If you’re managing a WordPress site, you have to protect your hosting environment as much as you can. VPS hosting security really matters and can keep your site free from attack, viruses, malware, downtime, and more.
When you implement strong WordPress security VPS measures from day one, all of your hosting services are solid and reliable.
With VPS hosting for WordPress sites, you have far more control and flexibility than traditional hosting solutions as well. That said, you will need to take a more proactive approach to hosting security as well.
In this blog post, we will go over some of the best VPS security practices for keeping your WordPress VPS protected from vulnerabilities. Whether you have a managed VPS or an unmanaged VPS solution, these best practices will keep your site secure, fast, and accessible for your users.
Common WordPress Security Risks on VPS Hosting
WordPress is the most globally used CMS thus making it an attractive “target” for cyber-invaders on the web! There’s still a chance vulnerabilities may exist when using VPS hosting security tools improperly or inconsistently, as well as the importance of any security risks you need to consider when maintaining your WordPress install. Below are some “security risks” you should be aware of when it comes to WordPress.
- Brute Force Attacks: This looks like the cyber-criminal using an automated tool to guess the admin password. Without effective WordPress security VPS protocols, such attacks can quickly succeed in compromising your WordPress site. This can take seconds!
- Malware Infections: Malware can corrupt everything that is your site, also related data. Strong VPS hosting security can detect and isolate malware early, preventing long-term damage, and also performance and visitors to your site.
- SQL Injection: This is where a hacker gets into your WordPress database and compromises it, they will take sensitive information or worse, delete or modify your data.
- Outdated Software: If you do not keep your WordPress, and any plugins updated regularly, your VPS hosting security could be compromised. Applying WordPress security VPS patching practices helps reduce this risk significantly keeping WordPress updated with regulating updates, you could be attacked as the vulnerabilities do exist and tend to be fast, and much more with a VPS hosting package vs your shared hosting package!
Although VPS hosting & improvement in security provided some safety vs shared hosting, these can still be a good exercise if you are worried about “”. and potentially resulting impacts to the availability, and ultimately, integrity of your site!
Best VPS Security Practices
You will want to adhere to these security practices for the best possible WordPress VPS protection and provide a safe and stable environment.
Firewalls and Intrusion Detection
A firewall will filter traffic heading to and from your WordPress VPS. These are foundational components of VPS hosting security and critical for building a strong WordPress security VPS system.
In addition, there are Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) that help to identify if malicious activity is happing in real time, so you can see suspicious traffic right away. Together, good firewalls and IDS can help protect your site from:
- malicious bots attempting to breach vulnerabilities
- unauthorized access to sensitive files or data
Make sure your VPS has a firewall onboard, and that it prevents unwanted or harmful traffic. ConfigServer Security & Firewall (CSF) is a commonly used tool that can help protect your VPS.
SSL and Encryption
SSL certificates are needed to encrypt any data transmitted from your website to your users. They’re also essential in VPS hosting security strategies to protect user communication and improve WordPress security VPS benchmarks. In addition, Google usages HTTPS as a ranking factor and has even started to begin to provide “encryption” for:
- passwords
- usernames
- payments
By utilizing an SSL certificate on your VPS WordPress site, you protect user data and make it difficult for hackers to intercept sensitive user information.
Backups
Regular backups can provide an extra layer of protection as part of your WordPress security VPS strategy. This is often overlooked in basic VPS hosting security checklists, yet it can be a life-saver when your WordPress VPS becomes compromised.
Always make a habit of regularly backing up your files, databases, and configurations. When or if your site is compromised, you will be able to recover your site in a relatively short amount of time, with the previous secure version having an absolute minimum of new content lost.
A few best practices related to making backups are:
- Backups can be performed daily or weekly depending on how busy your site is.
- You should have multiple copies of your backups in different off site storage locations.
- Automated backups can be setup using plugins or server tools.
Server Monitoring
Monitoring your server in real-time will catch unusual behaviour. Real-time visibility is a cornerstone of reliable VPS hosting security and effective WordPress security VPS planning. before it manifest into an alien problem. The parameters you can monitor include:
- CPU usage: You may see strange spikes in usage that could indicate a DoS attack or heavy traffic from malicious bots.
