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 -y
```
Install necessary tools and applications. For example, to install Nano and Git:
```
apt install nano git -y
```

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 -y
```
Use strong passwords and change them periodically.
Install and configure a firewall. For example, using UFW:
```
apt install ufw -y
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!