14 Critical Steps to Secure Windows VPS Server

Securing Windows VPS operating system is critical, and increasing security is very important. In this article, you will learn the best ways to increase security to prevent hacker threats and attacks. If you have not purchased your own Windows VPS, choose the correct VPS package on our website. Then, join us with this guide since securing Windows VPS Server is the step you have to do after buying a Windows VPS.

How Can I Secure Windows VPS Server?

In this article, we will tell you all the 14 required and fundamental ways to increase the security of the Windows Virtual Server, and by observing these points, you can use your Virtual Server without any worries.

1. Use Unknown Ports for Different Services

When connecting to a Windows virtual server, most users use the default port, which makes it easier for hackers or brute-force attacks to access server resources because they are known ports. Most people are familiar with these ports; For example, the RDP port is a known port. Anyway, you’ve learned how to change RDP port.

Of course, by changing the default ports to unknown ports, you can significantly prevent these attacks and secure Windows VPS.

2. Activate the Firewall in Windows Server

Activating the firewall in Windows VPS Server is another essential factor in increasing the security of the Windows Virtual Server, which allows you to block or unblock a specific IP.

You can freely filter the settings related to the Internet, and incoming and outgoing traffic to control your network; The firewall also blocks traffic with suspicious addresses to prevent potential dangers, So be sure to use Windows Firewall to secure Windows VPS easily.

3. Choose a Right & Strong Password for the Administrator Account

Do not write down your password in any way, forget any of the security tips, or steal your memory drive; They can access your password and compromise the security of your Windows Virtual Server.

Use hard passwords. Choose a password that is a combination of numbers, symbols, uppercase, and lowercase letters and symbols; Also, note that the password you choose is long, such as the following password:

-!2Bml^125/*

As you see, this is a simple and smart way to secure Windows VPS.

4. Change the Default Account

It is better to deactivate the admin account and create a new account.

When you buy a VPS, you must first have an operating system with a default account. You should note that these types of accounts are often at risk of brute-force attacks. Therefore, you need to change the account; Also, Remember to give admin privileges to the new account to secure Windows VPS.

5. Windows VPS Update

Microsoft regularly and sensitively provides various updates to reduce the security holes in the operating system; updating the Windows operating system is very important and can significantly increase software security installed on Windows.

You can set the updates you receive for the operating system to be obeyed or turn on automatic updates on your operating system to install updates automatically.

Of course, keep in mind that installing multiple software is not a good idea; we will give more details about installing software in the next section.

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Note: since you can not always guarantee 100% Secure Windows VPS, you can maximally prevent intrusion into your virtual server and serious attacks by observing the security points mentioned in this article;

If one of your concerns is security, do not hesitate to choose Opera VPS; Linux and Windows virtual server in Opera VPS is one of the most powerful and secure servers and is always available.

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6. Only Install the Required Operating System Packages

When installing Windows Server, pay attention to installing the software as custom; Doing so will reduce the number of attacks and updates and secure Windows VPS.

As the number of software installed on your virtual server increases, so do the security risks.

7. Set up Multiple Accounts

Set the following required permissions when multiple users have access to the server:

1. Enable two-step authentication.
2. Do not use a blank password.
3. Do not use Chrome Password Manager to store your passwords.
4. Avoid setting up unnecessary access to user accounts.

8. Use Encryption in BitLocker Mode

Using encryption in BitLocker mode helps you have the necessary security in offline mode; Prevents malware from infiltrating, and is an anti-malware tool against malware. Even when the server is off, Bitlocker remains active to increase server security.

Other features of Bitlocker include cryptographic encryption of information and data; Note that you can only access data and server information when you decrypt Bitlocker by the same system that has been used for encryption; Otherwise, All information without a Bitlocker password, as a string of Random text items, is displayed.

Note: To install Bitlocker, you need permission to access management protocols on the server.

9. Use SFTP Instead of FTP and FTPS

FTP is a data transfer protocol without data encryption and most people use SFTP instead of FTP. Even if you use FTPS, which also has encryption, you should know that it still has low security, then it is better to use SFTP.

