Azure Free VM + SSH Account

What you get free

Requires a credit card at signup for verification; only used if you go over free limits.

Tip: choose Ubuntu with size B1s (or B1ts) and keep it under 750 hours/month.

1. Create the account

1. Go to azure.microsoft.com/free and click Start free.
2. Sign in with a Microsoft account, complete identity + card verification.
3. Open the portal at portal.azure.com.

2. Create the VM

1. Search for Virtual machines → Create → Azure virtual machine.
2. Resource group: create one (e.g. proxy-rg).
3. Instance details:
   • Name: proxy-vm.
   • Region: any (e.g. East US).
   • Image: Ubuntu Server 24.04 LTS (SSH user azureuser).
   • Size: B1s (free-tier eligible).
4. Administrator account: Authentication type = SSH public key, Username = azureuser, paste a public key you generate:

ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -f ~/.ssh/azure_proxy -C "azure-proxy"
cat ~/.ssh/azure_proxy.pub

5. Networking: create a network security group with an Allow SSH rule (TCP 22, Source: Any). Add TCP 1080 if you plan to run a SOCKS5 UDP relay for Full VPN.
6. Review + create, then Create.

3. Connect

ssh -i ~/.ssh/azure_proxy azureuser@<PUBLIC_IP>

Find the Public IP address on the VM's Overview page. If you generated the key in the portal, use the downloaded .pem.

Static IP (recommended): on the VM, go to Networking → Network Interface → IP configurations → Public IP → Configuration → Static, then Save.

4. Add it as an SSH proxy site in Portus - Proxy Tool

1. Settings → Routing → Proxy Sites → Add Proxy Site.
2. Set Kind = SSH, Host = <PUBLIC_IP>, Port = 22, Username = azureuser.
3. Tap Import RSA keys and paste the contents of ~/.ssh/azure_proxy and ~/.ssh/azure_proxy.pub.
4. Save, then Test Proxy.

5. (Optional) Enable Full VPN (UDP)

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y dante-server
sudo systemctl enable --now danted

Add a minimal /etc/danted.conf:

logoutput: stderr
internal: 127.0.0.1 port = 1080
external: eth0
method: username none
client pass { from: 0.0.0.0/0 to: 0.0.0.0/0 }
socks pass { from: 0.0.0.0/0 to: 0.0.0.0/0 }

Then turn on Full VPN (UDP) for this SSH site in the app.

Watch your free tier

• The B1s/B1ts VM is free for 750 hours/month for 12 months; normal rates apply after.
• Stop/deallocate the VM when unused — a running VM counts against the monthly hours even when idle.
• The US$200 credit expires after 30 days.

Security tips

• Keep SSH key auth only; disable password login.
• Only open port 22 (and 1080 if you use danted) to the internet.
• Use the app's Test Proxy to confirm everything works.