beginners
36 articles in this category.
What to Back Up and How Often — WordPress VPS Backup Strategy
A practical backup strategy for a self-managed WordPress VPS. What actually needs backing up, how often, where to store it, and why the rm -rf / story from Part 1 is the best argument for having this figured out before you need it.
Read →Changing the SSH Port and Disabling Root Login
Step-by-step guide to moving SSH off port 22 and disabling root login on Rocky Linux 9 — without locking yourself out. The exact sequence matters, and this article covers why.
Read →Completing the WordPress Installation — From Browser Setup to First Secure Configuration
The browser installation wizard, first wp-admin steps, securing wp-admin access by IP in Nginx, and the setup sequence that gets a WordPress site production-ready quickly.
Read →Configuring wp-config.php — Connecting WordPress to the Database
Every important setting in wp-config.php explained — database credentials, authentication salts, WP_DEBUG, and the Redis connection that prepares WordPress for object caching.
Read →Disable Password Login — SSH Key Authentication Only
The final security step for SSH: disabling password authentication entirely so only key holders can connect. How to do it safely, why it matters, and what to do the one or two times you lock yourself out anyway.
Read →Installing Nginx on Rocky Linux 9
How to install Nginx on Rocky Linux 9, understand its directory structure, and test the config correctly — including why nginx -t is the most important habit you'll build.
Read →Downloading and Extracting WordPress via Command Line
Three commands to get WordPress onto your VPS — download, extract, and move into place. No FTP, no control panel, just wget and tar.
Read →Installing MariaDB and Creating the WordPress Database
Install MariaDB on Rocky Linux 9, run the security setup, create a database and dedicated user for WordPress. Plus an honest note on why using root for everything is convenient but not ideal.
Read →LAMP vs LEMP — Why This Series Uses Nginx
The difference between LAMP and LEMP stacks for WordPress, why Nginx is the better choice for a VPS, and an honest admission: most people pick Nginx because tutorials recommend it, and that's a fine reason.
Read →Installing PHP-FPM and Choosing the Right Version
How to install PHP-FPM on Rocky Linux 9 using the Remi repository, choose between Unix socket and TCP port, and configure the extensions WordPress needs.
Read →Configuring the Nginx Server Block with FastCGI Cache
The complete Nginx server block for WordPress with FastCGI page caching — every directive explained. Plus the difference between server-level cache and plugin cache, and a WP Rocket storage warning worth knowing.
Read →Pointing Your Domain to the VPS and Handling DNS Propagation
How to set DNS A records to point your domain to a Vultr VPS, why propagation time varies, how to check it's working, and why Cloudflare DNS makes this significantly faster.
Read →Keeping the Server Updated Safely
How to update Rocky Linux system packages, Nginx, PHP, and MariaDB without taking down a live WordPress site — and what to do when an update breaks something.
Read →Fail2ban — Automatically Block Brute Force Attempts
How to install and configure Fail2ban on Rocky Linux 9 to automatically ban IPs that repeatedly fail SSH authentication. Including how to unban yourself when it blocks you by mistake.
Read →Setting Up firewalld — Only Open What You Need
How to configure firewalld on Rocky Linux 9 for a WordPress VPS. Which ports to open, which to keep closed, and how to debug when something stops working because of the firewall.
Read →Monitoring Your VPS — What to Watch and What to Ignore
A practical monitoring routine for a self-managed WordPress VPS. The five metrics that actually matter, how to check them in under five minutes, and what numbers should make you act.
Read →Why Server Security Must Come Before Everything Else
What actually happens to an unsecured VPS within minutes of going online. Real log data, real attack patterns, and why the security steps in this part aren't optional.
Read →Why WordPress Runs Slower Than Your VPS Is Capable Of
What actually limits WordPress performance on a VPS, why cache helps but has a ceiling, and the honest architecture decision you face when WordPress stops being enough.