Unlike FTP and FTPS, which use two ports, for example, port 20 for both authentication and file sending, and port 21 for sending files; In SFTP, only one port is used that works based on the network protocol (SSH), which significantly reduces the risk of work.

10. Original and Legal Windows Private Server

Note that using cracked and illegal Windows servers significantly reduces your server security.

Some users install Windows Server at a lower price than the original, through sources that provide cracked and illegal files, even in some free! What do you think makes these types of VPS prices lower than the price of the original versions?

Although unknown individuals do the remove of restrictions in the form of cracked files on illegal Windows servers; It is better to keep in mind the serious risk that the same anonymous person can have full access to your Windows server at any time, even by installing an antivirus and running a firewall, you can not prevent that person from infiltrating.

You can also access the following items by buying original and legal Windows servers from most reputable sites:

1. Get the essential software from Microsoft that requires the original and legal VPS.
2. Use Microsoft support
3. More stability compared to the original versions
4. Get real updates

So it is better to use authentic VPS and pay access to Windows Server restrictions by paying a little more than illegal Windows servers and ensuring your Windows server’s security.

11. Use Windows SandBox on Windows 10

windows sandbox in Windows 10 looks like a virtual machine and allows you to run and test software that is not reliable in a separate and independent environment

A very light environment with a capacity of about 100 MB, which is also optimized for booting and running software faster, the main purpose of Windows Sandbox is to increase security and works with integrated kernel programming, virtual graphics, and smart memory management.

When you run this feature, a new Windows 10 will be installed and run virtually. Also, when you try to disable this feature, SandBox will automatically remove any software you have installed in SandBox.

Note that this feature is a virtual feature in Windows 10 and does not directly affect your main system, and any software you install for testing runs inside the SandBox.

12. Restrict IP in Remote Desktop

Updating the Remote Desktop default port might not be sufficient on its own. Restricting the IP addresses that can connect to your Windows VPS using Remote Desktop is one technique to further strengthen security. This is especially helpful if only you are connecting from home or if only a few people are connecting from a fixed place, such as an office. This strategy may be ideal for you if your ISP offers static IP services because you will know exactly which IP you will use to log in to Remote Desktop. This approach has some limitations, though, as it may become problematic if more individuals are using your VPN or if they are not all in one place.

Also, if you can no longer connect to Remote Desktop using your previously established IPs, you run the risk of locking yourself out. Before using this security precaution, you should definitely carefully consider the benefits and drawbacks; nonetheless, if you do so, your Windows VPS will be considerably more secure.

13. Install Antivirus

While downloading, uploading, and browsing through the internet, the chance of infecting danger is high for your Windows VPS. A firewall cannot protect you from practically all internet security risks, but an antivirus can. Yet protecting Windows VPS is best accomplished by combining the two.

Your VPS could come into contact with malware, viruses, spyware, adware, and other hacking tools. It is obvious how crucial an antivirus is to protecting your VPS.  To secure Windows VPS, you can start with Microsoft’s free and feature-rich Essentials package.  It automatically refreshes with the most recent definition.  Your VPS is additionally offered real-time protection.

14. Set Up an Intrusion Detection System (IDS)

On your Windows Server, an intrusion detection system, or IDS, functions like a burglar alarm. It maintains track of which files and when they were modified and notifies you of any new changes. This is significant because hackers frequently attempt to change binary programs. To protect your server from such a danger, use IDS.

Not everyone can set up an intrusion protection and detection tool, but it is an effective way to secure Windows VPS Server. Hiring specialists in this area is highly recommended. Even better, you can speak with your Windows VPS hosting company for more dependable assistance. Make sure a firewall-like program is monitoring the network traffic going to your VPS in real time. Also, this software must be able to recognize attack signatures.

Conclusion

In this article, you reviewed 14 Critical Steps to Secure Windows VPS Server. Security has always been a significant concern in the Internet world; hackers have always been one of the main threats on the Internet and are always looking for a security vulnerability in your network or server so that they can access your server; Ensuring the security of the virtual server is therefore essential against hackers and serious attacks.

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