10 steps to secure a new Linux VPS

custom · admin

A fresh VPS is exposed to the internet the moment it boots. These ten steps take ten minutes and block the vast majority of automated attacks.

The checklist

1. Update all packages
2. Create a non-root sudo user
3. Add your SSH key
4. Disable password login
5. Disable root SSH login
6. Enable a firewall (ufw or firewalld)
7. Install fail2ban
8. Enable automatic security updates
9. Set the correct timezone and NTP
10. Schedule snapshot backups

Every RMDHost VPS already includes network-level DDoS protection, so you can focus on hardening the operating system.

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