Why You Should Use a Private VPN on Your Own VPS While Traveling

When you’re traveling — whether for work, study, or leisure — using public Wi-Fi networks is often unavoidable. Airports, hotels, cafes, and coworking spaces all offer connectivity, but often at the cost of privacy and security.

While many people turn to commercial VPNs to protect their connection, the best and most secure option is to run your own private VPN on a VPS.

In this post, we’ll explain why that matters and how you can get started using a VPS from Hosteons.


🔐 Why Privacy Matters More When You Travel

When you use public networks, your data is at risk from:

  • 🕵️‍♂️ Network sniffing and man-in-the-middle attacks
  • ❗ Fake Wi-Fi hotspots
  • 👁️ ISP or network logging and censorship
  • 🚫 Location-based content restrictions

VPNs solve this by encrypting your traffic and routing it through a trusted server — but who controls that server matters a lot.


🤔 The Problem with Public/Commercial VPNs

While commercial VPNs are better than nothing, they come with some caveats:

  • ❌ Shared IPs — may be flagged, banned, or blacklisted
  • ❌ Limited trust — you’re trusting a third-party company with your traffic
  • ❌ Logs and data retention — not all “no-log” policies are actually enforced
  • ❌ Performance throttling — many commercial VPNs limit speeds or locations
  • ❌ Overcrowded servers — inconsistent speeds and high latency

In short, you’re still handing over your traffic to someone else.


✅ Why a Private VPN on Your VPS is Better

Setting up a VPN on your own VPS solves most of these issues — and gives you full control.

✨ Benefits of Running a VPN on Your Own VPS:

  1. Full Control
    • You own and configure the server — no third-party snooping.
  2. Dedicated IP Address
    • No one else shares your IP, reducing chances of blacklisting or captchas.
  3. Custom Configuration
    • Choose your encryption, protocol (WireGuard, OpenVPN, etc.), DNS, and firewall rules.
  4. Faster Speeds
    • Avoid the bandwidth bottlenecks common with commercial VPNs.
  5. Consistent Access While Abroad
    • Appear to be at “home” and access region-specific services like banking or Netflix.
  6. Bypass Local Censorship or Firewalls
    • Secure access even in restrictive countries.
  7. Affordable
    • VPS plans from Hosteons start at just $1.75/month — often cheaper than VPN subscriptions.

🌐 Recommended VPN Protocols

You can install and run any of the following on your Hosteons VPS:

  • WireGuard – Lightweight, fast, and secure. Great for mobile.
  • OpenVPN – Highly configurable and widely supported.
  • Shadowsocks / V2Ray – Ideal for bypassing censorship in restricted regions.
  • IPSec / L2TP – Good compatibility with built-in OS VPN support.

Need help? Check out our tutorials for in our knowledge based articles for various types of VPN and Proxy on Hosteons.


🧭 VPS Locations for Best Travel VPN Experience

Choose your VPS location based on:

  • Your home country (to access region-locked services)
  • neutral/nearby country for lower latency
  • High-bandwidth regions (like Germany, or Los Angeles)

Hosteons offers VPS in multiple locations globally, with inbound unmetered bandwidth and IPv6 support.


🔐 Bonus Tip: Add Your Own DNS & Firewall Rules

Once you’ve set up your private VPN:

  • Use custom DNS servers like NextDNS or AdGuard
  • Set firewall rules to block tracking domains or limit open ports
  • Enable kill switches on mobile and desktop to avoid leaks

🧰 What You’ll Need to Get Started

  • Hosteons VPS (1 CPU, 512MB+ RAM is enough for VPN)
  • A domain (optional, for easier connection)
  • Basic Linux knowledge or follow one of our setup scripts
  • Your laptop or mobile devices

🚀 Ready to Travel Securely?

Don’t rely on sketchy free VPNs or overcrowded commercial services. Take control of your online privacy and performance with a self-hosted VPN on your own VPS.

