A virtual private server (VPS) can be ideal for hosting high-load applications, like eCommerce platforms, email servers, or other applications that attract a large amount of traffic. A VPS can be more affordable and more easily scalable than a dedicated server, while offering better performance than shared hosting.
In this article, we will explore the basics of how to set up secure VPS hosting for high-load applications.
Find a Reliable VPS Provider
First, you need to find a reliable and cheap VPS hosting provider. While price is an important consideration, try to find a provider offering the full range of features you need and do not compromise on security.
For high-load applications, make sure your chosen provider supports unlimited incoming traffic, plenty of outgoing traffic, continuous DDoS mitigation and global availability, with locations close to your target audience.
Initial Configuration Steps
After selecting a VPS provider and paying for the service, you should have access to a user control panel and setup instructions. Follow the instructions to connect to your server, and then you can proceed with configuring VPS hosting.
First, you need to change your SSH port. By default, it will be ’22’ and changing this can help to protect you against brute force attacks. To do this, you need to edit the SSH configuration file, typically located at/etc/ssh/sshd_config.
If your server runs on Windows, type “regedit” into the Windows search box and launch Registry Editor. On the left hand side, you should see a registry subkey that begins with ‘HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE’. Click it, find the PortNumber entry and you can modify the SSH port number to a preferred number, ideally above 1024.
For Linux, you can edit the value using a text editor like Nano or Vim.
Antivirus, Firewalls and More
Next, make sure you install antivirus software. Possible options include Kaspersky and Comodo.
You should also make sure you have a firewall set up and configured properly.
Next, switch from password authentication to SSH key authentication, as this is more secure. In most cases, the easiest way to set this up is to use a tool like PuTTY to generate and add comments to your keys.
Create a new user profile and use this for day-to-day tasks, instead of using the root user. Turn on automatic security updates too, as this will help to continually plug cyber security gaps over time.
Once your VPS hosting is up and running, you can install a server, like Apache or NGINX.
It is important to continually monitor performance using a tool like Prometheus. This allows you to identify potential issues quickly and also makes it easier to make adjustments if demand is too high.
Final Thoughts
Secure VPS hosting offers a number of advantages over shared hosting and is more affordable than a dedicated server. However, you need to choose the right provider and take some steps to configure your VPS. You will also need to continually monitor performance and make adjustments, if necessary.