Server Installation and Configurations
Introduction
Section titled “Introduction”This comprehensive guide walks you through the complete process of setting up a secure, optimized server environment for WordPress. From initial server access to performance tuning, each section builds upon the previous one to create a robust hosting platform. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced system administrator, this guide provides detailed instructions with security and performance best practices at every step.
The guide is organized in a logical sequence, starting with basic server access and gradually progressing to more advanced topics like hardening and optimization. Each section includes practical commands, configuration examples, and explanations of why certain approaches are recommended.
1. First login
Section titled “1. First login”Learn how to log in to your server for the first time using SSH, handle the initial password change, and set up your preferred text editor for configuration file editing.
2. Verify your user status
Section titled “2. Verify your user status”Determine if you’re logged in as root or a non-root user and understand the security implications of each. Learn how to create a new user with administrative privileges for improved security.
Go to User status verification guide
3. Disable Password Login
Section titled “3. Disable Password Login”Enhance server security by implementing SSH key-based authentication and disabling password login. This section covers generating SSH key pairs, copying public keys to the server, simplifying login with SSH config, and disabling password authentication.
4. Add firewall
Section titled “4. Add firewall”Protect your server by configuring UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall) to control incoming and outgoing traffic. Learn how to allow essential services while blocking potentially malicious connections.
Go to Firewall configuration guide
5. Add fail2ban
Section titled “5. Add fail2ban”Implement fail2ban to protect your server from brute force attacks and malicious activity. This section covers installation, configuration, and management of this intrusion prevention software that automatically blocks suspicious IP addresses.
6. Server Hardening
Section titled “6. Server Hardening”Apply essential security measures and optimizations to protect and enhance your server’s performance. Topics include setting the correct timezone, configuring swap space, and implementing various system-level security enhancements.
7. Pointing a Domain Name to Your Server
Section titled “7. Pointing a Domain Name to Your Server”Configure DNS records to connect your domain name to your server’s IP address. Learn about A records, CNAME records, and how to verify and troubleshoot your DNS configuration.
Go to Domain configuration guide
8. Installing the LEMP Stack
Section titled “8. Installing the LEMP Stack”Set up a powerful and efficient web hosting environment by installing and configuring Linux, Nginx, MariaDB, and PHP (LEMP stack). This foundation provides the necessary components for running WordPress.
Go to LEMP stack installation guide
9. Configuring Email Functionality
Section titled “9. Configuring Email Functionality”Set up outgoing email capabilities for your server using MSMTP, allowing WordPress to send essential notifications, password resets, and contact form submissions without running a full mail server.
Go to Email configuration guide
11. Hardening and Optimizing the LEMP Stack
Section titled “11. Hardening and Optimizing the LEMP Stack”Enhance security and performance of your Nginx, MariaDB, and PHP installation through advanced configurations. Learn how to reduce attack surfaces, improve performance, and optimize resource usage.
Go to LEMP stack optimization guide
13. Configuring Nginx Server Blocks
Section titled “13. Configuring Nginx Server Blocks”Set up virtual hosts to serve multiple websites from a single server. Understand the structure of server blocks and how to configure them properly for WordPress sites.
Go to Nginx server blocks guide
14. Installing WordPress
Section titled “14. Installing WordPress”Follow a step-by-step guide to installing WordPress on your LEMP server, including database creation, file configuration, and proper permission settings.
Go to WordPress installation guide
15. Hardening WordPress Security
Section titled “15. Hardening WordPress Security”Implement comprehensive security measures to protect your WordPress installation against common threats. Learn about user isolation, access control, encryption, request filtering, and application hardening.
Go to WordPress security guide
16. Optimizing WordPress Performance
Section titled “16. Optimizing WordPress Performance”Improve your WordPress site’s speed and efficiency through caching, configuration optimizations, and resource management. Learn techniques to reduce server load, improve page load times, and enhance user experience.