The majority of organizations prefer managed dedicated hosting services for stable website and application performance. Speed, isolation, and dependability are all important characteristics of a dedicated hosting solution. The typical assumption in managed dedicated hosting is that when an organization chooses a managed dedicated hosting solution, the provider will manage all security measures. This assumption can create security gaps, and attackers can penetrate a system and access sensitive information. While dedicated hosting solutions provide multiple layers of security, you need to implement a few security hardening measures to protect against security disasters.
Cost is a factor in selecting a cheap dedicated server hosting in India, even though performance and reliability are very important. Most companies choose to purchase cheap dedicated server hosting to save money. However, it’s essential to understand that security is a continuous process; it cannot be established once and then forgotten about.
Leaving Default Ports and Credentials
Users make the most common mistake of leaving their SSH, FTP and admin panel ports at the default setting. This is a huge mistake and a common target for cybercriminals, as they actively scan for these port numbers. The Sophos 2024 report indicated that brute-force attacks increased by 37% year over year, with the majority of attacks targeting default port settings and unchanged passwords.
The default server settings are very easy to predict due to a common pattern, which therefore creates vulnerability for your server.
How to correct this mistake:
- Change the SSH port from 22 to a custom value.
- Disable root login.
- Create a separate sudo user.
- Implement long, unique passwords.
Skipping Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
As the number of credential thefts grows, MFA is a necessity for all organizations, not an option. According to Verizon’s Data Breach Investigation report, 74% of breaches were caused by stolen or weak passwords. The mere addition of MFA will eliminate most unauthorized access attempts.
Dedicated server owners commonly do not use MFA due to perceived inconvenience factors. However, the disruption caused by a breach is far more devastating than the minor inconvenience of using MFA.
What should I do?
- Use MFA for all SSH access.
- Implement MFA on cPanel, Plesk and any other host administration control panel.
- Utilize applications on smartphones or similar devices to create one-time passcodes (MFA).
Forgetting Routine Software & Kernel Versions
A server’s hardware can be powerful enough to handle large amounts of data, but it will not work efficiently if essential packages and software are all outdated and no longer supported.
According to the CISA 2023 report, more than 60% of all exploited vulnerabilities were over two years old. Attackers will usually target older, unpatched servers because they are the most vulnerable points.
Suggestions for protecting your server from exploitation include:
- Use a patch management system.
- Implement automatic kernel updates.
- Server reboot after applying a critical patch.
Poorly Managed Firewall and IP Restrictions
Many users assume that the built-in firewall that comes with the OS is sufficient protection. In reality, it’s not sufficient. By keeping all ports open rather than closing any, you have increased your potential for exposure to cyber threats.
Researchers at Bitdefender conducted a cybersecurity assessment, discovering that among most servers they scanned, 75% had at least one non-essential port open (which are often exploited by bots/automated malware).
Therefore, do the following:
- Block all unnecessary ports except for those that are explicitly necessary.
- Set up CSF or UFW firewall rules.
- Restrict the ability to access SSH to specific whitelisted IP addresses.
Lack of Intrusion Detection and System Logs
When companies have robust security, attackers attempt to break it. If companies do not actively monitor their logs for any activity, they will miss potential signs of a breach before it happens.
According to the IBM X-Force Threat Intelligence Index 2024 report, a typical organization takes an average of 204 days from the date of a breach to detect the actual incident. There are significant risks involved due to the amount of work performed on dedicated servers.
Therefore, to minimize their risk, organisations must:
- Implement an intrusion detection system such as Fail2Ban.
- Regularly review and monitor their server logs.
- Set up alerts via email/SMS for any suspicious activity being detected.
Keeping Backups Locally on the Server
The most typical, and potentially harmful, error is the lack of professional assistance when trying to restore a failed website. If a company loses access to its primary server due to malware or ransomware, any backups stored on that same server become worthless because the attack affects both the primary data and the backups.
According to Acronis’s Cyber Protection 2024 report, over 33% of companies reported that their backups were lost as a direct result of storing the backup files on their primary server.
The loss of backup files due to a mistake can literally wipe out years’ worth of data.
The following steps should be followed to protect your critical backup files:
- Store all backups on an external hard drive or cloud bucket.
- Create automatic redundant backups.
- Encrypt backup files.
Closing Perspective
While you have ultimate control over a dedicated server, you also have responsibility. No matter how much assistance you think you may need from a managed dedicated host, you will still need to implement some fundamental security measures on your own. Even when choosing a cheap dedicated server hosting in India, there are certain areas that you must secure in addition to what the provider offers.
While security hardening may seem difficult, it really is just a matter of consistency and discipline. If you forget a few simple security hardening techniques, your server could be subject to increased risk of attack or data theft. On the other hand, remembering even one or two security hardening techniques can protect your revenue, reputation, and data. Keep yourself updated on the most current best practices for securing your server; keep it as secure as possible; and consider it more than just a server and think of it as a long-term digital asset.
