Deploying a new dedicated server without proper security hardening is one of the most common — and costly — mistakes businesses make. Default server configurations are not secure enough for production use.
This Linux server hardening guide by BeStarHost walks you through essential steps to protect your dedicated server from day one.
Step 1: Update the Operating System
apt update && apt upgrade -y
Always start with the latest security patches.
Step 2: Secure SSH Access
- Change the default SSH port
- Disable root login
- Use SSH key authentication
PermitRootLogin no PasswordAuthentication no
Step 3: Create a Non-Root User
adduser adminuser usermod -aG sudo adminuser
Daily server administration should never be performed as root.
Step 4: Configure a Firewall
ufw allow ssh ufw enable
Only open ports required for your applications.
Step 5: Protect Against Brute-Force Attacks
apt install fail2ban
Fail2Ban automatically blocks malicious login attempts.
Step 6: Disable Unnecessary Services
- Remove unused software
- Stop unused services
- Reduce attack surface
Step 7: Enable Automatic Security Updates
apt install unattended-upgrades
Step 8: Secure Application Services
- Restrict services to private IPs
- Use TLS encryption
- Enable authentication wherever possible
Step 9: Monitoring and Logging
- Enable system logs
- Monitor CPU, memory, disk, and network usage
- Set alerts for suspicious activity
Step 10: Regular Backups
- Automate backups
- Store backups off-server
- Test recovery procedures regularly
Security is not a one-time task — it’s an ongoing process. Following this dedicated server security checklist ensures your infrastructure is protected from common threats and misconfigurations.
With BeStarHost, security best practices are built into every dedicated server we deploy.