15 Security Tips for Linux VPS Hosting

Virtual Private Servers (VPS) give website owners more control of their site’s configurations and experience, so it’s no surprise that most website owners prefer it over standard shared hosting. Since customers have more control over server settings, VPS service is more challenging to secure. It’s still a virtual server connected to the network, so security for host administrators and customers should be a priority to protect data on the VPS instance and the host network.

What is VPS?

VPS implies that web hosts offer virtual private servers that split up a bare-metal server into smaller VPS instances instead of sharing all resources using shared servers. Each instance looks and feels like a dedicated server to customers, but it’s a virtual machine with dedicated resources. The resources are allocated based on the customer’s service level, but allocated resources could vary across each virtual machine and web host.

Another advantage of VPS Hosting is that customers can run their own preferred Linux distributions. They can run several virtual machines on the host server with different distros of their choice for various reasons. It’s usually a more affordable option than using dedicated servers either on a third-party host or building out the infrastructure on-premise.

Can Linux VPS Be Hacked? Is it Secure?

Yes, VPS could be hacked. Given enough time and dedication, any server can be hacked, including virtual machines, even with security controls in place. No system is ever 100% risk-free, but administrators can reduce risk to the lowest possible level to avoid threats and stop attacks. The Linux operating system is generally secure, but vulnerabilities are introduced when users misconfigure the system, add vulnerable software, leave applications unpatched, or download and install malware locally. As the system changes, the risk also increases or decreases depending on what was changed.

Sophisticated malware can affect more than just the local machine. It can sometimes traverse the network from the hosted server, and it can occasionally affect other systems. If any sensitive data is stored on the local server, it would be exposed and the host could be the victim of a data breach. Even without traversing the network, malware affects the local virtual machine instance.

The virtual machine instance hosts the customer’s website, so even if malware does not affect other customers on the server, it does affect the local instance’s hosted applications. Should a customer keep sensitive information on the server, it could be disclosed to attackers if the hosted site is not secure.

How to Secure a VPS?

There are several steps to secure VPS hosting. While hosting providers rely somewhat on the customers protecting their site, administrators can still configure and install software that will better secure a VPS. Customers hosting their sites on VPS can also take steps to secure their sites and services.

1. Choose a Hosting Provider That Takes Security Seriously

Customers rely on web hosts to keep infrastructure secure. Not every web hosting provider treats security equally. To keep a website secure, customers should choose their web host wisely. For example, Interserver.net has proven to focus on security of their customer sites. Interserver.net is a US-based hosting service with a good reputation for quality service at an affordable price. They have two datacenters on the east and west coast of the US to service their thousands of customers ranging from small individual site owners to Fortune 500s. Read the full story on how Interserver streamlined its operations with CloudLinux OS, Imunify360 and KernelCare. And you can find additional hosts that put the right scanning and monitoring tools in place in the Imunify360 host directory.

1. Choose a Hosting Provider That Takes Security Seriously

Customers rely on web hosts to keep infrastructure secure. Not every web hosting provider treats security equally. To keep a website secure, customers should choose their web host wisely. For example, Interserver.net has proven to focus on security of their customer sites. Interserver.net is a US-based hosting service with a good reputation for quality service at an affordable price. They have two datacenters on the east and west coast of the US to service their thousands of customers ranging from small individual site owners to Fortune 500s. Read the full story on how Interserver streamlined its operations with CloudLinux OS, Imunify360 and KernelCare. And you can find additional hosts that put the right scanning and monitoring tools in place in the Imunify360 host directory.