Hackers seem so clever, don’t they? The truth is, they just know how to use the same tools we use. One of hackers most favorite tools is a Virtual Private Server (VPS). The same VPS you are using to host your website and/or app can also be used to conduct attacks!
With a VPS, hackers can:
• Quickly create many servers
• Conduct attacks such as phishing, malware, or password guessing
• Quickly shut it down and disappear
You might try to chase them down, but trying to catch whomever is a hacker is like trying to catch smoke—impossible!
• World Wide: They can choose from locatons in many countries.
• Hidden Identity: A lot use stolen credit cards or crypto currency to pay for it.
So essentially it becomes a complete weapon all-in-one weapon.
• Use intelligent firewalls that identify VPS attacks.
• Communicate with other teams so that hackers do not attempt the same tricks everywhere.
These won’t prevent everything, however, they can frustrate those attacks.
Let’s not forget, the problem is not the VPS, it is the misuse of VPS. As we identify the signs and we take preventative measures early, we can certainly make the lives of hackers much more difficult. Honestly, it we can frustrate hackers from using cheap tricks, all the better.
Why Do Hackers Use VPS for Attacks
So, why do hackers like VPS? Because it provides them with speed and cover. A VPS looks the same as a normal server. To many systems, it does not look like a threat at all!With a VPS, hackers can:
• Quickly create many servers
• Conduct attacks such as phishing, malware, or password guessing
• Quickly shut it down and disappear
You might try to chase them down, but trying to catch whomever is a hacker is like trying to catch smoke—impossible!
VPS as Hacker Headquarters
Hackers have taken it one step further then just having a tool box hitting on one multiple exploit and tools at the same time. Essentially they created a VPS into a command center for their attacks! I have seen server logging engineers report thousands of login attempts within a night from VPS servers. That is insane. No home computer could do that!Why do they love it?
• Cheap: Not a lot of money to rent a VPS.• World Wide: They can choose from locatons in many countries.
• Hidden Identity: A lot use stolen credit cards or crypto currency to pay for it.
So essentially it becomes a complete weapon all-in-one weapon.
Why it Works and is Hard to Stop
The problem is VPS traffic seems normal and not suspicious. Businesses include VPS traffic because millions of legitimate companies are using VPS. The issue here is that it now has become really difficult to see when hackers are using VPS.So, what can we actually do?
• Look for unusual behavior, such as one IP address attempting thousands of logins.• Use intelligent firewalls that identify VPS attacks.
• Communicate with other teams so that hackers do not attempt the same tricks everywhere.
These won’t prevent everything, however, they can frustrate those attacks.
In Concluding Thoughts
While criminal abuse of VPS has occurred for many years, we can see an upward trend since 2025. It has become easier and cheaper for hackers because of the pricing, the ability to quickly deploy and the anonymity it provides.Let’s not forget, the problem is not the VPS, it is the misuse of VPS. As we identify the signs and we take preventative measures early, we can certainly make the lives of hackers much more difficult. Honestly, it we can frustrate hackers from using cheap tricks, all the better.