🔗 Explore Hosteons VPS plans starting at just $1.75/month:

👉 https://hosteons.com

Need help setting it up? We’re always here → https://my.hosteons.com

What Is Freegate and How to Set It Up

In regions with internet censorship and restrictions, accessing free and open content on the web can be challenging. That’s where tools like Freegate come in.

If you’re new to Freegate or want to help others get started, this guide will explain what it is, how it works, and how to install and use it safely.


🔍 What Is Freegate?

Freegate is a free anti-censorship software developed by Dynamic Internet Technology (DIT), primarily used in China, Iran, and other countries with restricted internet access. It allows users to bypass the Great Firewall (GFW) and access blocked websites, including Google, YouTube, and many news platforms.

Freegate uses DynaWeb proxy servers (a system of encrypted tunnels) to provide users with secure and private access to the open internet.


🛡️ Key Features of Freegate

  • 💻 No installation required (portable EXE file)
  • 🔐 Encrypted tunneling through DynaWeb
  • 🌐 Supports both IE and Chrome/Firefox via proxy
  • ✅ No configuration needed — just run and connect
  • 💸 Completely free to use

📥 How to Download Freegate

  1. Visit a reliable mirror (Freegate’s website is often blocked in restricted regions):
  2. Download the latest version (usually a .zip file containing fg742p.exe or similar).
  3. Extract the file to a folder (no need to install).

🖥️ How to Use Freegate

  1. Run fgXXXp.exe (replace XXX with version number).
    • No installation needed; it runs as a standalone app.
  2. When prompted, choose your preferred mode:
    • Classic Mode (default) opens Internet Explorer with proxy enabled
    • Proxy Mode lets you configure external browsers like Chrome or Firefox
  3. Once connected, Freegate will display the DynaWeb homepage, confirming that your connection is active.

🌐 How to Use Freegate with Chrome or Firefox

If you prefer using Chrome or Firefox:

  1. Launch Freegate
  2. Go to your browser settings
  3. Set the HTTP proxy to:
    • 127.0.0.1
    • Port: 8580 (default used by Freegate)
  4. Save the settings and browse as usual — Freegate will tunnel traffic through DynaWeb.

📱 Can You Use Freegate on Mobile?

Unfortunately, Freegate is only available for Windows desktop environments. For mobile use, consider using:

  • VPN apps (WireGuard/OpenVPN + Hosteons VPS)
  • V2Ray or Shadowsocks with Android/iOS clients
  • Tor Browser (mobile)

⚠️ Important Notes

  • Freegate may not work reliably if deep packet inspection (DPI) is active on your network.
  • Because it uses a central set of proxy servers, Freegate performance may fluctuate depending on demand and censorship levels.
  • If you’re seeking a more stable and private option, consider running your own proxy server or VPN on a VPS (like one from Hosteons).

🚀 Want More Control? Use a VPS Instead

Freegate is great for beginners, but if you want more flexibility and privacy, consider deploying:

  • Shadowsocks or V2Ray on a Hosteons VPS
  • WireGuard VPN for all devices
  • Self-hosted proxies with IPv6 vHosts and custom rDNS

Hosteons offers:

  • ✅ Full root access
  • ✅ Global server locations
  • ✅ Inbound unmetered bandwidth
  • ✅ Up to 20 IPv6 IPs per VPS
  • ✅ Crypto & local payment options

🔗 Final Thoughts

Freegate is a powerful tool for quickly bypassing censorship and accessing open internet content. It’s ideal for casual users in restrictive environments — but power users will benefit from setting up their own VPS-based proxy for maximum control.

🧠 Want to go further? Check out our guides on:


Need a VPS to run your own private proxy?

👉 https://hosteons.com – starting at just $1.75/month

What is Webmin and How to Install It on Your Hosteons VPS

When managing a Linux server, command-line control is powerful — but not always beginner-friendly. That’s where Webmin comes in.

In this post, we’ll explain what Webmin is, why it’s useful, and how to install it on your Hosteons VPS in just a few steps.


