Linux is known for its robust security features, making it a preferred choice for VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting. However, no server is immune to vulnerabilities. This guide outlines the best practices to secure your Linux VPS and protect it from common threats.
1. Keep Your System Updated
Regularly updating your Linux distribution is crucial to patch security vulnerabilities and bugs:
- Use
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
for Debian-based systems like Ubuntu.
- Use
sudo yum update
for RHEL-based systems like CentOS and AlmaLinux.
Enable automatic updates for critical patches to reduce manual effort.
2. Set Up a Firewall
Firewalls are your first line of defense against unauthorized access. Configure a firewall like UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall) or iptables:
# sudo ufw enable
# sudo ufw allow 22/tcp # Allow SSH
# sudo ufw allow 80/tcp # Allow HTTP
# sudo ufw allow 443/tcp # Allow HTTPS