When people are looking for their first hosting platform, especially the owners of small websites with not much traffic, they are looking for an affordable and easy-to-use option. In this case, Shared Hosting can be a good choice due to its intuitive interface and pocket-friendly plans. It is a great starting point for small business owners, novice bloggers, etc. because of its low price. Shared Hosting doesn’t need much investment and the plans offered by most Shared Hosting providers offer complete value for money.
Shared Hosting makes an ideal starter platform. Leading Shared Hosting providers provide pre-integrated control panels with their plans, thereby making the hosting account management seamless. Also, the provider takes care of the complete server setup, management and maintenance. While it’s not required to understand the technical intricacies, it pays to know how the Shared Hosting architecture works, at least on the security side of things.
With newer and more vicious malware being created every day, cyber threats are always evolving and changing. Knowing how security works on Shared Hosting will help you determine the do’s and the don’ts as well as optimise your website better. If you take care of the basics during the initial stages, securing your website becomes easier and much more effective.
But before we can look at how to secure your website on Shared Hosting, it is necessary to understand what Shared Hosting is and how it works.
What is Shared Hosting?
Shared Hosting is a web hosting solution that allows multiple websites to share the resources of a single physical server. Each website receives a limited share of resources issued to it by its hosting server. The availability of resources for each of these websites differs from plan to plan. With every higher plan of Shared Hosting, you get more resources, but you also pay more for those.
Because of this sharing of resources, the security of your website hosted on a shared server is of paramount importance. Not only do you have to safeguard your website against viruses and malware, but also hacking attempts. As a hosting platform, Shared Hosting can be secured against all known cyber threats. Almost all Shared Hosting providers secure their services with a robust security system. Let’s take a look at the measures that are used to secure Shared Hosting.
6 Tips to Secure Shared Hosting
Any website that is hosted online can be secured with a combination of hardware and software security measures. To combat the growing threats of cyberattacks effectively, security measures need to keep up and advance at a faster pace.
While antivirus software and firewalls receive regular updates to remain up to date, your security protocols must also be reviewed and updated from time to time. Make sure to follow the recommended practices when it comes to managing your website.
Let’s take a look at how you can secure your website:
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Install robust security features
One of the first things to do for your hosting account is to put the security measures in place for your website. While your hosting provider will have a server firewall, some extra security always goes a long way in keeping your website safe. In addition to an antivirus, you should also install anti-malware and anti-spyware software like SiteLock Website Security.
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Regularly update your security measures
The best security measures will prove to be ineffective if not updated regularly. Ensure that all your security applications and software stay updated so that they can combat newer threats effectively. The same applies to your website’s plugins, themes and other add-ons. In addition to new features and improved usability, updates bring important security patches which seal up vulnerabilities and potential breach points within the software.
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Take regular backups
Backups are the ultimate insurance against cyber threats. If your website goes down due to a cyberattack, you can quickly restore it using the latest backup. But this will be effective only when you take and maintain regular backups of your website. The more the frequency of your backups, the better it is for your website. Also, ensure that you store your backups at a secure separate location. You can install automated backup solutions like CodeGuard with your Shared Hosting plan. However, it is vital to keep a manual backup as well.
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Regulate user roles and permissions
Your website users are among the most likely breach points for gaining illegal entry into your system. So, be very careful while allocating permissions and privileges to other users. Put guidelines in place for using stronger, harder-to-crack passwords and enable two-factor authentication for that added bit of security. Do not give administrator privileges to everybody as a single mistake from an inexperienced user is enough to bring down your website.
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Avoid untrusted sources
Sometimes, in the race to put out new features and functionalities or simply to save cost, security takes a backseat. When you download software from an untrusted source or install a “free” version of a paid software, there are high chances of it being infected with a virus or any other sort of malware. While it can be extremely tempting, just avoid untrusted sources and suspicious freebies.
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Choose a reliable Shared Hosting provider
While it may not be immediately obvious, your hosting provider plays an important part in the security of your website Not all hosting providers enjoy a stellar reputation or offer the same level of service. Do your research before shortlisting one. Also, understand all the security features that they’re offering with their plans like free SSL, ability to upgrade to a paid SSL, additional software like SiteLock. Ensure that you opt for a reliable and trustworthy provider that prioritizes your security.
You can check out Shared Hosting plans from HostGator that offer state-of-the-art infrastructure and come bundled with advanced programming and database tools and best-in-class SSL certification. Use the integrated cPanel to put stringent security measures in place and protect your website against threats.
Conclusion
Considering the emphasis and urgency attached to the security of your website, securing your Shared Hosting account may seem to be a daunting task. However, it becomes easier when you know what it entails. Split up the security measures into smaller parts and tackle it one part at a time. A systematic approach is the key to ensuring your website’s safety. Follow all the guidelines mentioned above to guarantee a safe and secure Shared Hosting experience. In case of any queries regarding the safety of your Shared Hosting plan, leave a comment or contact us.
To know more about the other web hosting categories and to choose the right option for your business, visit our Hosting Blogs Category.
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