🌐 What Is Webmin?

Webmin is a web-based system administration tool for Unix/Linux servers. It allows you to manage your VPS using a graphical interface right from your browser — no need to memorize long terminal commands.

🧰 With Webmin, you can:

  • Create/manage users & groups
  • Install and configure services (Apache, MySQL, FTP, etc.)
  • Manage firewall rules and cron jobs
  • View logs, system info, and performance
  • Configure network settings
  • Mount/unmount disks
  • Restart services — all from a clean web UI

This makes it a fantastic tool for VPS users — especially those who are new to Linux.


✅ Why Use Webmin on a Hosteons VPS?

Hosteons VPS plans come with full root access, allowing you to install and configure tools like Webmin easily.

Whether you’re using your VPS for hosting websites, databases, VPNs, or just learning Linux, Webmin makes daily management simpler — without giving up power or flexibility.


🛠️ How to Install Webmin on Your Hosteons VPS

We’ll walk through the steps to install Webmin on Debian/Ubuntu, which are two of the most popular operating systems available with Hosteons VPS.

🔐 Note: Webmin uses HTTPS by default. Make sure port 10000 is open in your firewall.


📥 Step 1: Update Your System

SSH into your VPS:

ssh root@your_vps_ip

Then update your package list:

apt update && apt upgrade -y

🔑 Step 2: Add Webmin’s Repository & Key

Install required dependencies:

apt install wget gnupg2 -y

Add Webmin’s GPG key:

wget -qO- https://download.webmin.com/jcameron-key.asc | gpg --dearmor -o /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/webmin.gpg

Add the Webmin repository:

echo "deb https://download.webmin.com/download/repository sarge contrib" | tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/webmin.list

📦 Step 3: Install Webmin

Update and install Webmin:

apt update
apt install webmin -y

🌐 Step 4: Access Webmin in Your Browser

Once installed, Webmin runs on port 10000 by default.

Visit:

https://your-vps-ip:10000

🛡️ You’ll likely see a browser warning about the SSL certificate. This is normal for self-signed certs — just proceed.


🔐 Step 5: Log In

Use your root username and password (or sudo user) to log in.

Once inside, you’ll find a powerful web dashboard to manage your VPS.


🔄 Optional: Enable Webmin on Boot

It usually starts automatically, but to make sure:

systemctl enable webmin

You can also manage the service manually:

systemctl start webmin
systemctl stop webmin
systemctl restart webmin

🔁 Need to Allow Port 10000?

If you’re using UFW:

ufw allow 10000/tcp

Or with iptables:

iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 10000 -j ACCEPT

✅ That’s It! You Now Have Webmin on Your Hosteons VPS

Webmin is a fantastic tool to make server administration easier and more visual. It’s lightweight, secure, and works great with all major Linux distributions.

💻 Need a VPS to get started?

Check out our plans at https://hosteons.com


🧠 Bonus Tip: Want even more features?

Webmin also supports:

  • Virtualmin (a cPanel-like module for website hosting)
  • Let’s Encrypt SSL setup
  • Scheduled backups
  • Package updates & monitoring

Perfect for developers, self-hosters, and small businesses.

How to Start Your Own Web Hosting Business Using Reseller Hosting or a VPS from Hosteons

Want to launch your own web hosting business but not sure where to begin? Whether you’re a freelancer, developer, or entrepreneur, you don’t need expensive hardware or a full-blown tech team to get started.

With Reseller Web Hosting or a VPS from Hosteons, you can start selling hosting services under your own brand — quickly, affordably, and globally.

Let’s break down the options and help you choose the best path for your hosting business.


🌐 Option 1: Start with Reseller Hosting (Powered by DirectAdmin)

Reseller Hosting lets you purchase a hosting account and divide it into smaller shared accounts for your clients — all under your own brand.

At Hosteons, our Reseller Hosting is powered by DirectAdmin, a lightweight and reliable control panel that’s perfect for managing client accounts easily.

