herrick_accuweb.cloud

Published 1 days

Great breakdown—updating the server and securing it right after deployment is definitely the smartest first step. I followed a similar routine when I got my first VPS. After running system updates, I usually go straight into tightening access controls and setting up basic monitoring so I have visibility from day one. Another thing I’ve found helpful is starting with a clean environment that’s easy to scale or migrate later. Some VPS providers now include quick-deployment templates or preconfigured stacks, which saves a lot of time if you’re setting up something like a web server or WordPress site. For instance, accuweb.cloud offers VPS instances along with managed WordPress hosting, plus a 30-day free trial with $100 credits, so it’s convenient for testing configurations before committing long-term. Having a trial environment makes it easier to experiment with security setups or software stacks without worrying about breaking anything important. Overall, your checklist is spot-on—updates, security hardening, non-root users, and monitoring really do form the foundation of a stable VPS. Once those pieces are in place, everything else becomes much easier to manage.

Admin User

Published 17 months

The first thing I did after purchasing a new VPS was to check/update the server and its packages. It is a critical measure to ensure the environment's security and stability. Old software can expose servers to security risks and system vulnerabilities that lead to system crashes.

Are you planning to do the same? Let's look at the steps that you should follow:

Updating the Server and Packages

Updating the server and its packages varies depending on the operating system used. For Ubuntu servers, you can update using the following commands:

sudo apt update

sudo apt upgrade

For CentOS 7 servers, you can update using the following commands:

sudo yum check-update

sudo yum update

You can update Windows servers through the Settings > Windows Update interface.

Importance of Updates

Regular updates are essential for several reasons:

Security

Updates often include security patches that fix vulnerabilities and prevent potential attacks on your server.

Stability

Updates can resolve issues that cause system instability, ensuring your server runs smoothly and efficiently.

Performance

Updates can improve performance by optimizing system components and fixing bugs that may slow down your server.

Additional Steps

After updating the server and its packages, it is recommended to take additional steps to secure and configure your VPS:

Set up Fail2Ban

This tool is used to mitigate brute-force attacks. It blocks IP addresses that try to access your server with malicious intentions.

Change Default Ports

Changing default ports for services like RDP and SSH can significantly reduce the number of attempts by automated attackers.

Create a Non-Root Account

Running applications as the root user can be risky. Creating a non-root account for applications and services ensures that the impact is limited if a vulnerability is exploited.

Set up Server Monitoring Tools.

Monitoring your server's performance and resource consumption helps identify irregularities early on, allowing prompt action to prevent potential issues.

Point your Domain Name to your Server

If you plan to use your VPS for hosting, pointing your domain name to your server ensures users can access your service by typing the URL rather than the server IP.

To Sum it Up!

In conclusion, updating the server and its packages is the first crucial step after acquiring a new VPS. It ensures your server is secure, stable, and performs optimally. Following this step with additional security measures and configurations helps create a robust and reliable VPS environment.