How to Keep VPS Secure?

 VPS is the abbreviation for Virtual Private Server. VPS hosting is a very useful hosting option for your website which uses virtualization technology to enable you to reap the benefits of dedicated resources on a server with more than one user. It is a more reliable and secures solution than shared hosting as you get a dedicated server space exclusively for your use. At the same time it is cheaper and smaller-scale than owning a dedicated server as is the case in dedicating hosting.

VPS hosting is ideal for websites that experience medium-level traffic that goes over the limit offered by a specific shared hosting plan but doesn’t need the resources of dedicated hosting.

VPS hosting makes you avail the services of a virtual server that simulates a physical server but is shared among many users. The server is divided into partitions that allow each user to install his own operating system and software. This makes a Virtual Private Server virtual and private and gives the website owner full control. Almost all of the best Web hosting companies and cloud hosting companies do provide VPS hosting as well.

Your hosting provider takes steps to keep the server secure at all times but you can take certain measures to ensure its security as well. In this article we will have a look at some of these ways.

There are a few ways to ensure the security of your control panel regardless of whether it is a cPanel or Plesk. One of the easiest ways yet often ignored is to use lengthy passwords which makes it more challenging for an automated tool in the software to crack it than when using a simpler password.

Always ensure to have the latest performance patches along with the latest security fixes that give you a more secure server to save it from spam botnet. Plesk and cPanel allow you to update software within their Web interface. Both of these have a Security Advisor tool that helps you in security. Itprovidesto you essential features such as extra firewall tools, encrypting SSL certificate and checks regular server updates.

Let’s look at some specific ways to keep cPanel secure. Make use of CSF (ConfigServer Firewall). This is an excellent add-on for your cPanel servers. It makes the administration work of your firewall extremely easy. It assists in managing IP blocking, whitelisting server-wide and brute force protection. Another important protection tool is CPHulk that ensures the protection of all important system services such as cPanel, email, WHM and SSH.

Now let us go through some essential tips for Plesk. You can install add-ons on your Pleskwhich monitor log files for system services such as email, SSH, Plesk Logins to name a few. This is beneficial for Plesk users to ensure the safety of their end-users.

In Plesk patches are not applied automatically. Rather messages are received on logging in Pleskthat makes you aware of the updates that are available. These need to be installed manually after that. To have the latest security patches for your system packages and Plesk you need to do this on a regular basis. Plesk gives you access to an efficient tool in the tools &settings section of the Plesk interface. Alternatively you can run the Plesk installer over SSH.

Now let us look at some ways to secure Linux VPS. You should use SSH (Secure Shell) while you log into your server as it is the safest way to log into your remote server. Then you should deactivate the root account to disable the root login option. You must create unique user accounts for each user and service on your Linux VPS. Provide them only those permissions that are needed by them to do their tasks and make other permissions inaccessible to them. Make sure to disable all the unnecessary user accounts. Additionally download software only from authentic channels. You must avoid unnecessary services and install and run only those services that you need. Third party services might carry potential threats to your servers security. Configure the permission setting in such a way that allows your site and apps to function efficiently without any threat to your server security.

Finally let us look at the ways to keep Windows VPS secure. First and foremost, use IDS (Intrusion Detection System) to protect your server from cyber threats. It maintains a record of the files that have been changed along with their time and alerts you of anything new  or altered.

Use bastion host which is a special purpose computer available on the network that is configured to withstand cyber attacks. It limits direct access to your server from public network and also reduces the riskof penetration. At the same time enable BitLocker for Server Drive Encryption. This will provide security to your information and protect your Windows VPS from offline attacks to keep your data safe.

You should use alternate ports for common services. The default ports for privileged services are used to break into your server. In order to avoid such attempts you should use alternate ports. It secures your Terminal Server or Remote Desktop Server. You should remove unwanted protocols. You should disable all the unnecessary services and their bindings to reduce threats. You can use a port binding to keep track record of unknown activities on your server.

To conclude, server security should always be a top priority in this day and age when cyber attacks are rampant wherever vulnerabilities exist. Every measure should be taken to keep your server safe at all times after collecting all the relevant information.

Source: https://htswebhosting.wordpress.com/2020/11/28/how-to-keep-vps-secure/