✅ Best for:

  • Beginners starting a hosting business
  • Web designers/developers who want to bundle hosting
  • Anyone who wants ease of use without managing a full server

🚀 Hosteons Reseller Hosting Features:

  • DirectAdmin + WHM-like management
  • Host your clients under your own brand
  • Private nameservers
  • Free SSL certificates
  • Ryzen 7950x CPU
  • NVME storage
  • 10 Gbps Port
  • Backups
  • 24/7 support
  • Server location: Los Angeles — excellent latency for Asia & US clients

You don’t need to worry about server maintenance — we handle that. You just focus on building your client base and growing your brand.


🖥️ Option 2: Start with a VPS (For More Control & Scalability)

Want more flexibility or planning to scale beyond shared hosting? A Virtual Private Server (VPS) gives you root accessand lets you fully customize your hosting environment.

With a VPS from Hosteons, you can install:

  • Web hosting panels like DirectAdminCyberPanelPlesk, etc.
  • Your preferred stack (LAMP, LEMP, Node.js, etc.)
  • Email servers, DNS, firewalls, and more

✅ Best for:

  • Advanced users or developers
  • Businesses offering custom hosting solutions
  • Those who want full control over performance and security

🌍 VPS Features at Hosteons:

  • KVM-based VPS with SSD storage
  • Inbound unmetered bandwidth
  • Full root access
  • Instant setup
  • Global server locations — deploy close to your audience
  • Crypto-friendly payment options
  • Optional ISO boot & OS reinstallation

You’re free to scale as your client base grows — and you’re never locked into one configuration.


💳 Flexible Billing & Payment Options

No matter which path you choose, Hosteons makes it easy to get started with a wide variety of payment methods:

  • Credit/Debit Cards
  • PayPal
  • Crypto (BTC, ETH, USDT, DOGE, LTC & more)
  • Alipay, UnionPay, QRIS (Indonesia), Dragonpay, Boleto, and many more

You can even bill your own clients using integrated billing tools like WHMCSBlesta, or Clientexec — all compatible with DirectAdmin.


🎯 So, Which One Should You Choose?

FeatureReseller HostingVPS Hosting
Ease of Setup✅ Beginner-friendly⚙️ Requires technical knowledge
Server Management🚫 Fully managed✅ Self-managed
Customization🔒 Limited🔓 Full control
Scalability🚶 Moderate🏃 High
Ideal forNew hosting entrepreneursTech-savvy builders & startups

🚀 Ready to Launch Your Hosting Business?

Whether you want a simple reseller plan or full control with a VPS, Hosteons gives you the infrastructure, support, and flexibility to start your hosting brand on the right foot.

👉 Explore Reseller Hosting: https://hosteons.com/reseller_web_hosting.php

👉 Explore VPS Plans: https://hosteons.com

📨 Need help choosing? Contact us via https://my.hosteons.com

Multiple Payment Methods Now Supported at Hosteons – Pay Your Way, Worldwide!

At Hosteons, we believe that deploying your server should be fast, simple — and so should paying for it. That’s why we’re constantly expanding the ways you can pay for our services. Whether you’re ordering a VPSVDS, or any of our hosting solutions, you can now pay using a wide range of global and local payment methods.

Thanks to our integration with FastSpring, we’ve added support for even more platforms — making it easier than ever for customers worldwide to complete their orders securely and conveniently.


🌐 

FastSpring-Enabled Payment Options

By using FastSpring as one of our payment gateways, you can now pay with:

  • Apple Pay 🍎
  • Google Pay 🤖
  • Amazon Pay 🛒
  • iDEAL (Netherlands) 🇳🇱
  • Pix (Brazil) 🇧🇷
  • And many other region-specific bank and wallet services

These are perfect for customers who prefer one-click, app-based, or mobile wallet payments.


