Tips for Linux VPS server health and maintenance

January 30, 2020

People and companies often forget that if they want their businesses to run smoothly and without any issues, it is vital to properly maintain the servers their websites are running on. Regular maintenance is essential for server management and by making sure that everything is up-to-date and secure, various problems can be avoided altogether. It is not enough to just choose Linux VPS services, there have to be people taking proper care of the systems, too. Here are some tips that will help maintain your servers.

 

Backups

All essential data stored in your servers have to have backups in case something happens to the systems. It is advised to create these before any minor or major change, as even the smallest thing can cause serious issues like server delay or downtime.

Furthermore, they should be done quite regularly or in parallel with scheduled content changes. This way any unwanted modifications can be undone by restoring the pages to the previous versions with the help of the backups. To prevent data loss, specialists also strongly recommend saving them somewhere other than on the Linux VPS server itself. Whenever they are reprovisioned, the system wipes out any backups stored on the server. When looking for a VPS provider, it is strongly suggested to choose a company that also offers storage services.

 

Updates

Server updates are essential to any system. Without them, your web-based programs, applications, and websites will become vulnerable. This can also lead to program instability. Many consultants suggest keeping all server software up to date with the latest stable version available for the programs.

Before implementing anything new, product instructions should be reviewed to ensure its compatibility with the Linux VPS system.

 

Passwords

These are crucial when it comes to maintaining the security of the websites and the servers they’re running on. Good passwords consist of combinations of:

  • upper- and lower-case letters,
  • numbers,
  • special characters.

They should be at least 8 characters long, but more symbols are even better as this makes it harder to crack the passwords.

Also, it is recommended not to use any words that can be found in a dictionary; a better option is to string a long combination of random letters and numbers. Specialists advise changing them on a regularly, for example, every 60 – 90 days, or more often.

 

Anti-Virus

It does not matter what the Linux VPS servers are used for, they still need to be protected against potential malware, spyware and viruses that can harm the system, and in extension, the business. All content and software should always be scanned with an Anti-Virus program to ensure server safety. Besides, this software must always be updated to the latest version to secure all threats.

Proper server health and maintenance is vital for any business that has websites. Not following these steps may lead to problems with the system and serious security issues that can be avoided.