- RAM and Disk Space: This information can also help you narrow down activity that is either affecting performance or degrading security.
There are systems such as Nagios or Zabbix that provide great detail on reporting your WordPress VPS status.
Also, regularly examining your server logs and being alert to anomalies can allow you to figure out potential breaches of security, and also provide a quick recovery.
Managed VPS vs. Unmanaged Security
When dealing with managed VPS hosting versus unmanaged VPS hosting, One of the major differences is the amount of VPS hosting security assistance given. Managed services offer WordPress security VPS tools that help prevent breaches without much manual work.
Here’s the difference in terms of security:
Managed VPS Hosting
- Your hosting provider manages security updates, patches, etc.
- Reliably performs security audits to ensure your VPS is running up to date security protocol.
- Has monitoring capabilities that go a few steps further and deals with threats proactively (malware detection, ddos protection, etc.).
Unmanaged VPS Hosting
- You are on your own to secure your VPS (firewall, software updates, backups, etc.).
- Must have a certain level of basic server administration ability to secure your VPS.
- You must do the research and install third-party security tools (IDS, firewalls, SSL certificates, etc.) to secure your VPS.
As mentioned before, unmanaged VPS hosting allows for much more flexibility, but also allows for all of your security to be in your hands. But if you would rather be running your website than dealing with security, managed VPS hosting may be better for you.
How Managed VPS Hosting Handles Security for You
Managed VPS hosting is a great option for website owners who experience anxiety over website security. Providers typically include VPS hosting security features like malware scanning and WordPress security VPS firewalls issues.
If you utilize managed hosting, your provider incorporates great security features right into your hosting, so you can feel comfortable knowing your WordPress VPS is mostly immune to threats without having to worry constantly.
The following are some key security features typically offered with managed VPS hosting:
- Automatic Updates: Managed VPS providers ensure that the WordPress system, plugins and server software are constantly updated with the newest security patches.
- Advanced Threat Detection: Managed VPS providers have real-time monitoring and installed intrusion detection systems to take action against any potential security threats.
- Expert Support: Managed hosting offers dedicated support teams that can assist in security issues, so if you are targeted you are never alone.
- Backup and Disaster Recovery: Managed hosting commonly performs automatic backups, so if a breach occurs, your website can quickly be restored.
Internal Link: Read more of how managed VPS hosting can improve security and save you time managing WordPress.
Conclusion
Securing your VPS hosting is an important part of being able to run a reliable WordPress site. Whether managed or unmanaged, VPS hosting security paired with solid WordPress security VPS practices will keep your site running smoothly and securely in a secure manner.
The security best practices set out here will go a long way in hardening your site against common threats like brute force attacks, malware and data breaches with the use of things like firewalls, SSL certificates, regular backups and monitoring your server.
No matter if you’re using managed or unmanaged VPS hosting, making the time to invest in securing your WordPress VPS will allow you to maintain a site that is safe, fast and reliable.
If you’re looking for a managed solution that takes care of security leaving you to focus on growing your WordPress site, choose managed VPS hosting that meets your needs well.
Next Steps: Start securing your WordPress VPS today by practicing the best practices identified above, or consider upgrading to managed VPS hosting to make it easier.
FAQs
Q1: How do I improve VPS hosting security on my WordPress security VPS setup?
A1:Improving the VPS hosting security of your WordPress security VPS is possible by using a firewall, an SSL certificate, data backups, and live monitoring, an SSL certificate, data backups, and live monitoring of your server. You will also want to ensure that your WordPress site and the server software is always up-to-date.
Q2: What security difference is there between managed and unmanaged VPS hosting?
A2: Managed VPS hosting means that security updates, threat detection, and someone to help you is typically included; with unmanaged hosting, you are entirely responsible for your server security settings and updates.
Q3: Do I need an SSL certificate with my VPS WordPress site?
A3: Yes, you should install an SSL certificate to secure the data being transferred on your WordPress VPS site. The SSL certificate encrypts sensitive and user submitted data, increases your WordPress security, and improves your SEO.
Q4: How often should I backup my WordPress VPS?
A4: We recommend you backup your WordPress VPS at least once a week or more often depending on the last time you made changes to your site. In addition, we recommend you automate the backup process so that your site data is not forgotten or lost.