Securing a bare metal server requires a systematic approach. This guide covers essential hardening steps for dedicated servers.
Initial Setup
- Change all default credentials immediately
- Disable root SSH login, use key-based authentication only
- Configure a firewall (iptables/nftables or ufw) with whitelist approach
- Enable automatic security updates for the OS
- Install and configure fail2ban for brute-force protection
Network Security
- Close all unnecessary ports
- Enable DDoS protection at the network level (provided by BRHosting)
- Configure SSL/TLS for all web services with modern cipher suites
- Implement network segmentation if running multiple services
Application Security
- Keep all software up to date
- Use containerization (Docker) for application isolation
- Implement proper logging and monitoring
- Regular vulnerability scanning
Backup Strategy
Follow the 3-2-1 rule: 3 copies of data, on 2 different media types, with 1 off-site copy. BRHosting supports automated backup solutions.