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Searching for web hosting companies will return a variety of results, displaying the various types of web hosting plans available. You may have done this before and encountered a few Linux web hosting plans. I am sure most of your are familiar with the Linux operating system, but for those of you who are not, Linux is the leading alternative to the Windows operating system, and is used by many companies around the world. Developed by Linus Torvalds in 1991, Linux is a Unix-like operating system that was originally meant to replace the Minux operating system. Linux is considered an open source operating system, as each user receives a source code with their copy of the operating system. Linux comes in different “flavors” such as RedHat and Ubuntu.

LAMP

All Linux web hosting plans include the LAMP software bundle. LAMP stands for Linux-Apache-MySQL-PHP/Perl/Python. Apache is a widely used open-source, multi-platform web server. Most Linux hosting plans use Apache servers. MySQL is a database that provides multiple users access to several online databases that are used to comprise the data of a website or network of websites. Any webmaster trying to utilize advanced website design of any kind will need a database of some sort.

PHP/Perl/Python

PHP/Perl/Python are all programming languages used in the production of advanced web applications. Almost all Linux web hosting solutions support PHP, while Perl and Python are not fully supported by all web hosting service providers. In fact, few web hosting companies actually provide support for the Perl and Python languages.

Linux Hosting Vs Windows Hosting

Without knowing the difference it can be a difficult decision to choose between Windows and Linux -based web hosting. The fact is, there is no major visual difference between the two on the surface, and most average users would not even notice the difference at first glance. However, there are some fundamental differences between the two that could affect your ultimate decision. For example, if you’re planning on using any Microsoft applications and programming tools likes Visual C++, Frontpage, or ASP.Net, then you may want to consider Windows-based web hosting.

Security and Performance

As far as security is concerned, Linux web hosting is considered to be safer than Windows-based web hosting. Therefore users can expect greater reliability and more uptime when using a Linux  hosting service. Linux servers can also run for a very long time without the need for a reboot, whereas Windows servers need to reboot after almost every upgrade.  Performance-wise Windows and Linux are neck and neck and there is no considerable difference.

Price

The most noticeable difference between the two for the average consumer is price. Linux web hosting is generally cheaper than Windows web hosting. If you are looking for a cheap deal on web hosting combined with reliability then you should consider Linux web hosting. If you absolutely need Microsoft application functionality, then perhaps Windows-based web hosting would be best for you.

Searching for web hosting companies will return a variety of results, displaying the various types of web hosting plans available. You may have done this before and encountered a few Linux web hosting plans. I am sure most of your are familiar with the Linux operating system, but for those of you who are not, Linux is the leading alternative to the Windows operating system, and is used by many companies around the world. Developed by Linus Torvalds in 1991, Linux is a Unix-like operating system that was originally meant to replace the Minux operating system. Linux is considered an open source operating system, as each user receives a source code with their copy of the operating system. Linux comes in different “flavors” such as RedHat and Ubuntu.

LAMP

All Linux web hosting plans include the LAMP software bundle. LAMP stands for Linux-Apache-MySQL-PHP/Perl/Python. Apache is a widely used open-source, multi-platform web server. Most Linux hosting plans use Apache servers. MySQL is a database that provides multiple users access to several online databases that are used to comprise the data of a website or network of websites. Any webmaster trying to utilize advanced website design of any kind will need a database of some sort.

PHP/Perl/Python

PHP/Perl/Python are all programming languages used in the production of advanced web applications. Almost all Linux web hosting solutions support PHP, while Perl and Python are not fully supported by all web hosting service providers. In fact, few web hosting companies actually provide support for the Perl and Python languages.

Linux Hosting Vs Windows Hosting

Without knowing the difference it can be a difficult decision to choose between Windows and Linux -based web hosting. The fact is, there is no major visual difference between the two on the surface, and most average users would not even notice the difference at first glance. However, there are some fundamental differences between the two that could affect your ultimate decision. For example, if you’re planning on using any Microsoft applications and programming tools likes Visual C++, Frontpage, or ASP.Net, then you may want to consider Windows-based web hosting.

Security and Performance

As far as security is concerned, Linux web hosting is considered to be safer than Windows-based web hosting. Therefore users can expect greater reliability and more uptime when using a Linux  hosting service. Linux servers can also run for a very long time without the need for a reboot, whereas Windows servers need to reboot after almost every upgrade.  Performance-wise Windows and Linux are neck and neck and there is no considerable difference.

Price

The most noticeable difference between the two for the average consumer is price. Linux web hosting is generally cheaper than Windows web hosting. If you are looking for a cheap deal on web hosting combined with reliability then you should consider Linux web hosting. If you absolutely need Microsoft application functionality, then perhaps Windows-based web hosting would be best for you.