💸 

Still Prefer the Classics? We’ve Got You Covered

We continue to support all the traditional and crypto-friendly options you already love:

💳 Credit/Debit Cards

  • All major cards are accepted

💲 PayPal

  • Quick and secure for international customers

🪙 Crypto

  • Bitcoin (BTC)
  • Tether (USDT)
  • Ethereum (ETH)
  • Litecoin (LTC)
  • Dogecoin (DOGE)
  • …and more!

🧧 

Localized Payment Methods

Hosteons also supports many country-specific gateways through FastSpring and direct integrations:

  • 🇨🇳 Alipay (支付宝中国)
  • 🇨🇳 UnionPay (银联)
  • 🇮🇩 QRIS (Indonesia)
  • 🇵🇭 Dragonpay (Philippines)
  • 🇲🇽 OXXO & Bancomer (Mexico)
  • 🇧🇷 Boleto (Brazil)
  • 🇨🇴 PSE, Baloto, Efecty (Colombia)
  • 🏦 International Bank Transfers

No matter where you’re located, you’ll find a payment option that suits you.


🔐 

Why It Matters

Offering such a wide variety of payment options allows us to serve a truly global audience with:

  • Faster payment processing
  • Better convenience for local users
  • Reduced failed transactions
  • More privacy with crypto options
  • Fewer barriers for customers in restricted regions

Whether you’re in Europe, Asia, Latin America, or anywhere in between — we’ve made paying for your hosting smooth and stress-free.


🚀 Ready to Get Started?

Browse our full range of hosting solutions — from KVM VPS and Ryzen 7950X VDS, to Web Hosting and more — at:

👉 https://hosteons.com

Have questions or need help choosing a payment method?

📨 Reach out to us at https://my.hosteons.com


🧠 Pro Tip: Use Crypto or Local Payment Gateways to Avoid Extra Fees from International Banks!

🇨🇳 寻找适合中国用户的高速VPS?Hosteons就是您的最佳选择!

我们的VPS服务受到大量中国用户的青睐,广泛用于搭建 VPN、V2Ray、Shadowsocks 等加密代理工具,突破防火墙限制,畅游全球互联网。

🌐 强烈推荐使用我们的洛杉矶(LA)机房

✅ 高速直连中国

✅ 稳定低延迟

✅ 性能优越,支持自定义系统与ISO安装

✅ 完全Root权限,自由掌控

🧪 测试再下单更安心

我们提供洛杉矶Looking Glass和测试IP,欢迎您先测速体验:

🔗 https://lg.la.hosteons.com/

💳 支持支付宝、银联、加密货币等多种付款方式,订购方便快捷!

📌 VPS详情与订购请访问:

👉 https://hosteons.com

🌐 Geopolitics, Tariffs & Hosting: Why Hosteons Remains Unshaken in a Shifting World

In 2025, the global tech and infrastructure landscape is more volatile than ever. From increasing geopolitical tensions and economic sanctions, to rising cross-border tariffs and payment restrictions, businesses are being forced to rethink how—and where—they host their digital assets.

For companies relying on global infrastructure, this creates a big question:

Is your hosting provider future-proof?

Let’s break down how these factors are affecting the hosting industry—and why Hosteons stands out as a stable, borderless solution.


🧭 The Global Climate: Politics Meets Infrastructure

In recent months, we’ve seen:

  • Countries placing export restrictions on server hardware
  • Trade wars affecting data center expansion and component supply chains
  • Payment processors limiting transactions in certain regions
  • Sanctions restricting access to cloud services in some countries

All of this means one thing for businesses:

Your hosting provider’s location and flexibility now matter more than ever.


🌍 The Hosting Industry Feels the Pressure

While the demand for virtual private servers (VPS) and dedicated infrastructure keeps growing, many hosting companies are struggling with:

  • Hardware shortages due to import/export limitations
  • Billing issues from payment providers exiting specific regions
  • Rising costs from new tariffs or unstable currencies
  • Downtime risks from geopolitical disruption in key server hubs

For end users, this results in slower provisioning, reduced availability, unexpected service interruptions, or even frozen accounts.


