A VPS gives you administrative control, which also means you are responsible for operating-system updates, access control, services, monitoring, and backups unless you purchased a managed service.
### Initial checklist
1. Sign in using the connection details supplied by HillHost.
2. Change any temporary password immediately.
3. Install operating-system security updates.
4. Create a named administrative user instead of using the root account for routine work.
5. Add an SSH public key and confirm that key-based login works in a second session.
6. Configure the firewall to allow only required services.
7. Confirm SSH access before closing the original session or changing authentication rules.
8. Remove or disable services that are not required.
9. Enable automatic security updates where appropriate for the workload.
10. Configure off-server backups and test restoration.
11. Set up resource, availability, and security monitoring.
12. Record changes and keep recovery information securely.
### Important warning
An incorrect firewall or SSH configuration can lock you out. Keep console access available and verify each access change before proceeding. Distribution commands and configuration paths differ, so follow documentation for the exact operating system version installed.
### Managed versus unmanaged service
Before assuming that a task is handled by HillHost, review the management scope of your service. Software installed by the customer may require customer-side maintenance even on otherwise managed infrastructure.