These days, it is more important than ever to keep your website current with the latest security measures.  Why so much emphasis on security?  Because hackers are always looking for ways to penetrate servers and websites to thieve sensitive information.  There are is a lot you can do to ensure better website security and the tips in this article should taken very seriously.

1.) Update Your Applications and Scripts

Running outdated web applications and code on your site is liking giving hackers an open invite.  So if you have older versions of WordPress or Joomla installed, it is advisable that you immediately check for and perform the necessary updates.  This goes for any application or programming languages used for your site.  For a knowledgeable hacker, compromising Joomla 1.0 is as easy as uploading a shell script to an insecure form.  If successful, they could end up with complete control of your account.

2.) Create Strong Passwords

A password can be a simple but effective security mechanism.  However, this is only the case when following a strict set of rules.  When securing login sessions and other areas of your site, never apply a password that can be easily guessed by others or is used for other accounts.  If someone knows just one of your passwords, they can keep trying it for each of your accounts until they are successful.  This could not only lead them to the control panel login of your hosting account, but also the financial institution you do your online banking with.

3.) Mask Your Folders

It is always wise to cloak your website files and folders that are stored on the server.  Many security experts suggest keeping a blank index.html file in each of the folders stored in your public directory.  Doing this will ensure that the contents cannot easily be viewed by internet users.  This process is made simple with the cPanel control panel and its Index Manager function.  You can take this one step further by password protecting the administrator folder that contains the scripts you are running.  This is highly recommended as it provides an added layer of security that will make an intruder have to work that much harder.

What If I Still Get Hacked?

As we eluded to earlier, there is a possibility that even after adhering to all of these tips and more, your website can still be compromised by a hacker.  Should your site be successfully exploited, there are a couple of things you should do right away to minimize the damage.  The first step that needs to be taken involves changing all of the passwords associated with your website.  This goes from your control panel and administrative areas to everything else in between.  Next, go through your hosting account to find and update all old applications and plugins as they could easily be the culprits that led to exposure.  Any website can be compromised and if it happens to you, your sensitive information can be used for criminal gain in one way or another.  Prevention is the key so employ all the measures you can to ensure you are protected against the existing and emerging threats.

For a plethora of reasons, millions of customer are motivated to start a website.  Each new hosting acount accompanies a unique set of requirements.  Although price, customer support, and reliability are key points, features also play a major role in making a decision.  Features are often the most attractive part of a web hosting package and thy act as the foundation to any hosting account.   This article will talk about some of the most common features you will encounter when looking for service.

Email Tools

Email is the preferred method of communication for millions of individuals and businesses across the world.  Realizing this, web hosting companies provide all the email features needed to keep base with contacts.  Aside from multiple accounts, you generally get complimentary features such as webmail, autoresponders and forwarders to communicate effectively no matter where you might be.  Because unsolicited mail and virus infected attachments are a tremendous problem, hosting providers help you stay protected with spam filtering applications to dramatically cut down on those potentially dangerous messages.  Often overshadowed by more luxurious offerings, but email remains to be one of the most useful features in any hosting plan.

Shopping Cart Software

E-commerce is a driving force on the web and shopping carts are a big part of what enables this thriving industry.  If you have aspirations of selling your own products or services online, this is the type of software you need to make it happen. Shopping carts often come included in business or e-commerce hosting packages, usually at no additional costs.  In many cases, these programs can be easily installed through your control panel interface.

Programming Languages

Scripting or programming languages, have become common on the web hosting market but these features are geared towards more advanced users.  Some examples are open-source languages such as PHP, Perl and Ruby on Rails and proprietary technologies such as ASP and ASP.NET.  These programming tools serve benefit to developers and webmasters who are proficient at coding and building content from scratch.  A hosting provider that has these software packages installed on their server allow you to diversify your website with dynamic content that stand outs from static HTML pages.

Site Builders

Almost all web hosting plans come equipped with utilities that provide you the ability to create your site.  With most tools, you can choose from a nice selection of pre-designed templates and basically create your website in easy drag-and-drop fashion.  These utilities typically do not call for you to have any knowledge in client-side programming languages such as HTML or even server-side variations like Python or PHP.  In addition to integrated building tools, many host also offer support for standalone web design applications such as Dreamweaver and Microsoft FrontPage. These programs allow you to create your site offline and upload it to the server without the use of an FTP client.

Conclusion

The list of web hosting features is huge and seems to expand every year.  Others you might find interesting include support for multimedia applications, web stat applications and databases among others.  To each its own in this regard because everyone has that dynamic tool set they just can’t do without.