A VPS (Virtual Private Server) functions as a web server, and caters to the users of VPS Hosting, which is one of the types of web hosting services. A Virtual Private Server offers a cost-effective solution for hosting that ensures augmented speed, security, stability and performance. That’s why it has emerged as a popular choice for those availing web hosting services, and is being provided extensively by all professional web hosting companies.
VPS
hosting, which utilizes Virtual Private Servers, can be availed through various
plans from any top-notch web hosting company, such as HTS Hosting, in the form
of either Managed VPS or Unmanaged VPS. Let us now elaborate on VPS and how it
functions, prior to describing the ways in which the security of VPS can be
bolstered.
Virtual
Private Servers
As
mentioned previously, a Virtual Private Server (VPS) is a type of web server.
Hence, its main role is to accept and fulfil requests for content (HTML pages,
videos, images, etc.) of websites made by clients, which are browsers and
mobile applications. These requests are conveyed through Hypertext Transfer
Protocol messages (HTTP). The files of websites are stored on a VPS, and are
delivered from there over the Internet whenever a request is received by the
Virtual Private Server from an Internet connected device of a user. Once the
user receives the requested web content on his/her device, the web page becomes
accessible to him/her. The technology as well as the services that are required
for this purpose are provided by web hosting companies, which primarily rent
space on their web servers.
VPS
is the key component of VPS hosting service as at the core of every hosting
service there is a web server. It can be availed from any professional web host
either as a managed service or as an unmanaged service depending on one’s budget
and requirements. A Managed VPS provides the convenience of one’s server being
managed by the professional IT team of the service provider. In it, the service
provider ensures the VPS’ proper maintenance, installs all the necessary
updates as well as handles the troubleshooting processes. An Unmanaged VPS/
Self-managed VPS needs to be managed by the user, without the assistance of the
service provider. In it, the service provider’s role is limited to providing
the server and the service. The user has to set up the VPS, manage it, install
updates, and maintain it properly.
A
VPS uses virtualization technology, and runs its individual copy of an
operating system. It is meant to provide dedicated resources to each of the
multiple users that are hosted in a shared server environment. A dedicated
server’s environment is virtually mimicked within a shared server (host/parent
server) by a VPS. Hence, multiple clients are able to utilize the same parent
server’s isolated instances. The creation and configuration of a VPS is
rendered quick and easy by it inherently being software-defined. A Virtual
Private Server functions as efficiently as a physical server by emulating a
dedicated hardware.
The
multiple virtual servers exist in a shared environment but remain separate from
each other. A virtual layer is present atop the operating system. This is
implemented by the software, Hypervisor, for segmenting the virtual servers.
This segregation enables each virtual server in a shared environment to have
its own operating system and software.
How
to Ensure VPS Security?
VPS is opted for because it provides better
speed, performance and security than that offered in shared hosting and costs
less than utilizing dedicated servers. Enhanced security provided by a VPS is
one of its most important features. Hence, it becomes essential to implement
and follow all the necessary measures to maintain the plus point of VPS, which
is security, more so in this day and age where cyber attacks are commonplace.
Let us touch upon the major ways through which VPS’ security can be ensured.
One
of the main ways to keep one’s Virtual Private Server safe is by setting up
one’s firewall. One needs to ensure certain configurations, regardless of
whether one chooses a custom firewall or a pre-installed firewall. These
include the following:
- Filtering traffic, based on defined patterns
- Certain IP addresses getting blocked or being allowed access
- Carrying out rule audits regularly, and adding new ones
- Closing unused ports
- Carrying out updates for the existing rules
It
is essential to ensure that one’s VPS is protected from malware. Hence, it
becomes vital to monitor the uploaded files or those that are being uploaded to
one’s VPS. For this purpose one can use a reliable anti-virus/anti-malware
software. Additionally, one needs to ensure protection against brute-force
attacks. Use of weak passwords often results in one falling prey to brute-force
attacks. To avoid this, and to ensure VPS’ security, one must not only use
strong passwords but also utilise tools that aid in detecting such attacks and
thwart them.
Another
essential measure that ensures the security of one’s Virtual Private Server has
to do with changing one’s default SSH (Secure Shell) login. SSH is used by many
users of VPS to log into their servers. It is recommended to use a customized
login password rather than the default SSH 22 port login password. To avail an
advanced level of security, one can use SSH key authentication rather than
password authentication. One needs to be aware of something important here that
when root logins are disabled prior to assigning authorized access, one might
get locked out of one’s VPS.
For
security reasons, one must control user access. For this purpose, various file
permissions need to be set. Moreover, such tools can be used that allow control
over process initialization, files and file systems, along with network
interfaces, and access to user-management. Limiting access is crucial to protecting
sensitive data.
It
is extremely important to use the latest software versions, as the older the
software version, the less effective it is, and the more vulnerable one’s VPS
becomes. Hence, one must run the necessary updates for the operating system regularly.
It is recommended to automate this process. Additionally, one needs to monitor
the server logs for one’s Virtual Private Server. This ensures control over the
activities happening on one’s VPS. That is why it is essential to track one’s
VPS and software, along with monitoring resource usage, user activity, traffic
levels, events, and errors that are generated by software. It is useful to set
up email notifications with regard to errors and warnings, in order to follow
such occurrences in real time. Moreover, one must perform backups regularly.
Last
but not least, SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates should be used as these
provide an encrypted channel between the VPS and the client and ensure privacy
and security for sensitive data.
If
one follows these effective, time-tested security measures then one will be in
a better position to ensure the security of one’s VPS, and reap the benefits
that it has to offer, without any hindrance or trouble.
Source:
https://www.htshosting.org/knowledge-base/vps/132/ways-to-ensure-vps-security
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