Why Dedicated Hosting Can Still Be Insecure

Many webmasters start out by launching their websites in shared hosting environments because they are cheaper and suit most of their needs and even run on optimal speeds. However, as enhancements are added to sites such as forums, mailing lists, and other things where users can register and input their private information, security begins to become a more important issue.

This can alarm some webmasters especially when their databases get more populated drawing more concerns of possible hacking and database stealing. To be relieved from these tensions, webmasters would resort to switching to a dedicated server so they can "feel further away" from the other sites that are in shared servers. In a dedicated hosting, webmasters feel more secure and isolated making it much more difficult for attacks to take place.

This may solve a lot of security issues, but you should know that it does not make your website and database completely impenetrable to possible attacks and hackings attempts. However, by following some of these tips, you can give your site enough security to repel just about any standard hacking attempts.

Securing your FTP access

Beefing up the security of your FTP accounts should take priority since just about all webmasters rely on it to keep their sites updated and allow trusted users to access the files.

Turn off anonymous FTP

Start out by turning off anonymous FTP access. Even if you make your files undeletable, turning off anonymous FTP access means preventing all unwanted users from checking out your directory structure and stealing sensitive files or uploading malicious code that can allow remote access, spying, virus injecting, worm uploads, and other intrusive functions.

It is better to just create FTP accounts of people that you really trust so that access to the server is highly limited to these accounts. Always remember to use a complicated password to avoid regular password guessing or brute force methods. Try to limit the number of accounts as well because granted accounts can do just about anything depending on what permissions are assigned. You want to minimize all possible chances of account stealing.

Adding security to your PHP applications

If you are using a forum or a portal or some form of content management system, you are most probably using PHP. PHP is one of the several scripting languages that face heavy attacks and are frequently targeted by hackers.

Keep your PHP and PHP applications up-to-date

Every time hackers exploit some of the flaws in PHP applications, web developers usually respond to this quickly by means of patching the flawed areas and making a new release. You as a webmaster should also respond to this by keeping up-to-date with your PHP application version and more importantly your PHP version as well. While most good servers do the upgrades for you, it is always good to check the PHP version you are using and make sure it is the latest version. If it isn't, it never hurts to contact support and kindly requesting for an update. However any PHP applications that you install should be your responsibility in making sure it's the most recent version. Also, avoid the use of alpha and beta builds of programs as they are more prone to hacks.

Set register_globals to OFF

This field can be found in your php.ini, if you can't find it, contact your webhosting support for assistance. Though the later versions have register_globals off by default, it is still important to check and make sure it's off because leaving it on gives you a wide opening to a security breach. Try to make sure that the register_globals are OFF with the other PHP applications that you upload into your server.

Use your control panel to scan for other security flaws

Some control panel setups allow you to scan the system for possible security flaws. If you ever come across that option, make good use of it as it aids you in checking if your site is truly safe or if updates are necessary for added security.

It is important to be alert with these security issues and deal with them accordingly so you won't have any problems with your dedicated web hosting. These tricks also work on shared hosting setups too so you can always have added security no matter which type of hosting your using now. Never forget to stay updated with the news and keep subscribed in software that you use so you can patch things right away.

Is VMware Server Hosting Reliable?

Think hosting and there are a million different companies offering a multitude of solutions. There is dedicated and shared hosting, there is windows and Linux based hosting, there is business hosting and now there is Virtual Private Server Hosting.
Which one of these should you choose for your business?

Virtual Private server Hosting or VPS hosting is a relatively new concept in which you can configure your server machine into one or more virtual servers. Each one of these acts and functions like a stand alone server offering the same benefits. In simpler terms, each is configured using VPS hosting technology can have its own set of users, root access, IP addresses, application files and configuration files.

There are different virtualized server software applications being used for VPS hosting. Of these VMware server is the most popular one.

There are several benefits of opting for a VMware server hosting.

• You can choose and configure the OS in each one of the Virtual servers that you set up using the VMware server.
• You do not have to download and install the VMware software which can be slightly confusing for newbies. A user friendly web interface eliminates all potential room for error.
• Each VPS configured using VMware is as good as a complete physical server with ram, processor and drives.
• It reduces planned and unplanned downtime considerably as you have complete control over which server to schedule for maintenance.
• Since it allows server consolidation, it reduces your IT costs considerably. Not to forget the fact that it is far more flexible than traditional hosting packages.

The verdict?

Yes, if you are looking for a data center that you have at your own disposal, then VMware server hosting is the best bet.

