Open Terminal on macOS or PowerShell on Windows and run:

ssh username@SERVER_IP

If a private key is required:

ssh -i ~/.ssh/your_key username@SERVER_IP

Verify the host fingerprint against the details supplied with the server before accepting the first connection. Never share your private key.

Keep your SSH session open. Confirm the SSH port and allow it before enabling the firewall. These examples assume SSH uses port 22.

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
sudo apt install ufw
sudo ufw allow 22/tcp
sudo ufw allow 80/tcp
sudo ufw allow 443/tcp
sudo ufw enable
sudo ufw status

If your SSH port is different, replace 22. Test a second SSH connection before closing the original session.

Install and start the web server:

sudo apt install nginx
sudo systemctl enable --now nginx

Open your server IP in a browser to check the default page. Upload your site files to a separate staging folder, then back up existing content before placing the files in /var/www/html. Use an A record to point your domain to the public IPv4. Configure an HTTPS certificate before collecting login or payment information.

Keep a copy of your site files and application configuration outside the server. Export databases using the database's backup tool. Before enabling scheduled backups, confirm retention and charges. Test restoration on a separate instance; a backup job finishing does not prove the data can be restored.