🇸🇬 Why Hosteons Is Unaffected — and Future-Ready

At Hosteons, we anticipated these challenges — and built our infrastructure with resilience in mind:

✅ Singapore-Based Stability

Our headquarters in Singapore offers political neutrality, economic stability, and a pro-technology environment. We’re not tied to any one geopolitical influence — making us a safe hub in turbulent times.

✅ Global Server Locations

From the U.S. and Europe to Asia, our server presence is distributed across multiple jurisdictions, giving you choice and flexibility no matter where your audience is.

✅ Flexible, Borderless Payments

We support crypto payments (Bitcoin, USDT, ETH, DOGE, etc.), as well as local payment gateways like Alipay, UnionPay, QRIS (Indonesia), Dragonpay (Philippines), and more — ensuring clients worldwide can pay without friction.

✅ No Vendor Lock-In or Overselling

Unlike cloud giants affected by regional compliance or overuse of shared nodes, Hosteons provides raw power with real control — full root access, SSD storage, and instant setup via KVM VPS and Ryzen VDS.


🔐 Peace of Mind in an Unpredictable World

Your business shouldn’t suffer because of a trade war or payment block. Whether you’re a developer, a small business, or an enterprise scaling globally — you need hosting that adapts to you, not the other way around.

Hosteons is built for that.


🚀 The Bottom Line

While some providers scramble to adapt to a shifting global climate, Hosteons continues to offer uninterrupted service, fast deployment, and freedom from geopolitical roadblocks.

🌐 Explore our plans at https://hosteons.com

🧑‍💻 Questions? Our support team is here to help via https://my.hosteons.com

🌍 Why Hosteons is Better Than the Rest: Singapore-Rooted, Globally Powered

In the vast world of web hosting, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sea of providers promising “reliable,” “fast,” and “cheap” services. But at Hosteons, we don’t just throw around buzzwords — we deliver real performance, transparency, and support that actually makes a difference.

Here’s why Hosteons is the better choice, whether you’re a developer, sysadmin, or business owner.


🇸🇬 Singapore-Based, Globally Connected

Being based in Singapore, one of the world’s most secure and connected tech hubs, gives us an edge in operations, compliance, and business stability. Our clients benefit from:

  • Efficient management and customer support driven by clear communication and professional ethics.
  • Strategic neutrality and data protection standards upheld in Singapore.
  • A global mindset — with a strong local foundation.

Despite our Singapore base, we’re not limited by geography. Our servers are deployed across multiple global data centers, so you can launch closer to your audience, wherever they are.


🌐 Global Server Locations

Performance matters. That’s why we host our infrastructure in top-tier data centers around the world, giving you the power to choose the closest location to your users. Low latency, better speeds, and localized hosting options — without compromising on quality.

Whether you’re targeting users in North America, Europe, or Asia, Hosteons ensures a smooth and consistent experience.


⚡ Pure Performance – No Overselling

A lot of companies oversell resources on shared nodes — but we don’t. Whether you’re on our KVM VPS or Ryzen 7950X VDS, you get the resources you paid for:

  • SSD-powered storage for blazing-fast I/O
  • Full root access with total control
  • Inbound unmetered bandwidth
  • Clean, dedicated vCores on VDS plans
  • Easy OS reinstalls, ISO boot support, and full self-service via the Virtualizor control panel

We focus on stability and performance — so your projects run smoothly without throttling or noisy neighbor issues.


🛠️ Built for Developers & Power Users

Hosteons is made for people who want more than just a place to host a website. Our customers include:

  • Developers deploying custom apps
  • Power users running control panels, VPNs, and private servers
  • Businesses hosting client websites
  • Agencies and startups looking for performance + reliability

We don’t lock you into bloated panels or complicated upsells. You get a clean, fast VPS or VDS with full access and the freedom to build what you need.