Choosing The Right Hosting Provider For Your Web Site

What exactly is a web host or web hosting company and how does it affect your company's web site? In a nutshell, a web host is the company you choose to store all of the files that have been created for your web site. These files make up the entire web site that is viewable by the public.

Most web hosting companies sell their services as packages. Pricing for these web hosting packages varies but generally follow "basic, intermediate, and pro" guidelines. They are structured so that you can choose which level of hosting is right for your business or personal web site.

Some of the important things to look for when choosing a web hositng company for your web site are:

- Amount of storage offered.
- Amount of data transfer per month.
- Number of email addresses.
- Number of SQL or My SQL databases included.
- Number of sub-domains included.
- Is a shopping cart included? (for e-commerce sites)
- How many domains can be used?
- How much are the setup fees?
- What is your "up-time" guarantee?

These are just a few of the things to consider before you choose a hosting company for your web site. It's a good idea to shop around and find the best options for the best price.

Most web hosting providers charge by the month but I have seen some that accept 6 month and annual payments. Generally, you can get your hosting at a discounted rate if you pay for the entire year at once, instead of month-to-month.

Don't be afraid to ask questions! Any decent hosting provider will have on-line chat, email support, or a phone number posted so that you can call and ask questions before purchasing a hosting plan. If you are not sure of something or want to know something more specific, always ask!

A good web hosting provider is the backbone for any successful web site. It can make you or break you. It demands that a lot of thought and good planning be implemented before committing to a hosting provider.

Here at Digital Spiral Web Design, we have our own web servers and actually do all of the hosting ourselves for the web sites we design and build. So, we are actually a web hosting company, as well as a design and development firm. We chose to get our own web server in order to handle all of the administrative tasks ourselves and to have more control over our domains. It's been one of the best choices we've ever made. So, if your web site is high-demand or if you want to have full-control of the server you are hosting on, then a dedicated server option (getting your own web server, instead of using a hotsing company) might be right for you, too.

How to Find a Viable Hosting Solution For Your Online Business

Whether you plan to start a new online business or want to switch to a new hosting company, there are some crucial elements of hosting to consider. Business hosting must be sufficient in meeting your business needs and dependable so your site will be open to the online public at least 99.9 percent of the time. Here are some features to look for when selecting a hosting plan for your business.

Choose a Hosting Firm with a Solid Reputation

Something to think about...a hosting company will have access to your entire website and the information within its pages. Trust is of utmost importance when it comes to selecting a Web host. If a host is dishonest or simply unreliable, this can damage your business reputation and cause you to lose customers as well as profits.

Consider the company's record when it comes to "uptime." Uptime is the amount of time your site's server will likely be up and running. When your server is down, your website will not display to visitors. This can hurt your business tremendously if it happens too often or for an extended period of time. A reputable hosting company should be able to guarantee at least 99.9 percent uptime. This means your website's server will rarely be down.

Another aspect of a hosting company's service reputation is technical support. When you have a problem with your business site, will the host answer your e-mails or calls promptly, and with courtesy? Is the host willing to go the extra mile to get your business up and running smoothly? One way to check how well a hosting company rates on customer support is to ask around in forums to find others who have used the host. Also, check with Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed against the company.

Hosting Services Offered

Also consider the type of hosting features you'll need and if the host offers this type of service. Hosting services come in many packages, such as VPS hosting (virtual private server hosting), shared hosting, dedicated servers, and managed servers. If you need offshore hosting, some companies provide servers in various locations...Germany, United Kingdom, United States, etc. If you want to earn money by selling hosting to others, you'll find that some hosts offer reseller hosting plans.

There are programming compatibility issues to consider if your website will be designed using certain software or coding, or if the site will feature a shopping cart and merchant account, forms, visitor and referral statistics, and other special features. Hosting costs will likely be higher with more features.

Hosting Security Issues

Look for a host that guarantees top security for your server. You should be able to create secure credit card ordering pages so your customers' personal information will be secure every time they place an order. Look for SSL encryption for ordering sections of your site, and be sure your host offers firewall protection and e-mail security. Also, be sure your forms and processing methods are compatible with your hosting selection.

Compare Prices

Pricing varies greatly among hosts. Beware of free or very cheap hosting for your business, especially if it requires allowing ads on your website. Most free hosting is meant for personal web pages, not businesses. There are some affordable, dependable hosting providers that offer many services. The key is to find a low-cost host with a very good reputation among its customers.

Use the Internet to find that perfect host to meet your business and personal Web needs. With the right host, you can grow your business to reach its greatest potential.