Web Hosting Blog

Experts of the Hosting Transformation Summit believe that Virtual Private Server (VPS) is the future of Web Hosting industry.

Exactly like the stand alone web server, Virtual Private Server (VPS) can perform and execute the tasks. The VPS hosting technique includes multiple servers on a single physical web server. The physical server is split with the use of highly sophisticated kernel based partitioning software. Every VPS has its own hard disk, IP, operating system, RAM and control panel with complete root SSH access and 100% guaranteed equal share of CPU processing power. The most important quality of the VPS is that any VPS account cannot affect the other accounts in spite of using the same hardware.

FEATURES:

Every VPS account has its own system configuration files and applications.

Every VPS account has its own processor, users, files with full access of the root.

Every VPS account can have its own system libraries or else, the existing can be modified.

Every VPS account can have its own IP addresses, port numbers, tables, filtering and routing rules.

BENEFITS

Any VPS file cannot be accessed by any other VPS account or VPS user present on the same hardware, hence enhancing privacy and security.

The VPS users have the complete control of the root, which enables users to modify server configuration files, install software’s and applications.

Every VPS user gets the complete hardware resource, hence every VPS user present on the same hardware gets equal optimum resources.

VPS account is much cheaper than going for a dedicated hosting account. Day by day VPS web hosting account is preffered by more and more users. VPS hosting falls in the category of cloud/grid computing and virtualization computing. VPS technology is an advanced technology of the future of web hosting.

Plesk and cPanel are the most common control panels provided to users by the web hosting services. Using the control panels users can create and modify the websites. Plesk can be availed with Linux as well as Windows operating systems, whereas cPanel can be available with Linux only. But the engineers are working on cPanel to be made available with Windows as well.

Users need to decide the between the control panels at the time of obtaining a web hosting account. The control panel should be easy to use and should have better built-in utilities. Depending on the users requirements the selection of control panel should be done. Though Plesk and cPanel offer similar basic features, which is the reason they are so popular. Using any one of the control panels users can create, modify or delete e-mail accounts, manage them, maintain domain or sub-domains and upload files and manage them as well. Add-on’s too are available with both Plesk and cPanel which helps creating and managing websites.

Plesk

As stated earlier, now-a-days Plesk is the highly preferred control panel. The reason is because it is highly reliable if compared with any other control panel. Its compatibility with Windows operating system (OS) makes it so popular amongst web hosting service providers. Plesk includes various versions for Linux and Windows OS’s. Plesk can be very easily learned. Due to which user’s time and money are saved.

The only drawback of Plesk is, the web developers and web designers do not have the privilege of creating their own add-ons and applications. Plesk has some security issues too, which means hackers can easily drop into the control panel no matter if the user changes its username and password.

Yet, if the user wants a control panel which is compatible with both Linux and Windows, Plesk can be the one. But if the user needs to install any programs and wants more easier control panel, then cPanel would be preferred.

cPanel

cPanel or Control Panel is another much preferred graphical web hosting control panel which is simple and easy for administering the websites. cPanel is supplied by cPanel Inc. cPanel is majorly used by commercial web hosting services. It requires monthly licensing as it is a proprietary product.

Most of the web-developers and web designers prefer cPanel. cPanel was designed for Speed hosting, its based on Perl scripts and mostly do not require access to databases. cPanel is helpful for designing and development of attractive websites as it is an excellent Graphical User Interface (GUI).

Few of many features of cPanel are database management, domain and sub-domain control, FTP, back-up facility, e-mail management etc. Loading is a very quick task with the use of cPanel. Fantastico and RVSkins can be installed using cPanel. cPanel provides each and every detail of the web-site due to its statistics sidebar. Web Host Manager (WHM) is available with cPanel. Reseller web hosting can be simplified with the use of WHM. WHM can also be used to set up reselling account and resell web hosting service.

With the use of site migration module in cPanel, websites and web hosting accounts can be easily migrated to other web hosting service.

