A VPS or Virtual Private Server is known for offering a full-blown server’s advantages without any hindrance. By leveraging a VPS, one gets complete control of his servers, without any additional need for managing the network settings and configuration. With VPS Hosting, the user also doesn’t need to worry about maintaining its physical servers, as it is looked after by the VPS hosting provider.
However, with so many cyberattacks taking place every day, a user needs to secure the VPS systems against these. Thus, as an alert user, it is essential to identify various threats and ensure the robust and complete security of his VPS Servers.
VPS Security Tips
- Modifying the Default SSH Login SSH or Secure Shell is a method that is commonly used by many VPS users for logging into their servers through remote computer connections. If you persistently use this method for logging into the servers, there are high chances that it might become a brute-force attack target. Whenever there is a “brute-force attack,” cyber-attackers try to login to the SSH using combinations of the most common password. Thus, to avoid all such brute-force attacks, bodHOST strongly recommends you change the default SSH Port 22 password from default to a customized yet tricky to guess one. If you look to change the default SSH Login Password, log in to your VPS server and look for the file- /etc/ssh/sshd_config. Once you have identified the file, you need to change the PermitRootLogin from the default YES to NO. Remember, you may lock yourself from your VPS Server account when you are disabling the root login credentials without pre-assigning authorized access.
- Use The Latest Software We have time and again recommended strongly to use the latest versions of software that you use. An older software version makes your VPS Servers more vulnerable. However, you can perform the required updates for your OS through just a few mouse clicks. You can use the apt-get for Ubuntu and yum/rpm for your CentOS to update your server’s OS automatically. This can be done with cron jobs, which is a Linux-based utility for scheduling a command/script on the VPS server to perform the update at a defined time and date through the server’s control panel. Also, if you are using a CMS, it is recommended that you keep a close watch on their latest updates and install them as they become available.
- Restrict All Unwanted Services With a VPS server, you get complete ownership of your servers, and you can run various services on a single system. It is advised that you always install and run those services that you think are actually needed. Every third-party service you use for VPS servers may possess hidden threats that can hamper its performance. If you wish to add new and essential services, make sure that you only download them from trusted sources. Unauthorized or untrusted sources might bring in malware to your servers.
- Set Up Permission Settings The broadness of your permission settings is directly related to the ease you and your users can interact with your websites. These broadened permissions might not be that secure, making the permission task to be tricky. Thus, you must find the right balance that will allow your websites and apps to function smoothly without incurring any security challenges. To deploy this balance, you need to define default permissions for each new file. Make sure to create enough defaults for them, and these file permissions should be related to your specific needs as well as usage.
- Track Your Server Logs When you manage and track your server logs, you can stay in control of what is happening with your VPS server. By constantly tracking the VPS system and software, you get well-prepared to face any issues that might accidentally pop up. Be it preventing or resolving errors, you get well aware of various issues present before you and how you can solve them with ease. To regularly monitor these logs, you can set up email notifications in case of any upcoming warnings, threats, or errors.
- Secure Your Server Against Malware Besides adding a firewall, you must make sure that you monitor the files that are already uploaded or will be uploaded on the server in case of vulnerabilities. This is the reason why you need to have solid antivirus software installed on your VPS, as its signatures are updated continuously. Using antiviruses are a proven method for determining any suspicious activity and isolate unnecessary files.
- Disabling the Root Access To make sure that your VPS server remains secure at all times, make sure to deactivate the root login option. In place of using root access, you could also gain the benefits of pseudo access. It is recommended that you create unique user accounts for every user and service on your VPS server. Creating individual and unique user accounts will provide them the required permissions for carrying out their assigned tasks. Lastly, make sure that permissions and privileges remain inaccessible to other non-admin users, resulting in avoiding any chances of the server’s security getting compromised.
- Take Regular Backups As a general practice, you should always take regular backups to ensure data is replicated easily in an unforeseen event. It would be best to take backups outside the server to reduce any mishap events related to your servers. An off-site or remote backup from a trusted provider helps quickly replicate data without incurring any downtime.
Concluding Remarks
You must secure VPS servers at all times. Securing VPS with appropriate methods like the ones discussed in this article ensures your website runs smoothly without any hindrances.
If you want secure VPS Hosting, reach out to team bodHOST today.