Tag: Server Protection

How to Protect Your VPS Against Ransomware Attacks

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Ransomware attacks have become one of the most dangerous cybersecurity threats in recent years. These attacks encrypt your data and demand a ransom for its release, causing downtime, financial losses, and sometimes permanent data loss.

If you’re running a VPS, you are a target—but with the right security practices, you can significantly reduce the risk. In this guide, we’ll show you how to protect your VPS from ransomware attacks.

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What is Ransomware and Why Target VPS?

Ransomware is malicious software that encrypts your files or system, rendering them unusable until a ransom is paid. VPS servers are attractive targets because:

  • They often host business-critical applications
  • Many users fail to apply security updates
  • Weak configurations leave them exposed to attacks

Top Ways to Secure Your VPS from Ransomware

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1. Keep Your System Updated

Unpatched systems are the most common entry point for attackers.

Update your VPS regularly:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y   # For Debian/Ubuntu
sudo dnf update -y                      # For CentOS/AlmaLinux

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2. Use Strong SSH Security

  • Disable root login
  • Use SSH keys instead of passwords
  • Change the default SSH port

Example:

PermitRootLogin no
PasswordAuthentication no
Port 2222

Restart SSH:

systemctl restart ssh

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3. Enable a Firewall

Limit access to essential ports only.

For Ubuntu/Debian:

sudo ufw allow 2222/tcp
sudo ufw allow 80/tcp
sudo ufw allow 443/tcp
sudo ufw enable

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4. Install Fail2Ban

Block brute-force attempts:

sudo apt install fail2ban -y    # Debian/Ubuntu
sudo dnf install fail2ban -y    # CentOS/AlmaLinux

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5. Use Real-Time Malware Protection

Install tools like ClamAV or Maldet to detect malicious files:

sudo apt install clamav -y

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6. Secure Web Applications

  • Keep CMS platforms like WordPress up to date
  • Use strong admin passwords
  • Install security plugins and WAF (Web Application Firewall)

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7. Enable Regular Backups

Backups are your best defense against ransomware. Even if your server is compromised, you can restore your data without paying a ransom.

Options:

  • Use Hosteons’ VPS backup service
  • Use remote backup tools like rclone or rsync

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8. Implement Principle of Least Privilege

Only give necessary access to users and apps. Avoid running unnecessary services.

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9. Monitor Your VPS

Set up monitoring tools like:

  • fail2ban logs
  • UFW logs
  • Host-based Intrusion Detection Systems (HIDS) like OSSEC

Hosteons VPS Security Features

All Hosteons VPS plans are built for security and performance:

  • KVM Virtualization for complete isolation
  • 10Gbps Ports for high-speed secure connections
  • Full Root Access to configure your own security stack
  • IPv6 Ready
  • Affordable Plans starting at $2.99/month

👉 Order a VPS today:

Final Thoughts

Ransomware is a growing threat, but with regular updates, strong security practices, and backups, your VPS can stay protected. Don’t wait until it’s too late—secure your VPS now.

How to Secure a VPS Right After Deployment – Checklist for 2025

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Deploying a VPS is the first step to building your online presence, hosting applications, or running business-critical services. But if you don’t secure it immediately after deployment, your server could become an easy target for hackers and automated bots.

Here’s a step-by-step security checklist for 2025 to harden your VPS from the start.

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1. Update Your System

Outdated packages and kernels are the biggest vulnerabilities.

Run these commands right after login:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y   # For Ubuntu/Debian
sudo dnf update -y                      # For CentOS/AlmaLinux

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2. Create a New User and Disable Root Login

Never use the root account for day-to-day operations.

adduser youruser
usermod -aG sudo youruser

Edit the SSH configuration:

sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config

Change:

PermitRootLogin no

Restart SSH:

systemctl restart ssh

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3. Set Up SSH Key Authentication

Passwords can be brute-forced. Use SSH keys instead.

Generate keys on your local machine:

ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096

Copy your public key to the VPS:

ssh-copy-id youruser@server_ip

Disable password login in /etc/ssh/sshd_config:

PasswordAuthentication no

Restart SSH again.

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4. Change the Default SSH Port

Bots scan port 22 for vulnerabilities. Change it to a non-standard port (e.g., 2222):

sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config

Set:

Port 2222

Restart SSH:

systemctl restart ssh

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5. Enable a Firewall

Use UFW for Ubuntu/Debian:

sudo ufw allow 2222/tcp
sudo ufw allow 80/tcp
sudo ufw allow 443/tcp
sudo ufw enable

For CentOS/AlmaLinux (Firewalld):

sudo firewall-cmd --add-service=ssh --permanent
sudo firewall-cmd --add-service=http --permanent
sudo firewall-cmd --add-service=https --permanent
sudo firewall-cmd --reload

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6. Install Fail2Ban

Protect against brute-force attacks:

sudo apt install fail2ban -y    # Debian/Ubuntu
sudo dnf install fail2ban -y    # CentOS/AlmaLinux

Enable and start Fail2Ban:

sudo systemctl enable fail2ban
sudo systemctl start fail2ban

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7. Disable Unnecessary Services

Check running services:

systemctl list-unit-files --type=service --state=enabled

Disable what you don’t need:

sudo systemctl disable service_name

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8. Enable Automatic Security Updates

On Ubuntu/Debian:

sudo apt install unattended-upgrades -y

On CentOS/AlmaLinux:

sudo dnf install dnf-automatic -y
sudo systemctl enable --now dnf-automatic.timer

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9. Install a Malware Scanner

Use ClamAV for basic malware scanning:

sudo apt install clamav -y

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10. Backup Regularly

Security is not complete without backups. Use tools like:

  • rsync
  • rclone
  • Cloud backups from your Hosteons VPS panel

Pro Tip:

Hosteons offers an Initial VPS Setup Script that secures your server instantly with best practices:

👉 GitHub Script

👉 Full Guide

Final Thoughts

Securing your VPS should never be an afterthought. With these 10 steps, you can minimize vulnerabilities and keep your server safe from evolving cyber threats in 2025.

🛡️ Ready to get started?

Order a reliable VPS now: Hosteons VPS Plans