Both the control panels have excellent graphical user interface. But cPanel has a better GUI than Plesk. It is more user friendly. Most of the web hosting service providers provides cPanel. Fantastico Deluxe installer is included in cPanel, which has many web utilities and powerful scripts. Installation of blogs, forums, content management systems (CMS), community boards, e-Commerce shopping carts, e-mail accounts and many other web tools can be easily done with the use of Fantastico. Users need not be a web programmer neither s/he should have knowledge of databases coding. One can install utilities and scripts easily. Plesk too provides an application pack but cPanels Fantastico cannot be compared.

Flash Player products are prone to clickjacking attacks due to a security defect as addressed by Adobe Systems.

Flash Player 10 was re-introduced into the market on Wednesday which has a fix for the flaw which was reported by Adobe systems.

Due to the susceptibility to clickjacking attacks, Adobe Flash Player 9.0.124.0 and the other previous products has security defect that needs to be fixed as Flash Products alongwith various browsers like Internet explorer, Firefox, Opera and Safari are prone to the attacks.

The new update can also prevent clickjacking attacks on users web cameras and microphones. The update contains four more security fixes which has improvement against clipboard attacks and a fix for port- scanning attacks.

What is Clickjacking?

Clickjacking is an exploit in which malicious coding is hidden beneath apparently legitimate buttons or other clickable content on a website. In technical terms it is also known as user-interface (UI) redressing and IFRAME overlay. The host website or a particular web page may be a genuine site which has been hacked. The attacker fools the user to visit a site via online links or e-mails.

Data protection or data security is important for everyone. Here are a few tips about keeping your data secure.

Whether it may be personal or official data files, securing them is important and essential for all of us. Antivirus softwares and firewalls can protect your PC or laptops from getting damaged or from various Internet threats. But not your personal confidential data. Encrypting the data can prove to be helpful in securing your valuable data.

Encrypting means converting the files in a format can be read only by you. Its just like a digital locker whose code is only known to you.

So how do you do the Encryption?

Here is the solution.

Go to Start —> All Programs —> Accessories —> Windows Explorer.

Then just Right click on the file you want to Encrypt. Click Properties —> General Tab —> Advanced

Check Encrypt contents to secure data box.

Now your file is encrypted.

NOTE : Compressed files or folders cannot be encrypted.

When you again need to make changes in the file or folder, you need to Decrypt it.

Go to Start —> All Programs —> Accessories —> Windows Explorer.

Then just Right click on the file you want to Encrypt. Click Properties —> General Tab —> Advanced

Select the Clear the Encrypt contents to secure data check box.

But there is one flaw in this too. If someone is able to access your computer, then the file you have encrypted, can be accessed. To avoid this you can set a password to your system or limit your access to others.

In any business a time comes when basic shared hosting does not serve your purpose. Most of the companies move to a service provider. This is called managed hosting. This type of hosting involves outsourcing critical functions to a company that serves your needs. This solution has proved to be more feasible to gain more business, hence many companies have been established for providing such services.

These service providers manage important aspects such as data backup, 24*7 monitoring and technical support. They might also help you manage customer’s web hosting account and also maintain their web-sites.

Today, day-by-day more and more companies are opting for such service providers. The service providers charge you a nominal fixed amount every month for the service they offer and the features of your account. These service providers have a heavily staffed in-house facility. Switching over to such service providers saves lot of your time and money too. They provide regular data back-ups and also take care of implementing reliable and efficient security. It becomes their headache of ensuring that your web-site is safe and is quickly recovered in case of any disaster.

Their Responsibilities Towards You : Quality, Service and Value

Any company to earn a name of a reliable hosting company, it should take security very seriously. Such web-hosting providers ensure protection against technical difficulties and any intrusions, they constantly monitor their servers for these reasons. Most of such providers provide 24*7 support may be via. Telephone, e-mails or live chats to tackle any web-hosting issues.

Web-hosting service providers offer their clients a large variety of services which results in a simplified way of running your business. Such service providers also do the task of managing remote access, monitoring the network at the same time managing it, scanning for vulnerability, implementation and management of firewall, incident tracking, server management etc. By choosing the option of such web-hosting provider, you tend to get rid of a huge burden of your business. This helps you direct your resources to other parts of your business.

What Do You Gain ?

Web-hosting proposes many different packages. It prevents you from utilizing your resources as well as human resources which is the backbone of any business. These service providers have highly trained staffs, professional support crew and technicians whose only aim is continuous and fault free working of your web-site.

