After completing your purchase and setup, you’ll receive a welcome email with essential information for accessing your VPS. SSH access will be your initial point of entry to the server. This guide provides foundational steps to access, secure, and install software on your VPS.

Essential Steps

Connect to your server via SSH.
Update your VPS.
Secure your VPS.
Install the required software.

1. Connect to your VPS via SSH

Connecting to SSH on macOS or Linux:

macOS and Linux come with SSH pre-installed, making it easy to connect through the Terminal.

Open the Terminal on your computer.
For MacOS: You can find Terminal in Applications > Utilities or by searching Terminal in Spotlight.
Enter the following command, replacing your_vps_ip with the VPS IP address:
ssh root@your_vps_ip

Connecting to SSH on Windows:

Windows 10 and newer versions come with Windows Terminal, which includes SSH. Alternatively, you may choose to use PuTTY, a widely used SSH client for Windows.

Open Command Prompt by pressing Windows + R , typing cmd , and clicking OK .
In the Command Prompt, enter the following SSH command, replacing your_vps_ip with your VPS IP address:

ssh root@your_vps_ip

2. Update your VPS

Regularly updating your VPS is critical to maintaining security and performance. Use the package management system appropriate for your Linux distribution to update system packages and repositories:

Using apt (Debian/Ubuntu):

apt upgradeapt upgrade

Using dnf (AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux, CentOS):

dnf update

These commands update the package list and install the latest updates, keeping your VPS current and secure.

4. Securing Your Linux VPS

Securing your VPS from unauthorised access is essential. Following these best practices will help protect your server:

3.1 Change SSH port:

Changing the SSH port from the default port (22) adds an additional layer of security by making your VPS less vulnerable to automated attacks on common ports.

Open the SSH configuration file :

nano /etc/ssh/sshd _config

Locate the line #Port 22 , remove the # to uncomment it, and change 22 to a new port number (e.g., 7822 ):

Port 7822

Save the file (ctrl+o then ctrl+x) and restart SSH to apply the changes :

systemctl restart sshd

Connect using the new port number for example: ssh root@your_vps_ip -p 7822

3.2 Set Up a Firewall:

Use ufw (on Ubuntu) or firewalld (on AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux, CentOS) to allow only necessary traffic, improving your VPS security.

Using UFW (Ubuntu/Debian)

Allow the new SSH port (replace 7822 with your chosen port):

ufw allow 7822

Allow specific services (e.g., HTTP and HTTPS for web traffic):

ufw allow http
ufw allow https

Enable UFW :

ufw enable

Verify UFW status :

ufw status

Using firewalld (AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux, CentOS):

Install and start/enable firewalld (if not already installed):

dnf install firewalld
systemctl start firewalld
systemctl enable firewalld

Allow the new SSH port (replace 7822 with your chosen port):

firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=7822/tcp

Allow specific services (e.g., HTTP and HTTPS for web traffic):

firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=http
firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=https

Reload firewalld to apply changes :

firewall-cmd --reload

Verify firewalld status :

firewall-cmd --list-all

sdfsdf

Make sure only the necessary ports are open to minimise security risks.

3.3 Use SSH keys:

SSH keys offer a more secure, passwordless login method. Generate SSH keys on your local machine, then add the public key to your VPS for enhanced security.

4. Install the Necessary Software

Installing software on your VPS depends on the applications you plan to use. Below are the commands for adding software packages based on your Linux distribution:

Using apt (Debian/Ubuntu):

apt install package_name

Using dnf (AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux, CentOS):

dnf install package_name

By following these foundational steps, you’ll be well-equipped to get started using your VPS effectively.

Updated on: 23/11/2024