Secure Your VPS: Simple Hardening Steps

Securing your VPS is essential to protect data, applications, and uptime. While these steps apply broadly, we’ll use Ubuntu as an example for commands.

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1. Keep Your System Updated

Outdated software is the easiest way in for attackers.

Actionable steps (Ubuntu example):

1sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
2sudo apt install unattended-upgrades -y
3sudo dpkg-reconfigure --priority=

Automatic updates ensure critical security patches are applied without manual intervention.

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2. Secure SSH Access (Most Critical)

SSH is the main access point for your server and should be locked down.

Best practices:

1. Disable root login: Edit /etc/ssh/sshd_config:

PermitRootLogin no

2. Use SSH keys only, disable passwords:

PasswordAuthentication no
PubkeyAuthentication yes

3. Change the default SSH port: e.g., 2022:

Port 2022

4. Enable brute-force protection using fail2ban or similar tools.
5. Optional: Multi-factor authentication for SSH.

Real-world: SSH keys + port change + root disabled blocks 99% of automated attacks immediately.

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3. Configure a Firewall

Lock down which ports your server accepts connections on.

Example (Ubuntu + ufw):

1sudo apt install ufw -y
2sudo ufw default deny incoming
3sudo ufw default allow outgoing
4sudo ufw allow 2022/tcp   # SSH
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Only open what’s necessary. Keep everything else blocked.

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4. Disable Unnecessary Services

Each service you don’t use is an attack surface.

Actionable steps:

• List running services:

1systemctl list-units --type=service --state=running
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• Disable anything unnecessary:

1sudo systemctl disable --now service_name
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• Remove packages that are not needed:

1sudo apt purge package_name -y
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5. Strong Users & Permissions

Limit privileges and remove shared accounts.

Guidelines:

• Add a non-root admin:

1sudo adduser alice
2sudo usermod -aG sudo alice
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• Remove or lock unused accounts:

1sudo userdel olduser
2sudo passwd -l root
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• Only use sudo for administrative tasks.

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6. Network & Application Hardening

• Disable unused protocols (FTP, Telnet, etc.).
• Use HTTPS and secure protocols for web apps.
• Configure web servers to hide version info and minimize data leaks.
• Enable logging and monitor for suspicious activity.

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7. Backups & Monitoring

• Schedule automated backups (local + off-site).
• Monitor server performance and logs.
• Test restores to ensure backups work when needed.

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8. Optional Advanced Security

For high-value servers:

• Intrusion Detection (OSSEC, Snort).
• Containerized apps to isolate workloads.
• VPN-only admin access.
• Encrypt sensitive data (disk + network).

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Summary

Direct and practical:

• Keep the system updated.
• SSH keys only, root disabled, port changed (e.g., 2022).
• Firewall blocks all unnecessary ports.
• Minimal services running.
• Least-privilege users.
• Regular backups and monitoring.

Consistently applying updates, SSH key access, minimal services, and monitoring keeps your VPS secure and reliable.