How to Protect Your VPS From Malicious Cyber Attacks

Nowadays, many companies use a virtual private server (VPS) to have secure and stable hosting for data. It is safer than shared hosting and yet remains a more affordable option compared to dedicated servers, which is what makes it so attractive in the first place.

That said, VPS hosting is not free from its vulnerabilities. It’s essential to take the right actions to protect your VPS from malicious attacks, data loss, and infiltration.

Use a Customized SSH Log-In

Any cybersecurity expert will tell you that sticking to default passwords and log-in credentials on any platform, server, or router is one of the worst things you can do. This opens you up to hackers as an easy target and will essentially make your system so vulnerable that attackers don’t even need to work hard to break in. It’s basically the digital version of keeping the spare key under a bright rug in front of your door.

Protect your VPS by using customized log-ins for your SSH 2 port. Just make sure to set the proper permissions when switching from default to protect yourself against getting locked out.

Keep an Eye on Server Logs

A lot of problems get worse because they went by unnoticed. Many businesses that suffer from major data loss just find out that they had a breach months after the fact.

You might consider your VPS to be a small and not-so-critical system, but that doesn’t mean the attackers won’t be targeting it. By keeping an eye on the server logs, you can easily determine if your system has been infiltrated by someone. This will also help you determine the kind of action to take next.

Regularly Scan for Malware

The first thing to do is make sure you have a secure VPS with proper antivirus suites. Any reputable VPS host will most likely provide you with malware protection software. That said, you still need to stay on top of usage and maintenance on this front to be sure.

Set up the tools to detect and block malicious content as needed and run regular scans to see any discrepancies and check suspicious files. This is especially important when you are dealing with remote access from different locations.

Always Keep Software Updated

It’s also vital to make sure that your system is constantly updated regularly. You can’t properly secure your VPS if you don’t update it. Make sure to check for any updates at least twice a month. If you have the option to turn on automatic updates, go for it. This way, you know that you will always have the necessary security and accessibility updates.

Turn On Your Firewall

It seems like a basic thing because of how long these have been established in cyber security, but it is something that is often overlooked and needs to be said. Make sure your firewall is active.

Software and onboard hardware firewall are necessary to keep your VPS secure and stable. Block unwanted connections and malicious data by keeping your firewall on.

Conclusion

As long as you are cautious and you put in the right measures, you don’t have to worry much about your VPS being used for malicious purposes. It’s still safer than hosting on a shared server, but you still have to take the proper precautions to protect your VPS.

I/O Zoom takes pride in providing fast, stable, and secure servers at affordable prices. Contact us to get a VPS server for Atlanta.