5 Crucial Steps To Securing A Vps Server

Securing your VPS server is a very important action to save you from virtual crime. As they say, prevention is better than cure, so you should keep your VPS server protected as early as possible. You can keep your Linux VPS secure with just a couple of steps. The following steps are the most important steps you need to take if you want to keep your VPS secure.

Firewall Installation

By installing a firewall, you can save your Linux virtual server hosting from unauthorized access and from powerful force attacks. You can also install other related tools such as CSF (Config Server Firewall), SIM (System Integrity Monitor), NSIV (Network Socket Inode Validation) and LES (Linux Environment Security). Although adding a firewall means that you need to open extra ports if you want to install new applications and programs, the added security is well worth the extra effort.

Installing root kit Hunter

Of course, some viruses like root kits, backdoors, local exploits, and Trojans can be sneaky enough to pass through a firewall. This is what a root kit hunter is for. If you're using a UK VPS hosting service, you shouldn't rest on your laurels. It's still important to routinely scan your system for flaws. If you want to install a root kit hunter, the following steps need to be followed.

a. Login to your server via SSH as root. [root@support007 ~]# cd /usr/local/src/

b. Make sure you have the latest version of RKHunter. [root@support007 ~]# wget rkhunter.1.3.2.tar.gz

c. Extract files as indicated. [root@support007 ~]# tar -xzvf rkhunter-1.3.2.tar.gz

d. [root@support007 ~]# cd rkhunter-1.3.2

e. [root@support007 ~]# ./installer.sh

f. RKHunter will then send you daily scan reports via email. [root@support007 ~]# pico /etc/cron.daily/rkhunter.sh You need to follow the bove steps if you want your root kit installation to be a success.

/tmp partition

Most of the attacks and exploits use /tmp to work out of any propagate themselves. By mounting /tmp with noexec and nosuid (meaning executables cannot be run from /tmp nor with escalated privileges), this stops many of these exploits from being able to do any harm. You can do it by adding none /tmp tmpfs nodev,nosuid,noexec 0 0 in "/etc/fstab". After doing so, save the file and reboot the VPS, now vps get mounted with "nosuid" and "noexec".

Installing ModSecurity

ModSecurity is actually a powerful shield against most attacks. It's open source, meaning it's free. It detects intrusions and prevents attacks on your programs that could be the most vulnerable. It's also compatible with Apache web servers.

PHP suEXEC

A PHP usually executes as the user or group (normally "apache" or "nobody") when it runs as an Apache Module. You can also make use of suexec, a mechanism supplied with Apache. This lets you execute CGI scripts as the user they belong to, instead of Apache's user. This improves security in situations where multiple mutually distrusting users have the possibility to put CGI content on the server.

You can secure your VPS hosting UK by following these five basic steps. You can protect it from external and even internal viruses. Because protecting your files and your hardware should be your top priority, you should be wary of any Trojans, root kits, and other possible dangers against your computer. Recovering all your lost data can be costly, and you can actually consider protecting your VPS as a smart investment, since it'll pay off in the long run.