Getting Started with Your Endercloud VPS
First-login checklist for a fresh Linux VPS, secure it before you build.
Introduction
A fresh VPS is a blank slate. Before you install anything, do the security basics. This checklist takes 10 minutes and prevents 99% of "my server got hacked" tickets.
First-Login Checklist
- 1SSH in as root with the password emailed to you
- 2Update everything:
apt update && apt upgrade -y- 1Set the timezone:
timedatectl set-timezone Asia/Kolkata- 1Set a hostname:
hostnamectl set-hostname myserver- 1Reboot:
rebootYou now have a patched, named, time-correct box.
Next Things to Do
- Create a non-root user
- Set up a firewall (UFW)
- Switch SSH to key-based login
- Install a web server
- Install Node.js
Useful Diagnostic Commands
htop, live CPU/RAM usagedf -h, disk space per partitionfree -h, RAM and swapuptime, load average and uptimejournalctl -xe, recent system errors
Tip: Bookmark your VPS's IP, you'll type it a lot.
Warning: Don't run unknown scripts as root. curl | bash is convenient and dangerous.
Need More Help?
First time on Linux? Our Discord has a #vps channel with friendly humans.
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Still need help?
Our team is on Discord around the clock. Real humans, real answers.