Getting your first VPS is exciting – it opens up a world of opportunities for hosting websites, running applications, and exploring new technologies. With full control over your environment, you can customize and experiment in ways that shared hosting simply doesn’t allow.
But with that control comes responsibility. For many newcomers, it’s easy to overlook important setup steps or fall into common traps – some of which can lead to downtime, security issues, or data loss.
To help you get started on the right foot, we’ve compiled a list of the 7 most common mistakes VPS beginners make – and how you can avoid them.
1. Leaving SSH Port Wide Open
The mistake: Keeping the default SSH port (22) open to the world without extra protection.
One of the first and most common mistakes VPS newcomers make is leaving the default SSH port (22) open to the entire internet without any added security. This setup turns your server into an easy target for automated bots constantly scanning for exposed SSH ports. To minimize your risk, change the default SSH port to a less common number and use SSH key-based authentication instead of relying on passwords. Additionally, restrict SSH access using a firewall by allowing connections only from trusted IP addresses. These simple changes drastically reduce your server’s vulnerability.
Not sure how to change the default SSH port? Check out our guide on securing your VPS for step-by-step instructions.
2. Using Root for Everything
The mistake: Logging in as the root user for all tasks.
Logging in as the root user for every task might seem convenient, but it’s a risky habit that can lead to major issues. The root account has unrestricted power, meaning any mistake – accidental or malicious – can have devastating consequences. Instead, create a separate user account with limited privileges and assign sudo rights when administrative access is necessary. Also, for added security, disable direct root login over SSH. This adds an important layer of protection against unauthorized access and human error.
For step-by-step instructions on disabling direct root login, take a look at our VPS security guide.
3. Forgetting to Enable Automatic Updates
The mistake: Ignoring system and package updates.
It’s easy to overlook system updates, especially when everything seems to be running smoothly. But neglecting updates leaves your server open to known vulnerabilities, which are often quickly exploited by attackers. To stay protected, make sure automatic security updates are enabled on your VPS. It’s also wise to regularly check for and install updates manually using your package manager (like apt, yum or dnf). Staying up-to-date is one of the simplest ways to harden your system.
4. No Backups in Place
The mistake: Not setting up any kind of backup — until it’s too late.
Perhaps the most painful mistake is realizing the importance of backups only after data loss has occurred. Whether it’s due to a misconfiguration, a hardware failure, or a cyberattack, losing your files without a backup can be devastating. That’s why setting up automated backups early is crucial. Back up your data, configurations, and important logs to an external or cloud-based location. And don’t stop there—test your backup restoration process regularly to ensure everything works when it counts.
At Time4VPS offer backup services to help protect your data.
Additionally, you can create your own backup routines manually – for example, using tools like rsnapshot. Follow our guide on setting up rsnapshot to generate backups manually and keep your server safe.
5. Exposing Unused Ports and Services
The mistake: Leaving services running that you don’t actually use.
Many VPS beginners unknowingly leave unused ports and services running, exposing unnecessary attack surfaces. Each open port is like an unlocked door into your server, and if the service behind it isn’t secured or needed, it becomes a liability. Use tools like netstat, ss, or nmap to audit what’s running and listening. Disable or uninstall services that you don’t actively use, and always deploy a firewall (such as UFW or iptables) to tightly control what traffic can enter your VPS.
6. Misconfiguring the Firewall
The mistake: Not using a firewall at all — or blocking yourself out.
A firewall is one of the most powerful tools in your server’s security toolkit—if configured correctly. New users often make one of two mistakes: either they skip setting up a firewall entirely, leaving the system wide open, or they apply rules without testing, potentially locking themselves out. To avoid either scenario, use firewalls like UFW and iptables and apply rules gradually. Always ensure SSH access is allowed before applying any changes to avoid getting locked out of your own VPS.
So, if you prefer more control, we have a beginner’s guide to managing a firewall with iptables that walks you through the setup step by step.
7. Running Everything on One Server
The mistake: Hosting your website, database, email, and experimental projects on a single VPS.
When you first get a VPS, it’s tempting to throw all your projects onto it—your website, database, email server, and even test scripts. But this all-in-one approach can backfire. If one component fails, it can bring everything else down with it. Moreover, performance and security issues become harder to isolate. A better strategy is to separate services as much as possible. Use containers (like Docker) or use separate VPS instances for production and experimentation.
Check out our guide on Docker installation and basic usage to get started with creating isolated, manageable environments for your projects.
Conclusion
Making mistakes is part of the learning process – but some are easier (and cheaper) to avoid than others. Whether you’re launching your first project or just experimenting, a few smart precautions can save you a lot of time and stress.
At Time4VPS, we make it easy for beginners to get started with powerful, affordable VPS hosting – and we’re always here if you need support along the way.
Pro tip: Bookmark this guide as a VPS checklist, especially when setting up a new server!
