There are various types of web hosting services available that have been designed to cater to the varying needs of websites. 

These include Shared Hosting, Cloud Hosting, VPS Hosting Servers, Dedicated Hosting Servers, etc. While each of these services has certain pros and cons, VPS Servers have gained a lot of popularity in recent years since they function as a Dedicated Server without burning a hole in your pocket. 

A VPS Server is known to be secure and highly customizable. However, there are many ways in which a hacker can gain access to it. In this article, we will share seven ways in which you can secure your VPS Server.

 

In India, VPS Servers are preferred by all types of websites. This is because a VPS has account isolation, dedicated resources, and offers full root access to the user. While a VPS server is highly secure, here are seven ways to further boost its security.

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  Use complex passwords

The idea of a password is that you should be the only one who knows it and others can’t guess it easily. However, many people are guilty of using simple and easy-to-guess passwords that make it easier for a hacker to gain access. Ensure that you use a password that is at least 8-12 characters long, include small and large-cap letters, numbers, special characters, and avoid using a word or phrase that can be easily guessed.

• Disable the root login on your VPS server

A root user has administrative rights over your VPS. This means that this user can make any changes to the server. If a hacker gains access to the root login, then you can lose control over your server in no time. Therefore, it is prudent to keep the root login disabled.

• Limit the number of user logins on your VPS

You might have opened several user accounts on your VPS Server over time. However, not all of them need to be logged in remotely to the server. If you keep all the user logins active, you give hackers more chances to gain access to your server. Therefore, keep the number of user logins restricted.

• Use SSH Protocol 2

The Secure Shell or SSH service has two protocols – Protocol 1 and Protocol 2. Of these, Protocol 2 is more secure than Protocol 1. Hence, it is recommended to use Protocol 2 in all your communications.

• Use a new port for SSH.

The default port assigned to SSH is 22. Hackers will try this port, hoping that you have not changed it. If the SSH port on your site is still 22, then the hacker will know where to attack. However, if the port number is changed, the hacker will first have to guess the port number and then use it to exploit the server.

• Use a firewall

A firewall is an important defence element. You can filter incoming traffic and also SSH connections using the firewall. This adds another layer of protection to your VPS server.

• Run regular updates

Whether using a Windows VPS server or a Linux VPS with cPanel, make sure that your VPS is secure and protected against most online attacks. Software developers release regular updates to boost security. Hence, make sure that you run all updates as soon as they are released.

 

You can also check out the following video for more detailed information: 

4 Steps to Secure Your Linux VPS Server

Summing Up

The VPS Server price is more than a shared server but lesser than a Dedicated Server. However, it offers many benefits that are similar to a Dedicated Server. This includes full root access that allows you to make any change to the server. The tips mentioned above use the benefits offered by a VPS Server to boost its security.