VPS Security Basics - Essential Steps for Beginners (2025)

Securing your VPS is not optional - it's critical. An unsecured server can be compromised within hours of being online, leading to data theft, malware distribution, or your server being used for attacks.

This guide covers the essential security steps every VPS owner should implement, explained in simple terms for non-technical users.

Why VPS Security Matters

Unlike shared hosting where the provider handles security, with a VPS you are responsible for:

• Preventing unauthorized access
• Protecting sensitive data
• Keeping software updated
• Blocking malicious traffic
• Monitoring for breaches

Security Step 1: Keep System Updated

Outdated software is the #1 cause of security breaches.

With VPS Commander:

1. Go to System → Updates
2. Click "Check for Updates"
3. Review available updates
4. Click "Update All"
5. Enable "Automatic Security Updates"

What This Does:

Patches security vulnerabilities in your operating system and installed software. Critical updates are applied automatically.

Security Step 2: Configure Firewall

A firewall controls which ports are accessible from the internet.

Essential Firewall Rules:

• Port 22 (SSH): Required for server access - must be open
• Port 80 (HTTP): Open if hosting websites
• Port 443 (HTTPS): Open if hosting websites with SSL
• All other ports: Closed by default

With VPS Commander:

1. Go to Security → Firewall
2. Click "Enable Firewall"
3. Add rules:
   • Allow SSH (22)
   • Allow HTTP (80)
   • Allow HTTPS (443)
4. Set default policy to "Deny All Incoming"
5. Click "Apply Rules"

Security Step 3: Use SSH Keys Instead of Passwords

Password authentication is vulnerable to brute-force attacks. SSH keys are virtually impossible to crack.

Understanding SSH Keys:

Instead of typing a password, you use a cryptographic key pair:

• Private Key: Stays on your computer (never share this!)
• Public Key: Installed on your VPS

Setting Up SSH Keys with VPS Commander:

1. Security → SSH Keys
2. Click "Generate New Key Pair"
3. Download private key to your computer
4. Public key automatically installed on server
5. Enable "Disable Password Authentication"

Benefits:

• ✅ Immune to brute-force password attacks
• ✅ More convenient (no password to remember)
• ✅ Can use different keys for different devices

Security Step 4: Install Fail2Ban

Fail2Ban automatically blocks IP addresses after repeated failed login attempts.

How Fail2Ban Works:

1. Monitors authentication logs
2. Detects failed login attempts
3. After X failures (typically 5), blocks the IP for Y time (typically 10 minutes)
4. Prevents brute-force attacks

With VPS Commander:

1. Security → Fail2Ban
2. Click "Install Fail2Ban"
3. Configure settings:
   • Max attempts: 5
   • Ban time: 10 minutes
   • Find time: 10 minutes
4. Enable protection for:
   • SSH
   • Nginx/Apache
   • MySQL
5. Click "Enable"

Security Step 5: Change Default SSH Port (Optional but Recommended)

Most bots attack port 22. Changing it to a non-standard port reduces automated attacks by 99%.

With VPS Commander:

1. Security → SSH Configuration
2. Change "SSH Port" from 22 to something like 2222 or 4422
3. Click "Save and Restart SSH"
4. Important: Update your firewall to allow the new port
5. Update VPS Commander connection settings to use new port

Security Step 6: Create Non-Root User

Using root account for everything is risky. If compromised, attackers have full control.

With VPS Commander:

1. Users → Create New User
2. Username: admin (or your preference)
3. Strong password
4. Check "Add to sudo group" (allows running privileged commands when needed)
5. Click "Create"

Best Practice:

Use your non-root user for daily tasks. Only use root when necessary.

Security Step 7: Set Up SSL/HTTPS

Encrypt traffic between your server and visitors.

With VPS Commander:

1. SSL → Let's Encrypt
2. Enter your domain name
3. Click "Request Certificate"
4. Certificate automatically installed and renewed

More details: SSL Certificate Setup Guide

Security Step 8: Regular Backups

Backups won't prevent breaches, but they ensure you can recover quickly.

Backup Strategy:

• Daily automated backups
• Keep 7 days of backups
• Store offsite (not just on the same VPS)
• Test restoration quarterly

See: VPS Backup Strategies Guide

Security Step 9: Monitor Your Server

Detect issues before they become disasters.

With VPS Commander:

1. Monitoring → Set Up Alerts
2. Enable notifications for:
   • Failed login attempts spike
   • New user accounts created
   • Unusual CPU/network activity
   • Disk space over 85%

Security Step 10: Disable Root Login via SSH

After setting up SSH keys and a non-root user, disable direct root login.

With VPS Commander:

1. Security → SSH Configuration
2. Set "Permit Root Login" to No
3. Save and restart SSH

From now on, login as your regular user and use sudo when root privileges are needed.

Security Checklist: Day One

When you first create a VPS, complete these within the first hour:

1. ✅ Update all software
2. ✅ Enable firewall (ports 22, 80, 443 only)
3. ✅ Set up SSH keys
4. ✅ Install fail2ban
5. ✅ Create non-root user
6. ✅ Change SSH port (optional)
7. ✅ Disable root SSH login
8. ✅ Set up automated backups
9. ✅ Enable monitoring alerts

Common Security Mistakes to Avoid

• ❌ Using weak passwords like "password123"
• ❌ Never updating software
• ❌ Leaving unnecessary ports open
• ❌ Running everything as root
• ❌ No backups
• ❌ Storing credentials in plain text files
• ❌ Ignoring security logs

What to Do If Your VPS is Compromised

If you suspect your server was hacked:

1. Immediately disconnect from the internet (if possible)
2. Change all passwords
3. Review security logs for attack vector
4. Check for unauthorized users/processes
5. Consider restoring from clean backup
6. Re-harden security before going back online

Detailed guide: VPS Got Hacked? Response Steps

Conclusion

VPS security doesn't have to be complicated. By following these 10 essential steps, you'll be more secure than 90% of VPS users.

Key takeaways:

• Security is ongoing, not one-time
• Automated tools (VPS Commander, fail2ban) do most of the heavy lifting
• Regular updates and backups are non-negotiable
• SSH keys > passwords, always
• Monitor your server - detect issues early

Start with these basics, and you'll have a solid security foundation for your VPS.