Read →What You Actually Need Before Starting — The Real Checklist
Five things you genuinely need before setting up your first VPS — and a longer list of things you don't. Starting from zero is fine. Starting unprepared costs more time.
Read →Rocky Linux vs Ubuntu vs Debian — Which OS Should You Choose?
The honest answer to which Linux distribution to pick for your WordPress VPS. Why the choice matters less than tutorials make it seem, what actually differs between them, and how to decide without overthinking it.
Read →How to Choose Your VPS Plan — RAM, CPU, and Storage Explained
What the numbers on a VPS plan actually mean, how much you need to start, and the real story of what happens when you run out. With honest notes on swap, upgrades, and when more RAM isn't the answer.
Read →Connecting to Your VPS for the First Time
Step-by-step guide to your first SSH connection — on Mac, Windows, and Termius. What you'll see, what to do, the errors you'll likely hit, and the moment that changes how you think about servers.
Read →How to Create an SSH Key — The Security Step You Can't Skip
Step-by-step guide to generating an SSH key pair, copying it to your Vultr VPS, and understanding why your key only works on the machine that created it. For Mac, Linux, and Windows.
Read →File Permissions — Why 755 and 644 Appear Everywhere
Linux file permissions explained without the math. What rwx means, why 755 and 644 are the WordPress standard, and how to fix the four most common permission errors without reaching for chmod 777.
Read →First Things to Do After Connecting — Initial Server Setup
The 10-minute checklist after your first SSH connection. Update the system, create a non-root user, set a hostname. These steps prepare your server for everything in Part 3 — and skipping them makes later work harder.
Read →Dangerous Linux Commands — And the Story of How I Lost 10 Websites in One Second
The Linux commands that can cause irreversible damage — what they do, why they're dangerous, and the three habits that protect you. Including the rm -rf / story you need to hear before you need it.
Read →Nano vs Vim — Edit Server Files Without Getting Stuck
Two terminal text editors, one clear recommendation for beginners. How to use Nano for everyday config editing, the minimum you need to know about Vim, and how to escape it when you accidentally open it.
Read →20 Linux Commands You'll Actually Use Every Day
The Linux commands that matter for WordPress VPS work — grouped by what they do, with real examples and honest notes on when to use each one. Not a complete reference. A practical starting point.
Read →How to Read Terminal Errors — The Most Important Skill on a VPS
Terminal errors look intimidating until you know how to read them. A practical guide to understanding what error messages are telling you, how to find solutions, and why AI has changed this completely.
Read →Shared Hosting vs VPS vs Managed: Which One Do You Actually Need?
A practical framework for deciding between shared hosting, VPS, and managed cloud hosting — based on where you are right now, not where you want to be eventually.
Read →The Real Fears About Using a VPS — And What They Actually Mean
Five fears that keep WordPress developers on shared hosting longer than they should be. Which ones are worth taking seriously, and which ones aren't.
Read →Vultr vs DigitalOcean vs Hetzner — Which VPS Should You Buy?
An honest comparison of three popular VPS providers for WordPress hosting. Based on real use — not benchmarks from a spreadsheet. With a clear recommendation and the reasoning behind it.
Read →What Is Linux — And Why Does Every VPS Run It?
Linux explained for WordPress developers who've never touched it. What it is, why servers use it, which version to pick, and why the choice matters less than you think.
Read →What Is a Terminal — It's Just Typing Instead of Clicking
Terminal explained for people who've only used GUI tools. What it is, why servers use it, how to open it, and the mindset shift that makes it stop feeling intimidating.
Read →What Is a VPS? A Plain-English Explanation for WordPress Users
VPS explained without jargon — what it actually is, how it differs from shared hosting, and who actually needs one. If you've been confused by the term, this is the place to start.
Read →What Is SSH — And Why You Need to Understand It Before Connecting
SSH explained without jargon. What it is, how it works, why servers use it, and how to set up your SSH client before Part 2.5. Includes the tools worth using and the ones worth skipping.
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