VPS 101: Basics, Security, and Cool Things You Can Do

A Virtual Private Server (VPS) is like renting a small slice of a powerful computer in a data center. It looks and feels like your own Linux or Windows machine, but it runs on shared physical hardware.

This guide covers:

• What a VPS is
• How to set one up
• How to harden (secure) it
• Fun and practical things you can do

What is a VPS?

• Virtual Private: It’s isolated—other customers can’t access your data.
• Server: Runs 24/7 and can host websites, apps, and services.

Compared to shared hosting, a VPS gives you:

✅ Root access
✅ Flexibility to install anything
✅ Better performance and isolation

Common providers:

• DigitalOcean
• Linode
• Hetzner
• AWS Lightsail

Getting Started

After ordering your VPS, you typically get:

• An IP address (e.g., 203.0.113.5)
• A root password or SSH key login

Connect via SSH:

ssh root@203.0.113.5

First steps:

1. Update packages:

   apt update && apt upgrade

2. Create a new user:

   adduser myuser
   usermod -aG sudo myuser
   

3. Add SSH keys:

   mkdir -p /home/myuser/.ssh
   nano /home/myuser/.ssh/authorized_keys
   

   Paste your public key, save, and set permissions:

   chmod 600 /home/myuser/.ssh/authorized_keys
   chown -R myuser:myuser /home/myuser/.ssh
   

4. Disable root SSH login:

   Edit /etc/ssh/sshd_config:

   PermitRootLogin no
   PasswordAuthentication no
   

   Restart SSH:

   systemctl restart ssh
   

Hardening Your VPS

Securing your server is critical. Here are essentials:

✅ Firewall (UFW):

ufw allow OpenSSH
ufw enable

✅ Fail2ban (brute force protection):

apt install fail2ban
systemctl enable fail2ban --now

✅ Automatic security updates:

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

✅ Minimal services:

Disable unused services:

systemctl list-unit-files --type=service
systemctl disable <service>

✅ Regular backups:

• Use rsync or snapshots.
• Test restoring backups periodically.

Useful Things You Can Do with a VPS

Once secured, you can do all sorts of fun or productive stuff:

🎯 Host a Website or Blog

• Use Nginx or Caddy.
• Deploy static sites (like Zola or Hugo).
• Add SSL with Let’s Encrypt.

🎯 Run a Private Git Server

• Gitea
• GitLab CE

🎯 Create a VPN

• WireGuard is fast and easy.
• Protect your browsing on public Wi-Fi.

🎯 Self-host Applications

• Nextcloud (file syncing)
• Jellyfin (media server)
• Uptime Kuma (monitoring)

🎯 Automate Tasks

• Run cron jobs
• Host bots or scrapers
• Set up your own APIs

🎯 Experiment & Learn

• Try Docker, Kubernetes, Ansible
• Practice penetration testing in a safe environment

Final Thoughts

Owning a VPS feels like owning a little piece of the internet.
If you secure it properly and keep it updated, it’s an incredibly powerful tool for learning, hosting, and creating.