How To Secure Your VPS Hosting Server?

Security is a genuine concern for websites. Especially now, when more and more critical activities, such as banking and commerce, are moving online. Almost all web hosting service providers include basic security measures with all their plans, regardless of the platform.

VPS Hosting in India is no exception to that. All VPS providers will ensure that your website stays protected. However, there is no single answer to “what is the best VPS Hosting service?”

It is up to you to decide what works the best for you when you buy VPS Hosting. And even though you get basic security with your VPS Server, it is wise to further boost it by configuring your own security measures. You’ll find a number of security solutions to protect your website.

But you can take certain measures to ensure more protection.

Let’s first understand what VPS Hosting is.

What is VPS Hosting?

VPS Server Hosting is a hosting platform where a single physical server is divided into multiple isolated virtual servers by means of server virtualisation. So, every website gets its own virtual server, and each virtual server gets its own set of resources. When you host your website on a VPS, it doesn’t have to share server resources with other websites. It improves stability, boosts performance and enhances security.

Securing a VPS Hosting Server

Other than the more apparent security measures like firewalls, anti-malware and anti-virus, there are other less-obvious security configurations that can make a marked difference. Let’s look at how we can secure a VPS Hosting Server.

  • Disable root logins

A root login is a dangerous tool as it gives unrestricted system-wide access to a hosting server. Disable the root login and use the “sudo” command to execute root-level commands.

  • Change default SSH port

Every server has a default SSH port (22). Malicious scripts can hack into your system through it. Change the port number after ensuring that none of your services is using it.

  • Keep software updated

Sometimes a software may contain bugs or vulnerabilities that can hamper performance and security. Keep all your software up to date as such vulnerabilities are patched through regular software updates.

  • Disable unused network ports

Any open and unused network port is a vulnerability. Use the “netstat” command to check which ports are currently in use and disable the ones which are not being used.

  • Clean up unused modules

Every Linux distribution has a number of default modules and packages bundled. You don’t use all of them. It is best to remove the unused ones. It’s one less weakness to worry about.

  • Use encryption

Your data is often at its most vulnerable when it is in transit. Use encryption to protect the data as it travels between your server and the user’s browser. This way, even if somebody intercepts the data in between, it will be encrypted and unusable.

  • Partition your disk

Disk partition adds an element of security to your server. When system files are stored on a separate partition, away from all your other data, it creates a barrier for any malware, virus or hacker that makes it into your system.

Are you using Linux VPS? The following video explains what root access in VPS Hosting is:

Use these tips to remove all unwanted elements from your server and secure your Linux VPS Hosting from all manners of cyberthreats.