💸 Global Payment Options

We accept a wide variety of payment methods — not just the basics:

  • Credit/Debit Cards
  • PayPal
  • Crypto (BTC, USDT, ETH, DOGE & more)
  • Alipay, UnionPay, QRIS
  • FastSpring, Bank Transfer, and more regional methods in Latin America & Asia

No matter where you’re located, paying for your VPS should be convenient — and at Hosteons, it is.


🧑‍💻 Real Support That Cares

We don’t just point you to a knowledgebase and disappear. Our support team is responsive, helpful, and focused on resolving your issues — not passing the buck.

Support is handled via our ticketing system, ensuring proper tracking and escalation if needed. Whether it’s a simple reboot or help with ISO installation — we’re here for you.


💡 Transparent, No-Nonsense Hosting

We don’t hide behind marketing hype. No “starting at $X” with surprise fees later. No forced renewals. No overpromises. Just straightforward, honest hosting with the features and performance you need.


🏁 Final Thoughts

If you’re tired of bloated panels, poor support, or being throttled on “unlimited” plans, it’s time to switch to something better.

Choose Hosteons — Singapore-based, globally available, and proudly performance-first.

👉 Ready to get started? Explore plans now at https://hosteons.com

🛡️ How to Check If Your VPS Is Compromised or Infected

If your VPS is behaving strangely, running slow, or using more resources than expected, it could be compromised. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide for Hosteons clients to help detect common signs of infection or unauthorized access.


✅ Step 1: Check for Unusual CPU or Memory Usage

Start by checking if any process is consuming excessive resources:

top

or use:

htop

Look for unfamiliar processes, especially those using a high percentage of CPU or memory.


🧠 Step 2: Check for Unknown Network Connections

You can inspect open ports and active connections with:

ss -tulnp

Also try:

netstat -antup

Check for unknown IP addresses or ports your VPS shouldn’t be using (e.g., cryptomining pools, spam servers, etc.).


🔍 Step 3: Scan Running Processes

List all processes with their command line details:

ps auxf

Watch for suspicious scripts, base64-encoded strings, or unfamiliar binaries.


🔐 Step 4: Check for New or Unauthorized Users

List all users:

cat /etc/passwd

Check recent logins:

last

Or failed login attempts:

grep "Failed password" /var/log/auth.log

Watch for users or login attempts you don’t recognize.


🕵️ Step 5: Inspect Cron Jobs & Scheduled Tasks

Malware often installs cron jobs to maintain persistence:

crontab -l
ls -la /etc/cron*

Look for unusual scripts or scheduled commands.


🐚 Step 6: Scan for Malware

Install and run a malware scanner like Chkrootkit or ClamAV:

Chkrootkit:

apt install chkrootkit   # Debian/Ubuntu
chkrootkit

ClamAV:

apt install clamav
freshclam
clamscan -r /

These tools help detect rootkits, backdoors, and trojans.


📁 Step 7: Check for Suspicious Files

Search for recently modified or hidden files:

find / -type f -mtime -2
find / -name ".*" -type f

Look especially in /tmp, /var/tmp, or /dev/shm — common hiding places for malicious scripts.


📜 Step 8: Check System Logs

Scan through /var/log/syslog, /var/log/auth.log, and /var/log/messages for any strange activity.

Example:

less /var/log/auth.log

Use grep to search for specific keywords like root, sudo, fail, etc.


🚨 What to Do If You Suspect a Compromise

If you suspect your VPS has been compromised:

1. Disconnect from the internet (disable the network interface).

2. Back up important data (be cautious with infected files).

3. Open a support ticket with Hosteons: https://my.hosteons.com

4. Consider wiping and reinstalling the OS for full peace of mind.

5. Change all relevant passwords and SSH keys.


🧯 Prevention Tips

• Use strong passwords and SSH keys

• Keep your software and OS updated

• Disable root login and use a non-root user with sudo

• Set up a firewall like ufw

• Regularly monitor your server


Stay secure,

The Hosteons Team