Tag: VPS Hardening

How to Protect Your VPS from Hackers in 2025

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A Virtual Private Server (VPS) gives you power, control, and flexibility for hosting your websites, apps, or projects. But with great control comes great responsibility — and in 2025, cyberattacks are more sophisticated than ever. To keep your VPS safe, you need to apply strong security measures right after deployment and maintain them regularly.

At Hosteons, we encourage all VPS users to take security seriously. Here’s how to protect your VPS from hackers in 2025.

🔑 1. Use Strong Authentication

  • Change the default SSH port from 22 to something less predictable.
  • Disable password-based logins and switch to SSH key authentication.
  • Use strong, unique passwords for all accounts if passwords are unavoidable.

🔒 2. Keep Software Updated

Hackers often exploit outdated software. Run regular updates on your VPS:

apt update && apt upgrade -y   # Ubuntu/Debian  
yum update -y                  # CentOS/AlmaLinux

Enable automatic security updates where possible.

🛡 3. Configure a Firewall

Set up firewalls like UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall) or CSF to allow only necessary traffic and block everything else. Combine it with Fail2Ban to automatically block suspicious IPs.

🚨 4. Monitor and Audit Logs

Use tools like Logwatch, GoAccess, or external monitoring systems to watch login attempts, unusual traffic, and system resource spikes. Early detection helps prevent breaches.

👤 5. Limit Root Access

  • Create a separate user with sudo privileges.
  • Disable direct root login via SSH.
  • Use role-based access if multiple people manage the server.

🔐 6. Secure Applications and Databases

  • Keep web apps, CMS platforms (like WordPress), and plugins up to date.
  • Restrict database access to localhost unless remote access is absolutely required.
  • Use strong credentials for MySQL/MariaDB and any control panels.

📦 7. Enable Regular Backups

Even with the best defenses, no system is 100% secure. Automated backups ensure you can recover quickly in case of a hack, data corruption, or accidental deletion.

🌐 8. Consider a WAF or DDoS Protection

Adding a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or enabling DDoS mitigation can stop malicious traffic before it reaches your VPS. Cloudflare and other providers offer affordable protection options.

🚀 Why Choose Hosteons for a Secure VPS?

At Hosteons, we provide VPS hosting with:

  • Full root access so you can configure security your way
  • 10Gbps network ports for reliable performance
  • No-KYC signups for privacy-conscious users
  • Global locations in the US and EU for low-latency access

👉 Explore our VPS & VDS plans here:

✅ Conclusion

Hackers are always looking for new ways to exploit vulnerable servers, but by following these security steps, you can significantly reduce risks. In 2025, protecting your VPS means combining basic hardening techniques, continuous monitoring, and proactive backups.

With the right precautions, your VPS will remain secure, reliable, and hacker-resistant.

Top Security Steps You Should Take After Buying a VPS

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A Virtual Private Server (VPS) gives you power, flexibility, and control over your hosting environment. But with that control comes responsibility — especially when it comes to security. Right after you deploy a VPS, there are essential steps you should take to protect it from hackers, malware, and unauthorized access.

At Hosteons, we want our customers to stay secure from day one. Here’s a checklist of the top security steps you should take after purchasing a VPS.

🔑 1. Change the Default SSH Port

Most VPS servers use port 22 for SSH access by default, which makes it an easy target for brute-force attacks. Change it to a non-standard port for better protection.

🔒 2. Set Up SSH Keys Instead of Passwords

Using passwords alone is risky. Instead, configure SSH key authentication. This ensures only devices with the correct private key can access your VPS.

🛡 3. Configure a Firewall

Install and configure a firewall like UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall) or CSF (ConfigServer Security & Firewall) to block unauthorized traffic and allow only the services you need.

🚨 4. Install Fail2Ban

Fail2Ban helps prevent brute-force attacks by banning IPs that show malicious behavior, such as repeated failed login attempts.

📦 5. Keep Your System Updated

Always run system updates regularly:

apt update && apt upgrade -y   # Ubuntu/Debian  
yum update -y                  # CentOS/AlmaLinux

This ensures you have the latest security patches.

👤 6. Create a Non-Root User

Running everything as root is risky. Create a regular user account with sudo privileges to reduce exposure if compromised.

🔐 7. Secure Critical Services

  • Disable unused services to reduce entry points.
  • Restrict database access to localhost unless remote access is absolutely necessary.
  • Use strong, unique passwords for all accounts.

📂 8. Enable Automatic Backups

Even with strong security, accidents can happen. Enable automated VPS backups through the Virtualizor panel or cron jobs to ensure you can recover quickly.

🚀 Bonus: Use Monitoring Tools

Set up monitoring tools like Logwatch or integrate with external monitoring services to get alerts about suspicious activity.

✅ Conclusion

Securing your VPS right after purchase is the most important step you can take to protect your data, applications, and users. By following this checklist, you’ll reduce risks and keep your server safe from the start.

At Hosteons, we provide VPS with 10Gbps ports, multiple global locations, and full root access, giving you the flexibility to apply all these security best practices easily.

👉 Explore our VPS plans today:

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.

✅ 

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

✅ 

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

✅ 

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

✅ 

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

✅ 

4. Install Fail2Ban

Block brute-force attempts:

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

✅ 

5. Use Real-Time Malware Protection

Install tools like ClamAV or Maldet to detect malicious files:

sudo apt install clamav -y

✅ 

6. Secure Web Applications

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

✅ 

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

✅ 

8. Implement Principle of Least Privilege

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

✅ 

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.

✅ 

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

✅ 

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

✅ 

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.

✅ 

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

✅ 

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

✅ 

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

✅ 

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

✅ 

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

✅ 

9. Install a Malware Scanner

Use ClamAV for basic malware scanning:

sudo apt install clamav -y

✅ 

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