One such service provider is Micfo Web-hosting company (Web: www.micfo.com).

Opting for such service providers is best suited, if a company wants to limit their resources, hence  saving  your money. It also relieves you from complex server administration and focus your attention on the operation of your business. Their services also cover major aspects such as marketing and assuring quality support to the clients. They primarily maintain their focus of keeping your business stay up and running. To give a gist of it is cutting down cost and increasing your convenience.

These type of services enable you to make a powerful web presence which helps you in the long run of business.

Now is the best time to switch to Windows Vista because of its all new better features, improved security and overall performance and experience.

Features

Windows Vista has many new and improved features as compared to Windows XP.

• Windows Aero : Vista’s interface has a completely different look. It is much cleaner, has an improved graphic quality, it has Live icons with new 3D Window Flip feature. But to enjoy this feature Windows Aero requires a higher version of video graphic card, if you do not have a higher version Vista is displayed using Windows Basic. To check for the compatibility, you can use Windows Vista Advisor to check if your video card meets Windows Aero`s requirements.

• Windows Sidebar : If you are using Windows Aero, then Vista offers a panel which would display your selection of Windows gadgets which performs useful function which include – a clock, a calendar, a Microsoft Office Inbox representation and also a currency exchange tab.

• 

  Windows Sidebar

• Microsoft Windows Media Player11 : Though it can also be downloaded for XP, this latest Media Player was designed for Windows Vista. Windows Media Player 11 with its new graphics oriented interface, has dumped the feature of text oriented look and field of previous versions.

• Windows Search : This is one if the most helpful feature in Vista. With this feature any file can be searched from anywhere. This feature cannot be found in Windows XP.

Security

Security is one of the important features these days. This feature has been taken seriously in Windows Vista.

• · Parental Control : By setting you as an administrator Vista sets highly specific boundaries for its other users. This includes separate standard user accounts for family members. You can restrict or allow access to web sites for the users as set by you. Same can be done by access to applications and folders.

• · User Account Control (UAC) : This is a new security feature introduced in Vista. It lets you operate this OS as a standard user than as a true administrator in which you have full access.

·

• Firewall : New Vista features two different firewalls, it involves firewall which was available in Windows XP and Windows Firewall with added advanced features. Windows firewall includes a bidirectional filter which scans both incoming and outgoing data.

Better User Experience

• New Start Menu : The new Start menu displays everything in context of a single menu. You do not require to scroll through a list of all applications.

• Improved Folders : Various folders such as My Documents, My Music, My Videos etc. are very simplified and appear as simple Documents, Music etc.

• Live Icons : If you are using Windows Aero, you can hover the mouse over open windows in the task bar and view a live representation of anything running in them. The same feature is offered by Windows Flip 3D feature.

These reasons might attract you to Windows Vista. But these were a handful added features. There is a lot that can be explored in Vista.

Front door access to a council’s internal network was possible in less than a pound by a security expert.

A security expert called Andrew Mason from a security firm known as Random Storm purchased a network hardware device at an auctioned at eBay. The expense for him 99p.

When the device was switched ON and plugged In, it automatically got connected to the internal network of Kirklees Council in West Yorkshire.

Mr. Mason had purchased a VPN (Virtual Private Network) server for 99p manufactured by Cisco systems whose all the steps are automated steps required for remote access to any network.

Honored admittance:

At just an expense of 99p, Mr. Mason purchased a VPN server which is an abbreviation of Virtual Private Network server. This was manufactured by Cisco Systems which has automated steps required for remote access to a network.

Usually, after powering On the new hardware, the device should ask for device settings to be submitted, but in Mr. Mason’s case no prompt appeared, it directly got connected to the previous destination where it was used.

Further investigation showed that the internet or IP or the address to which it got connected was the owner of Cap Gemini which was in a range of addresses assigned to Kirklees Council.

If it was fallen into wrong hands such as hackers or web maniacs, it could have given them enough privilege to exploit the network without anyone knowing that it’s been done so.

Now, though Kirklees council spokesperson are admitting that the council was deeply with the report but yet was confident that the multiple layer security had prevented access to systems and data.