I’ve been self-hosting servers at home for years as a passionate hobby of mine. Professionally, I work in IT, which gives me a front-row seat to the kinds of security problems that crop up all the time, both big and small. But this guide isn’t about enterprise firewalls or Fortune 500 best practices. It’s about what I’ve learned, broken down into steps that actually make sense if you’re doing this for fun, for curiosity, or just to take back control of your data.

This isn’t meant to be a heavy-handed security manual. Think of it more like a trail map: here’s the terrain, here are the common pitfalls, and here’s how to keep your footing. I’ve made a lot of mistakes over the years, and I’m still learning as I go—but if you’re just getting started with home server security (or want to double-check your current setup), this guide is for you.

Let’s dive in.

I. Get Oriented

Learn the Basics

You don’t need to be an IT expert, but it helps to understand the basics. Read beginner-friendly articles about home server security. Join forums and communities like Reddit’s r/selfhosted. Learn about threats like brute-force attacks, phishing, and ransomware. Understanding some basic terminology and concepts goes a long way toward making good decisions later.

Define Your Goals

Ask yourself: what are you protecting? Is it family photos? Personal documents? Access to smart home devices? Make a list of what matters, who needs access, and what permissions they should have. This will guide your security decisions.

II. Assess Your Current Setup

Inventory and Exposure

Start by understanding what you have. Make a list of all the software you’ve installed on your server. Note what each program does and why you need it. Check your router’s port forwarding settings and see what services are visible to the internet. Online tools like “CanYouSeeMe” can help with checking exposed ports.

Also, review your software update status. Are you running the latest version? Check for system updates and visit vendor websites for any recent vulnerabilities. Replace any default passwords and disable unused features or services.

Network Exposure and Isolation

Understanding how your server connects to the internet is crucial. Review your router or firewall settings. Is the server on the same network as your personal devices? If so, consider isolating it using a guest network or VLAN, if your router supports it. This helps limit exposure if something goes wrong.

Evaluate Physical Access

Who can physically touch your server? If it’s under your desk or in the living room, think about ways to reduce risks. Keep the server in a secure, low-traffic area. A locked cabinet can go a long way. Also consider setting a BIOS password to prevent unauthorized changes during boot-up.

Document Current Setup

Summarize everything you’ve learned in a document. Include your current software, network settings, physical setup, and any protections you already have in place. This becomes your baseline for future improvements.

III. Planning and Preparation

Create an Action Plan

Start with the most critical issues—like weak passwords or open ports. Break changes into manageable tasks, and pace yourself. Security isn’t a one-and-done project; it’s a habit. Set realistic goals and give yourself time to troubleshoot.

IV. Implementation

Hardening the Server

Secure System and Software

  • Keep your OS and software up to date. Turn on automatic updates where available.

  • Uninstall anything you don’t use—you’d be surprised how much that cuts down your attack surface.

  • Default settings are rarely ideal. Tweak them for your use case.

  • Change those default passwords (you knew this was coming).

  • Set file permissions so users only have access to what they need.

Network Setup

  • Use the firewall built into your router—it’s better than nothing and often surprisingly capable.

  • Create a basic separation between your server and daily-use devices. Some routers let you create a “guest” network—use it.

  • Don’t expose services to the internet unless you absolutely need them to be.

Access Control

  • Strong passwords matter. Really.

  • Use a password manager—it’s less hassle than remembering 12 different phrases.

  • Separate user accounts help reduce damage if something goes sideways.

  • Turn on 2FA where possible—it’s a small step with big impact.

Physical Security

  • A locked office or cabinet can go a long way.

  • BIOS/UEFI passwords prevent tampering if someone gets physical access.

  • Keep backups somewhere else—physically or in the cloud.

Secure Communication

  • If you’re logging in remotely, always use SSH. Better yet, use SSH keys instead of passwords. Disable root login over SSH. Avoid exposing SSH to the internet unless absolutely necessary—and if you do, restrict access with firewall rules or a VPN.

  • Set up HTTPS with Let’s Encrypt—it’s free and easier than ever.

  • Encrypt everything that leaves your network. Encrypt everything at rest. Encrypt everything you can when possible and feasible.

Monitoring and Logging

Basic Monitoring

  • Turn on system logging for major services.

  • Check CPU, memory, and disk use regularly.

  • Skim logs now and then. Look for login attempts you don’t recognize.

Configure Alerts

  • Email alerts for failed logins or low disk space are simple and useful.

  • If a drive fills up, you want to know before something breaks.

Intrusion Prevention

  • Tools like Fail2Ban are easy to set up and can stop brute-force attacks.

  • Set up alerts for new login sessions.

  • Review logs—maybe not every day, but on a regular cadence.

Backup and Recovery

Routine Backups

  • Back up your data—and your configs.

  • Store at least one copy offsite. Cloud backup? External drive at a friend’s house? Just do it.

  • A great place to learn about backup and recovery in home user environments in r/DataHoarder

Test Recovery

  • Every so often, pretend your server died. Restore from backup.

  • Time how long it takes and what doesn’t work.

  • Document the steps now—during a crisis, you won’t have time.

V. Evaluation and Improvement

Basic Testing

  • Check for open ports periodically using online tools.

  • Verify SSL certs are still valid.

  • Review your router/firewall settings—things change over time.

Simulate Issues

  • Practice restoring a backup.

  • Reboot your server—do all your services come back?

  • Try accessing your server with an unauthorized account. Does it work? If so, fix it.

Continuous Improvement

Observe and Learn

  • Watch your server—look for weird behavior.

  • Follow a few security blogs or YouTube creators.

  • Keep a little changelog—it’ll help when troubleshooting.

Decide and Act

  • Based on what you’ve observed, plan small improvements.

  • Change one thing at a time. Note what you did.

  • Loop back to monitoring.

Regular Check-Ups

  • Make yourself a simple checklist.

  • Put a quarterly review on your calendar.

  • Adjust your setup as your needs evolve.

VI. Documentation and Review

Maintain Clear Records

  • Keep a list of software, settings, and credentials (securely).

  • Document your recovery process.

  • Store copies in multiple places: digitally, maybe even a printed version in a safe.

Ongoing Review

  • Every few months, reassess what you’ve got.

  • Stay on top of updates and new versions.

  • Renew SSL certs and recheck user access.

Final Thoughts

This guide isn’t meant to be the end-all, be-all. I’m just sharing what I’ve learned from years of trial, error, and professional experience. Start with what makes sense, and build from there. If nothing else, I hope this helped you see that server security doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It’s totally okay to learn as you go. That’s what I’m doing, too.

  • eoko