The managed virtual private server (VPS) market has been on the rise in the last few years.
It’s not an unusual process when you take into account the benefits:
- You get a significant boost in server performance
- Managed VPS solutions excel in reliability and resource scalability
- The technology is much more affordable than dedicated servers
But our focus today is on security and answering the big question – is managed VPS secure?
Cybersecurity is a pressing topic for online businesses nowadays, with statistics becoming more and more worrying. Safety breaches have increased by 11% in the last year alone and 67% since 2014. Today, a new hacker attack occurs every 39 seconds.
Those are some mind-blowing numbers.
We have to bet on a highly secure hosting solution for our web projects, that’s for sure. So, let’s see if the virtual servers are the key to our ultimate website safety.
What is Managed VPS Security?
Securing a virtual server is a shared responsibility between provider and client. So, the more your host is doing to strengthen its servers, the less precautions the user has to take additionally.
Hackers are always on the lookout for new victims, so you better be prepared. Here are the most common types of attacks and how your provider can help tackle them:
Malware
This depicts all types of malicious software that aims to exploit your network vulnerabilities. Usually activated by clicking on a message or attachment. Different forms include viruses, worms, spyware, ransomware, etc.
Phishing
The most common type of web attack nowadays. The hacker breaches your communication and poses as a legitimate entity, asking for delicate details. It can be your payment vendor, telecom operator, or utility company – once you submit your details, you leave the door wide open for any unauthorized access.
DDoS Attacks
Distributed-denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks are commonly used to overload servers and bring client services down. The hacker sends floods of fake traffic, which generates endless server requests. Such attacks vary greatly in time and can last anything between a few minutes to weeks, even months.
SQL Injections
The Structured Query Language (SQL) injections target your databases. By inserting malicious code in your SQL, the hackers trick the server they are legitimate users and make it reveal sensitive information.
And that’s not even half of it…
Time for the good news, though.
At Scala Hosting, we are well-aware just how crucial VPS security really is and take all precautions. Our proprietary SShield solution that comes with every SPanel comes with all the fixings – automated AI for threat detection, anti-spam and anti-malware filters, web attacks protection, client alert protocol. The platform’s effectiveness is unmatched, blocking over 99.998% of web attacks automatically.
Learn more about SShield here.
Is Managed VPS secure?
A managed VPS service means that you have an entire team of trained hosting professionals available 24/7 for your service. Most often this is done via internal ticketing, but some providers can offer phone and chat tech support as well.
That is crucial when it comes to VPS security. Whether you want to change a firewall rule, run an update, or reset a password – a quick contact with the support team can solve things for you. After all, the operators deal with the technology on a daily basis and can best locate its underlying problems.
To get a better picture, let’s compare managed VPS solutions with other popular types of web hosting.
- Managed VPS vs Shared Hosting Security
There is not much competition here. Shared servers often house 10x-15x more customers, all sharing the same resources…and security vulnerabilities. The worst thing about this setup is, you can do your best to protect your website but if another account on the server is breached – everyone is in danger. In comparison, VPS instances are isolated and completely independent of each other.
- Managed VPS vs Unmanaged VPS Security
This one is a bit trickier and depends on your own skills, really. If you know how to secure a server and feel you can easily do it on your own – even an unmanaged server can give you maximum protection. The managed VPS solutions simply eliminate the need for doing this on your own and instead appoint in-house experts to take care of security threats.
- Managed VPS vs Cloud Server Security
Virtual private servers and cloud platforms are quite similar – the latter simply utilize an entire network to host your content. There is no single breaking point, which is good, but that also makes the whole configuration harder to secure. No wonder cloud servers often suffer from malicious attacks.
- Managed VPS vs Dedicated Server Security
Similar to the unmanaged VPS, security is entirely in your hands with a dedicated machine. You are the sole owner of the hardware and can operate it as you wish. Depending on the host, you can have tech support included or paid as a premium service.
How to Secure Your VPS?
The best managed VPS hosting is secure on its own, but you, the client, are equally responsible for keeping everything safe.
Here are a few things you can do to harden your defense against hacker attacks.
- Set Up a Firewall – configure your own firewall and set up rules for your content availability and public access. On a fully managed VPS hosting, this is often done by your service provider.
- Use Strong Passwords – even the best anti-spam and anti-malware filters won’t do you any good if your password is “123456” or “monkey.” Hackers often use modern decrypting mechanisms, so a long, complex password can significantly slow them down. Go wild with uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, special symbols – you can never be too secure.
- Keep Everything Updated – outdated software and plugins are one of the most common doorways for malicious breaches. You can start by revising which add-ons are really needed and disable/remove the rest. Keep tabs on your active software and apply important updates whenever possible.
- Do Regular Offsite Backups – even if the unexpected happens, you can still be prepared and avoid the risk of losing valuable data permanently. For that, you can always trust a good backup system. Check if your host offers a daily backup solution, but even if so, we always recommend storing an extra copy of your data in an offsite location.
- Disable Unnecessary Logins – for starters, ensure you are the only one to have superuser access on the server. No one else should be able to give rights or have full privileges on your VPS. Other helpful tips here include restricting access by IP, IP range, or domain name.
- Change the default SSH port – VPS clients often utilize SSH (secure shell) for root access and easy server management. Hackers are aware of that as well and frequently attack through the popular network protocol. One quick solution would be to change the default port number. It’s like robbing a bank without knowing where the vault is.
Final Takes
Our quest into the virtual private server world should’ve taught us:
- What are managed and unmanaged VPS services?
- How can you benefit from a managed VPS solution?
- But perhaps, most importantly – is managed VPS secure?
Virtual private servers are perhaps the most secure out of all hosting solutions. Taking the best out of both worlds, the VPS offers the control and resource isolation of the dedicated server at the price of a shared account. Opting-in for a managed service will add your provider’s expert support as an extra line of assistance.
Realizing the importance of a secure VPS server, Scala Hosting offers professional help via ticketing, chat, and phone.
FAQ
Q: What is VPS hosting used for?
A: Virtual private servers are an ideal solution for clients who want more control over their operations. Flaunting 5x-10x better performance than the average shared platforms, VPS hosting guarantees optimal speeds and uptime.
Scalability is one of the key benefits of this type of service, allowing growing businesses to steadily add resources on a per-need basis. Perfect for more complex and resource-demanding projects.
Q: How do I secure my server?
A: Securing your VPS server starts with a reliable hosting provider, so picking a suitable host will be your first step. After the initial hardware setup, you can do your part to harden your defenses.
You can set up a firewall, automate your updates, and block unwanted access to your data. Keeping your passwords strong (and even updating them regularly) is a crucial part of your website security and can significantly lower the risk of hacker breaches.
Q: What is a fully managed server?
A: Many developers, designers, and business owners prefer to focus on growing their client base, instead of tinkering with web servers. This is why they prefer to hand all control over to the hosting provider.On a fully managed VPS, you don’t need to know the first thing about servers. Your host’s support will take care of the hardware setups, software installation, updates, monitoring, maintenance, and all other technicalities.
What is a VPS – Everything you need to know!
