Tag: UFW Firewall

Firewall vs WAF: Which One Does Your Website Need?

Leave a Comment on Firewall vs WAF: Which One Does Your Website Need?

When it comes to securing your website or VPS, two terms often come up: Firewall and WAF (Web Application Firewall). While they sound similar, they serve different purposes. Choosing the right one—or knowing when to use both—is crucial for protecting your applications and data from cyber threats.

In this article, we’ll break down the differences, benefits, and best use cases for Firewalls and WAFs.

✅ What is a Firewall?

A firewall is a network security system that filters incoming and outgoing traffic based on predefined rules. It operates at the network and transport layers (Layer 3 and Layer 4 of the OSI model).

What it does:

  • Blocks unauthorized access to your VPS or network
  • Controls which IP addresses, ports, and protocols can communicate
  • Prevents brute-force attacks and scans

Types of Firewalls:

  • Host-based (e.g., UFW, Firewalld)
  • Network-based (hardware or cloud)

Example: Blocking all ports except 80 (HTTP), 443 (HTTPS), and SSH.

✅ What is a WAF (Web Application Firewall)?

A Web Application Firewall protects web applications by filtering HTTP/S traffic. It operates at the application layer(Layer 7 of the OSI model) and is designed to prevent attacks like:

  • SQL Injection
  • Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
  • File Inclusion Attacks
  • OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities

How it works:

  • Analyzes HTTP requests before they reach your application
  • Blocks malicious patterns in URL, headers, or payload
  • Can be deployed as a reverse proxy (e.g., Cloudflare, AWS WAF)

✅ Firewall vs WAF: Key Differences

FeatureFirewallWAF
LayerNetwork (Layer 3/4)Application (Layer 7)
Protection FocusIPs, Ports, ProtocolsHTTP/S requests and app vulnerabilities
BlocksUnauthorized access, brute forceSQL Injection, XSS, Web Exploits
DeploymentServer or Network LevelApplication or CDN Level

✅ Do You Need Both?

Yes, in most cases.

  • Firewall ensures your VPS isn’t exposed to unnecessary ports or traffic.
  • WAF adds another layer by inspecting HTTP/S traffic for malicious patterns.

Think of it like this:

  • Firewall = Lock on your front door
  • WAF = Security guard checking IDs at the entrance

✅ Best Practices for VPS Security

  • Enable a firewall on your VPS using UFW or Firewalld.
  • Install Fail2Ban to protect against brute-force attempts.
  • Use a WAF service like Cloudflare for application-layer protection.
  • Keep your apps and OS updated to avoid zero-day vulnerabilities.
  • Take regular backups for quick recovery.

✅ Hosteons VPS Security Advantage

At Hosteons, all VPS plans are designed for security:

  • Full root access to configure UFW, CSF, or any firewall
  • 10Gbps network ports for fast, secure connectivity
  • Compatible with Cloudflare WAF and other security tools

👉 Explore plans:

Final Thoughts

A firewall and a WAF are not competitors—they complement each other. Use both to achieve comprehensive protectionfor your VPS and websites.

Top 5 Tips to Harden Your Linux VPS Against Attacks in 2025

Leave a Comment on Top 5 Tips to Harden Your Linux VPS Against Attacks in 2025

In 2025, cyberattacks are more sophisticated than ever. Whether you’re hosting a personal project or critical business application, securing your Linux VPS is no longer optional—it’s essential. Thankfully, with just a few steps, you can drastically reduce your risk and keep your VPS locked down against the most common threats.

At Hosteons, we provide high-performance KVM VPS with root access, but security is a shared responsibility. Here’s how you can harden your VPS in minutes:

1. Use SSH Keys Instead of Passwords

Disable password login and use SSH key authentication for more secure, automated, and brute-force-resistant logins.

Steps:

  • Generate a key pair using ssh-keygen
  • Upload your public key to your VPS: ~/.ssh/authorized_keys
  • Disable password auth in /etc/ssh/sshd_config

👉 Read: Why You Should Use SSH Keys Instead of Passwords

2. Set Up a Firewall (UFW/iptables)

Block unnecessary ports to reduce your attack surface. Only open what’s required (e.g., 22 for SSH, 80/443 for web).

Example with UFW:

sudo ufw default deny incoming
sudo ufw allow 22
sudo ufw allow 80
sudo ufw allow 443
sudo ufw enable

3. Install and Configure Fail2Ban

Prevent brute-force attacks by banning IPs with too many failed login attempts.

Install Fail2Ban:

sudo apt install fail2ban

Create a jail for SSH and monitor logs like /var/log/auth.log or /var/log/secure.

👉 Full Fail2Ban Guide

4. Keep the System and Software Updated

Always run the latest security patches. Use tools like unattended-upgrades for automated updates.

Commands:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
sudo yum update

Outdated software is one of the most exploited vulnerabilities.

5. Monitor Login Attempts and File Changes

Install tools to track unauthorized access and suspicious activity.

  • Use auditd to track system events
  • Use logwatch or logcheck to scan logs for anomalies
  • Monitor /var/log/auth.log for failed logins

👉 Read: How to Monitor Login Attempts and File Changes on Your VPS

Bonus: Disable Root Login

Prevent direct root access by using a non-root sudo user instead.

In /etc/ssh/sshd_config:

PermitRootLogin no

Final Thoughts

Hardened servers are happy servers! With these 5 simple steps, you’ll block the majority of attacks targeting Linux VPS.

At Hosteons, we give you the control, performance, and reliability — now it’s your turn to secure it.

🔐 Ready to deploy a secure VPS?

👉 Explore Our KVM VPS

👉 Premium Ryzen VPS