A new Windows VPS is reachable from the internet, so it’s important to apply basic security measures right after the first login.
1) Change the Administrator password
- Use a strong password (long, random, unique).
- Avoid reusing passwords from other services.
2) Create a separate admin user (recommended)
- Create a new admin account for daily work.
- Keep the built‑in Administrator for emergencies.
- Optionally rename the built‑in Administrator account for better security hygiene.
3) Run Windows Update
- Install all important updates.
- Reboot when required (many security patches need it).
4) Verify Windows Firewall and Defender
- Ensure Windows Defender is enabled and updated.
- Keep Windows Firewall enabled.
- Allow only the ports you really need (RDP, web server, etc.).
5) Harden RDP access
- Enable Network Level Authentication (NLA) for RDP.
- Consider restricting RDP access by IP (if your setup allows it).
- Use strong passwords and avoid exposing additional unnecessary services.
6) Set backups and monitoring
- Have a backup strategy (snapshots or file-level backups, depending on your solution).
- Monitor disk space and system performance.
Tip: If you plan to host websites on Windows IIS or run applications, apply security best practices for that specific software as well.
