How to Create a Free VPS Without a Credit Card: Google Cloud Shell Guide

Creating a Virtual Private Server (VPS) without a credit card is possible using Google Cloud Shell. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to set up a completely free VPS without needing a credit card.

Step 1: Access Google Cloud Shell

Google Cloud Shell is a free online shell environment provided by Google. It comes with 5GB of persistent storage and runs on the Google Cloud Platform, providing you with a completely free VPS. To access it:

Go to the Google Cloud Shell website.
Log in with your Google account. If you don't have one, you can create it for free.

Step 2: Start a New Session

Once you are logged in, you will see a terminal window at the bottom of your browser. This is your Google Cloud Shell environment. To start a new session:

Click on the terminal window.
Type sudo -i to gain root access.
Now you are ready to start using your free VPS.

Step 3: Set Up Your Environment

Now that you have access to your VPS, it's time to set up your environment:

Update your system packages to ensure everything is up to date:
```
apt update && apt upgrade
```
Install necessary tools and applications. For example, to install Nano and Git:
```
apt install nano git
```

Step 4: Deploy Your Application

With your environment set up, you can now deploy your applications. Here’s how you can set up a simple web server using Python:

Create a new directory for your project:
```
mkdir myproject && cd myproject
```

Create a simple Python web server script:


cat < server.py
import http.server
import socketserver

PORT = 8000
Handler = http.server.SimpleHTTPRequestHandler

with socketserver.TCPServer(("", PORT), Handler) as httpd:
    print(f"Serving at port {PORT}")
    httpd.serve_forever()
EOL

Run your web server:
```
python3 server.py
```
Access your web server by navigating to https://[YOUR_PROJECT_ID].cloudshell.dev in your browser.

Step 5: Secure Your VPS

It's essential to secure your VPS to prevent unauthorized access. Here are some basic steps to enhance your VPS security:

Update your system regularly:
```
apt update && apt upgrade
```
Use strong passwords and change them periodically.
Install and configure a firewall. For example, using UFW:
```
apt install ufw
ufw allow ssh
ufw enable
```

Conclusion

Google Cloud Shell offers an excellent way to create a free VPS without a credit card. By following the steps in this guide, you can set up and manage your own virtual private server at no cost. Start experimenting and deploying your applications today!

Invnty