Is Aternos safe?
Last checked:
Yes: Aternos is a real, well-known free Minecraft server host. It's run by a company registered in Germany (Aternos GmbH) and paid for by ads instead of a subscription. Most of the risk doesn't come from Aternos itself. It comes from ads, look-alike sites, and who you give access to your server. Here's how to stay safe.
What's safe about it
- It's free, and you don't need a card to start a server.
- You manage the server in your browser, so there's nothing extra to install on your computer.
- Mods come from Aternos's own library (built from CurseForge and Modrinth). You can't upload random mod files, which also means you can't install a bad one by accident.
The real risks and how to avoid them
- Ads: Aternos is paid for by ads on its site. Don't click ads that promise "free" items or say your PC has a virus. You never need to download anything to use Aternos.
- Look-alike sites: only log in at aternos.org. Fake "Aternos" sites and "free op/ranks" offers exist to steal accounts.
- Your account: use a strong password you don't use anywhere else. Anyone who has your login can delete your server.
- Who you give access to: server access and op let people change settings, run commands and, on some setups, wipe the world. Give them only to people you trust.
- Griefers: turn on the whitelist so only players you add can join.
- Your world: download a copy of your world now and then from the Worlds page, so a mistake or a griefer can't cost you everything.
Is Aternos safe for kids?
The service itself is fine. The things to watch are the same as anywhere online: clicking ads, sharing passwords, and who's allowed on the server. A whitelist plus a parent knowing the login covers most of it.
When free isn't enough
Free hosting has trade-offs. On Aternos, a server stops when nobody is online, so someone has to start it again before others can join. If you'd like a server that stays online with an address that never changes, Packyard is the paid option: Minecraft from $5/month for 3 GB ($1.50 per GB per month, in USD plus applicable taxes). There are no ads in the panel, you get backups, and players join a permanent address like my-server.play.packyard.ca. First-payment refund if something on our side doesn't work (see Refunds). Available in the US and Canada (not Quebec).
Move your world from Aternos · How to add mods to an Aternos server · Minecraft hosting
FAQ
Is Aternos a virus or a scam?
No. It's a real free host run by Aternos GmbH. Just only use aternos.org and don't click ads.
Can Aternos give my computer a virus?
You don't download anything to use Aternos, so not from the service itself. Be careful with ads and with mod files from unknown sites.
Can someone hack my Aternos server?
The usual way in is a shared or stolen password, or an op you gave to the wrong person. Use a unique password, turn on the whitelist and keep your own world backup.
Is Aternos really free?
Yes. It's paid for by ads.
Also see: Move from Aternos, Adding mods on Aternos, Minecraft hosting. Back to Packyard home.
Aternos is a trademark of its owner. Packyard is not affiliated with Aternos. Packyard is not an official Minecraft product and is not affiliated with Mojang.