Security Checklist for VPS Server Setup

by | May 16, 2025 | Linux, Security, VPS | 0 comments

When launching a new VPS, security should be your top priority—right after installation. A poorly secured server can be compromised in minutes, especially if exposed to the internet. This guide provides a fast yet effective VPS security checklist tailored for Ubuntu Linux (22.04+), ideal for sysadmins, developers, and DevOps engineers who need a secure foundation.

Whether you’re hosting a personal project or a business-critical application, these simple security steps will significantly reduce your attack surface. Here’s our Security Checklist for VPS Server Setup:

1. Update and Upgrade Your System

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Enable automatic security updates:

sudo apt install unattended-upgrades
sudo dpkg-reconfigure --priority=low unattended-upgrades

This ensures your VPS is protected from known vulnerabilities without manual intervention.

2. Create a Non-Root User with Sudo Access

adduser youruser
usermod -aG sudo youruser

Then, disable root SSH login (more on this below).

3. Configure SSH for Secure Access

Edit the SSH config:

sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config

Recommended changes:

PermitRootLogin no
PasswordAuthentication no
Port 2200

🔐 Tip: Use SSH key authentication instead of passwords. Read our article on Securing SSH on Linux.

Restart SSH to apply changes:

systemctl restart ssh

4. Set Up a Firewall (UFW)

Ubuntu’s Uncomplicated Firewall (UFW) is simple and effective:

sudo ufw allow 2200/tcp
sudo ufw allow OpenSSH
sudo ufw enable

Block everything else by default:

sudo ufw default deny incoming
sudo ufw default allow outgoing

5. Install Fail2Ban to Prevent Brute-Force Attacks

Fail2Ban monitors log files and bans IPs that show malicious signs, like too many failed login attempts.

Install and enable:

sudo apt install fail2ban -y
sudo systemctl enable fail2ban --now

Copy and edit the default jail config:

sudo cp /etc/fail2ban/jail.conf /etc/fail2ban/jail.local
sudo nano /etc/fail2ban/jail.local

Start with the [sshd] section and configure ban time and max retries to fit your needs.

Final Thoughts: Security Checklist for VPS Server Setup

Securing your Ubuntu VPS doesn’t have to be a long process. This checklist can be implemented in under 30 minutes and provides a solid foundation for any server. For ongoing protection, remember to review logs, patch regularly, and perform periodic security audits.


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