🛠 What to Do After Buying a VPS: Step-by-Step Guide

After purchasing and activating your virtual server, many users ask: what’s next? This guide explains the essential steps to take immediately after buying a VPS to make it secure, efficient, and ready to use.

🔑 Step 1: Access Your Server

Once your server is active, you’ll receive an email with its IP address, login (usually root), and password. Use an SSH client to connect:

• 🔹 Windows: PuTTY or MobaXterm;
• 🔹 macOS / Linux: ssh root@IP in terminal.

🔒 Step 2: Secure Your VPS

Security should be your first priority. We recommend:

• ✅ Change the root password;
• ✅ Create a separate user and disable root login;
• ✅ Set up SSH keys and disable password login;
• ✅ Install Fail2Ban to block brute-force attacks;
• ✅ Configure a firewall (UFW or iptables).

⚙️ Step 3: Install System Updates

Updated software ensures better security and performance. After connecting:

# For Ubuntu/Debian:
apt update && apt upgrade -y

# For CentOS/AlmaLinux:
yum update -y

📦 Step 4: Install Essential Software

It depends on your goals: web server (Apache/Nginx), database (MySQL, PostgreSQL), PHP and modules. At minimum, install:

• 🔧 Web server: apt install nginx or yum install httpd;
• 🔧 PHP: apt install php php-cli php-mysql;
• 🔧 DB: apt install mariadb-server.

🖥 Step 5: Install a Control Panel (optional)

For easier server management, install a hosting panel:

• 🌐 ISPmanager — commercial, user-friendly, with Russian support;
• 🌐 HestiaCP / VestaCP — free and lightweight;
• 🌐 CyberPanel — great for OpenLiteSpeed and WordPress.

📁 Step 6: Set Up Backups

Regular backups are essential to restore your data in case of failure. Use:

• 🔄 rsync for manual backups;
• 🔄 BorgBackup or Duplicati for automation;
• 🔄 External storage, FTP, or cloud services.