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.