Hostinger VPS offers an innovative cloud-based firewall solution to safeguard one or more cloud servers effectively. Implementing cloud firewalls is a vital security step, ensuring the protection of application services from unnecessary exposure to potential internet threats. Compared favorably to traditional server OS firewalls, Hostinger VPS Firewall boasts distinct advantages.
With Hostinger VPS Firewall, packet filtering occurs before incoming traffic reaches the protected server, significantly reducing resource usage. The added convenience of managing the firewall through hPanel, rather than the OS, streamlines the process. Additionally, updating the firewall policy for multiple servers is quick and simple by attaching them to a single Hostinger VPS Firewall group.
Example
Below is a diagram demonstrating the interaction between the Hostinger VPS firewall and the OS firewall, showcasing their combined use. Three servers are depicted, all linked to a single Hostinger VPS firewall, and each server possesses its own OS firewall. Here are the outcomes when an internet user tries to connect to these servers using different ports:
HTTP traffic in connection attempt 1 succeeds: the Hostinger VPS Firewall and the OS firewall are properly configured to permit HTTP traffic
SSH traffic in connection attempt 2 fails: the traffic successfully passes through the Hostinger VPS firewall but is subsequently blocked by the OS firewall
MySQL traffic in connection attempt 3 also fails: despite the OS firewall being set to allow MySQL traffic, it is obstructed by the Hostinger VPS firewall, which exclusively permits HTTP and SSH traffic
How to Create Firewall Rules
Open the VPS section on your hPanel, and click on the server in question. Then, click on Firewall in the left sidebar, and follow these steps:
1. Click on Create firewall configuration, insert the firewall name, and click on Create.
2. Then, click on the ellipsis button ⋯ next to the newly created firewall group list, and select Edit:
3. In the section Add firewall rule, follow these steps:
Select the desired firewall action: accept, reject, or drop
Select the protocol or common application from the dropdown list
If a protocol like TCP or UDP is selected, insert the port value by specifying either the port number or range (in format port_number:port_number)
Select a traffic source: anywhere or custom
If you select a custom traffic source, specify it in the Source details field:
4. Click on Add rule.
P.S. Make sure that your firewall is active:
And that's it!
How to Manage Firewall Rules
Open the VPS section on your hPanel, and click on the server in question. Then, click on Firewall in the left sidebar, click on the ellipsis button ⋯ next to the preferred firewall group list, and select Edit:
Make the preferred changes and save them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Changes to my Hostinger VPS Firewall interrupt existing traffic?
Will Changes to my Hostinger VPS Firewall interrupt existing traffic?
No. Established connections are left intact. When you change a rule in a firewall group, changes will only be applied to new connections.
How does Hostinger VPS Firewall differ from the firewall of my OS?
How does Hostinger VPS Firewall differ from the firewall of my OS?
Hostinger VPS Firewall is comparable to most firewall programs bundled in with server operating systems. However, Hostinger VPS Firewall has several key differences:
Packet filtering takes place at a higher level on the network, reducing your server's resource usage
The firewall is managed through the Hostinger VPS dashboard
Updating the firewall policy for multiple servers is quick and convenient because Hostinger VPS Firewall groups can be applied to various servers
How do I use Hostinger VPS Firewall on my server?
How do I use Hostinger VPS Firewall on my server?
Hostinger VPS Firewall can be used on both new and existing servers. First, you need to create a firewall group, and then you may add any desired rules to it. To do so, follow these steps. To apply a firewall group to an existing server, open the VPS section, and access the server in question. Then, click on Firewall in the left sidebar, and you'll find a list of your firewall groups. Finally, activate the desired firewall group.
Can I apply the same firewall group to more than one server?
Can I apply the same firewall group to more than one server?
Yes, you can use the same firewall group on any number of servers.
How quickly do firewall changes take effect?
How quickly do firewall changes take effect?
Changes to a Hostinger Firewall group will occur in two minutes or less.
What is the default policy of Hostinger VPS Firewall?
What is the default policy of Hostinger VPS Firewall?
Hostinger VPS Firewall groups require at least one rule to become active. An empty ruleset will block all traffic when applied to a server. By default, Hostinger VPS Firewall drops all traffic, which means you must add accept rules for all ports you want to use.
Is IPv6 supported?
Is IPv6 supported?
You can use Hostinger VPS Firewall to filter IPv4 and IPv6 traffic.
Is the Hostinger VPS Firewall a replacement for DDOS protection?
Is the Hostinger VPS Firewall a replacement for DDOS protection?
The Hostinger VPS Firewall is designed to enhance the security of your instance. It's not intended to block the large volumes of traffic that can happen during a DDOS attack.
Can the firewall on my instance be turned off? Is Hostinger VPS Firewall enough?
Can the firewall on my instance be turned off? Is Hostinger VPS Firewall enough?
Hostinger VPS Firewall can drop all traffic on ICMP, TCP, UDP, and GRE protocols, except for traffic that matches rules that have been added. If this is acceptable, then Hostinger VPS Firewall is enough. OS firewalls allow finer rule customization, such as ICMP message handling. If your use case requires this customization, you must still use the OS firewall and Hostinger VPS Firewall.