/refs/heads/feature/quick-setup/docker-threat-detection.env
wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/akto-api-security/infra/refs/heads/feature/quick-setup/docker-mini-runtime.env
wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/akto-api-security/infra/refs/heads/feature/quick-setup/watchtower.env

1.2 Retrieve the DATABASE_ABSTRACTOR_SERVICE_TOKEN

• Log in to the Akto Dashboard

• Navigate to the Quick Start tab in the left panel

  
• Select Hybrid SaaS Connector

  
• Copy the token from the Runtime Service Command section

1.3 Update the docker-mini-runtime.env File

Open the docker-mini-runtime.env file and replace token with the token you just copied:

DATABASE_ABSTRACTOR_SERVICE_TOKEN=token

1.4 Deploy the Data-Ingestion Service

Run the following command:

docker-compose -f docker-compose-mini-runtime-data-ingestion.yaml up -d

1.5 Note the IP Address of the Data-Ingestion Service

Ensure this IP is reachable from your IIS server. You will need this to forward the traffic data to Akto.

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Step 2: Install the IIS Traffic Connector

Akto provides a native IIS module that can capture HTTP request and response headers and payloads. This module supports both 64-bit and 32-bit environments.

👉 Important: You must download and use only one DLL — either 64-bit or 32-bit depending on your system. Regardless of which one you choose, always rename it to AktoNativeIisTrafficCollector.dll, move it to C:\akto_configs, and use that same name everywhere.

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2.1 Prepare Configuration File

1. Create a folder at the root of your C drive:

   mkdir C:\akto_configs

2. Inside it, create a file named config.json with the following content:

   {
     "backendUrl": "http://DATA-INGESTION-SERVICE-URL:9091/api/ingestData",
     "logLevel": "INFO",
     "maxPayloadSize": 1048576,
     "maxQueueSize": 1000
   }

   Replace DATA-INGESTION-SERVICE-URL with the address of your deployed Akto ingestion service.

   Configuration Fields:

   • backendUrl - The URL of your Akto data-ingestion service endpoint

   • logLevel - Controls the logging verbosity. Accepted values: INFO, WARN, NONE, ERROR, or DEBUG

   • maxPayloadSize - Maximum size (in bytes) of request + response to capture. Only traffic with total size less than this value will be captured. Example: 1048576 for 1MB

   • maxQueueSize - Maximum number of requests to store in memory before flushing to Akto. Controls memory usage and batch size

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2.2 Install the Module Globally (Recommended)

You need to register the Akto IIS module globally so it applies to all websites.

1. Download the correct DLL for your environment (pick only one). You can also simply paste the link in browser and download the DLL file.

   # For 64-bit IIS
   Invoke-WebRequest -Uri https://github.com/akto-api-security/iis-collector-native-module/raw/refs/heads/master/x64/Release/AktoNativeIisTrafficCollector.dll -OutFile C:\akto_configs\AktoNativeIisTrafficCollector.dll
   
   # For 32-bit IIS
   Invoke-WebRequest -Uri https://github.com/akto-api-security/iis-collector-native-module/raw/refs/heads/master/x86/Release/AktoNativeIisTrafficCollector.dll -OutFile C:\akto_configs\AktoNativeIisTrafficCollector.dll

2. Open an elevated command prompt (Administrator) and run the following commands:

   %windir%\system32\inetsrv\appcmd.exe install module /name:AktoTrafficConnector /image:"C:\akto_configs\AktoNativeIisTrafficCollector.dll" /add:true
   %windir%\system32\inetsrv\appcmd.exe set config /section:system.webServer/globalModules /+[name='AktoNativeIisTrafficCollector',image='C:\akto_configs\AktoNativeIisTrafficCollector.dll']
   %windir%\system32\inetsrv\appcmd.exe list config /section:system.webServer/globalModules

   These commands:

   • Register the AktoTrafficConnector module in IIS

   • Add it for all sites so that traffic from every hosted website is mirrored

   • Explicitly add AktoNativeIisTrafficCollector to the global modules section

   • List all registered global modules for verification

3. Restart your IIS server:

   iisreset

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2.3 Add Module to a Specific Website Only (Alternative Method)

If you want to install the module for just one website, follow these steps:

1. Copy the correct DLL into a directory named bin under your site’s root folder (e.g., C:\inetpub\wwwroot\MySite\bin).

2. Update the web.config of that website:

<configuration>
  <system.webServer>
    <modules>
      <add name="AktoTrafficConnector" image="C:\inetpub\wwwroot\MySite\bin\AktoNativeIisTrafficCollector.dll" />
    </modules>
  </system.webServer>
</configuration>

1. Ensure the app pool identity has read access to this folder and its DLLs.

2. Restart your IIS server:

   iisreset

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Step 3: Verify the Integration

Once installed:

1. Make a few requests to your IIS-hosted APIs.

2. In your Akto dashboard, go to the API Collections tab and confirm that traffic is appearing.

If no traffic is appearing, check:

• IIS logs for module load errors.

• Check logs in C:\akto_configs\logs\log_20xx.txt

• Akto Data-Ingestion Service logs to ensure it’s receiving traffic.

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Get Support for your Akto setup

There are multiple ways to request support from Akto. We are 24×7 available through the following:

1. In-app Intercom support — message us via the chat icon in the Akto dashboard.

2. Join our Discord channel for community support.

3. Email us at [email protected].

4. Visit our Contact page.