Securing a digital ocean server

After initial provisioning of a new Ubuntu server, the following tutorials show steps required to make the server more secure.

• https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials/initial-server-setup-with-ubuntu-14-04
• https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials/additional-recommended-steps-for-new-ubuntu-14-04-servers

Hardening steps

• Create alternative user
• Set up ssh login
• Prevent root ssh login
• Set up firewall and enable
• Configure timezone
• Configure NTP

Maintenance steps

• sudo apt-get update
• sudo apt-get upgrade
• sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
• sudo update-grub
• Select the latest kernel in the control panel
• Power off and power on