Many beginners, after purchasing a cloud server, mistakenly believe that "the server is all set, now I can just upload my website." In reality, cloud server delivery is just the beginning. Without proper initialization and security configuration, issues can range from performance instability to intrusion, data loss, and even server shutdown. The truly mature approach is to complete a standardized set of basic operations immediately after receiving the server to minimize risks and establish a solid foundation for performance and stability.

　　The first thing to do is change the default login method and password.

　　Most cloud servers provide a default root password or key-based login method upon creation. Continuing to use the initial password is tantamount to exposing the server to the internet. Numerous automated scanning programs exist online that will attempt weak passwords or default passwords; if successful, the server can be taken over directly.

　　The correct approach is to immediately change the root password, setting a strong password that is long enough and includes uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. If using password login, be sure to disable simple passwords. If possible, prioritize using SSH key login and disable password login. This is the first line of defense for cloud server security; do not skip it.

　　The second essential step is to create a regular user and restrict root login.

　　Many beginners are accustomed to performing all operations as the root user, but this is a very insecure habit. Once the root account is stolen, the server will be completely out of control.

　　The recommended approach is to create a regular user for daily maintenance, grant that user sudo privileges, and prohibit the root account from directly logging in remotely. This way, even if the regular user's credentials are compromised, attackers cannot directly gain root privileges, greatly reducing the risk.

　　The third step is to configure basic firewall rules.

　　Cloud servers are "exposed" to the public internet by default; any port that is open can be scanned and attacked. If you don't restrict access, you are essentially opening the entire system to the outside world.

　　What you need to do is: only open necessary ports, such as SSH port 22, web service ports 80 and 443, and, in principle, database ports should not be open to the public internet. All other ports should be closed. If you are using a Linux system, you can set up whitelist rules through firewall tools. This step, though simple, is crucial for server security.

　　The fourth thing is to update the system and basic components promptly.

　　Newly purchased cloud servers often have outdated system images that may contain known security vulnerabilities. Failing to update the system is tantamount to actively providing attackers with entry points.

　　It is recommended to perform system updates immediately after server initialization: update system software packages, security patches, and commonly used components (such as OpenSSL and SSH). This is the most effective and cost-efficient way to prevent vulnerability attacks.

　　The fifth thing is to set the correct time and time zone.

　　Many people overlook server time issues, but this can lead to a series of problems, such as incorrect log times, abnormal SSL certificate verification, and errors in scheduled task execution.

　　You need to confirm: Is the server time zone correct? Is the system time synchronized with standard time? It is recommended to enable automatic time synchronization to ensure long-term server time accuracy.

　　The sixth thing is to configure basic monitoring and alerts.

　　The root cause of many server "problems" is not that the problem occurs suddenly, but that there are no early warnings. For example, if the CPU is constantly at full load, memory is gradually depleting, and the disk is about to fill up, these issues often only become apparent when the website becomes inaccessible.

　　Basic monitoring should at least focus on the following: CPU usage, memory consumption, remaining disk space, and network traffic changes. Even if you don't deploy a complex monitoring system, you should enable the basic monitoring functions built into the cloud platform.

　　The seventh thing is to have a sound data backup strategy.

　　This is a crucial point that all cloud server users must take seriously. Whether it's accidental operation, a program bug, or an attack, without backups, the consequences are often irreversible.

　　The correct backup approach includes: regular automatic backups, storing backups separately from the primary server, and keeping at least multiple historical versions. Don't wait until data loss to realize the importance of backups.

　　The eighth thing is to install and configure the necessary runtime environment.

　　Planning your server environment in advance, based on your actual usage, can avoid frequent adjustments later. For example, a web server needs web services and a database, a development environment needs a language runtime, and API services need a reverse proxy and process management. When installing the environment, it's recommended to follow the principle of "just enough," avoiding installing too many unnecessary components at once to reduce system complexity and security.

　　The ninth thing is to plan the disk and directory structure.

　　Many beginners fail to plan initially, resulting in the system disk being filled with logs and uploaded files, ultimately leading to server malfunctions.

　　The recommended approach is: only store the system and programs on the system disk; create separate directories for data files and log files, and regularly clean up useless logs. If using the cloud platform's data disk function, prioritize storing business data on the data disk.

　　The tenth thing is to conduct a complete self-test.

　　Before the server is officially put into use, it's recommended to simulate real-world usage scenarios for testing: Can you log in normally? Are only necessary services open on the ports? Does the service start automatically after a restart? Are backups available? This step can uncover many hidden problems in advance, preventing issues after deployment.

　　Overall, after purchasing a cloud server, what truly matters is not "what applications are installed," but rather the three core objectives of security, stability, and controllability. Many server incidents aren't due to technical complexity, but rather the neglect of the most basic steps.

　　These operations may seem trivial, but each step directly impacts the server's long-term stability. If you do these foundational tasks correctly the first time, subsequent tasks such as website building, application deployment, and business expansion will be much easier. Buying a cloud server isn't the end; it truly begins from that moment. A solid foundation is the prerequisite for all subsequent work.