Understanding Domain Names-Video tutorial part 1

www.build-your-website.co.uk A look at domain names for beginners Understanding domain name structure,Geographic and non Geographic,Top level names and how to choose a domain name. Part 1 of a series.

Understanding Php Based Web Hosting

The term PHP is a computer based programming language that is meant for generating dynamic web pages. The full form of PHP is “Hypertext Preprocessor”. It is as an open source language which is widely used by programmers and web developers. PHP is considered to be as the most famous server – side scripting language and mostly all the hosting providers offer PHP hosting services within the hosting package itself. With PHP, web developers can perform CGI tasks which include generating of dynamic contents or even be able to send and receive cookies. You as the user should ensure that your hosting company is in a position to support your PHP scripts.

It may so happen that you may face compatibility issues, whereby some scripts which are present in the market may run well only with the latest PHP version. In order to get rid of the above mentioned issue, hosting providers offer two PHP versions. You can then end up changing some scripts for older PHP version. You also need to be aware about the different modules. Ensure that your web hosting provider offers you the modules which are required. If the modules are not being provided by the web host, then at least make sure that you can install them at a latter stage.

It is important to have a proper understanding about the facilities that are provided by your hosting company. Before you purchase a web hosting plan, carefully examine the benefits and disadvantages that are involved in the concerned web hosting package. Find out what you plan on doing for your website in the near future and accordingly buy your web hosting package. Since, you have decided to mainly use PHP hosting service, ensure that your PHP hosting server will be able to support your database. You must be aware that you may not be able to use windows developed applications, on your website because PHP is based in Unix and it is a different operating system, altogether. Even visual Basic will have to be run on a windows platform, since visual basic is not supported on a PHP server.

When you decide upon using a PHP web hosting package make sure that your hosting company will be able to use further applications based on your future needs. Advance planning will not only save your time and money but you will be able to take care of your future web hosting needs. For Example: You may require switching your website’s platform or doing the necessary up gradation with regard to your web pages, in the near future. When the actual time comes, your hosting company must be able to accommodate your web page as per the advancement that is to be required.

These days there are so many PHP hosting companies who advertise their services on the internet. Almost many of them come out with competitive rates and services. Hence it becomes difficult to choose the right PHP web host for your website or blog. Before you make a final decision on purchasing the right PHP web hosting package, ensure that the hosting package that you intend to purchase have enough bandwidth for your current traffic and for the future traffic too. Your current PHP hosting package should offer enough disk space for your concerned website. Also, ensure that your hosting package has sufficient databases as per your website requirement.

Server Security- Understanding the Reasons with Possible Error Rectifying Measures

Server security has become vulnerable to the threats in the web environment. Hackers are on the lookout for the web server security breach to enter malicious software that gets installed automatically. It is important to look into the server security issues and provide solutions for optimum server security as it is the backbone of a website and making server security less vulnerable which is our prime responsibility only if we want to flourish without fail in the World Wide Web. There is a need to take heed of the possibilities of a hacking process that poses danger on the server security.

Web applications developed to ease of development and testing procedures offer privileges with no such restrictions and such privileges done on live production server poses a great threat for mischievous users to access it and hack it instantly and harm the server security. Similarly, the privileges on the file and network services by means of the service software can induce a malicious user to access sensitive areas like the website and its database, the web application files, backend data etc,  and create a server security breach issue. It is therefore wise on the part of the web master to provide least privileges for utmost server security.

User accounts can also keep certain server security holes as open access for hackers to barge in to pose a threat over the server security. The default user accounts when not in use should be deactivated or other wise it can pose a threat over server security. The names for the administrative accounts should be changed and not to be given to other users so as to guarantee complete server security. Correct authentication and privileges solves half of the problem and server security is guaranteed.

There is the need to get specialized in current security trends on the Internet; gaining experience to enable us to identify potential threats that might bring down your Internet hosts. There are full security auditing services offered for all UNIX-like operating systems (such as Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris etc.) and for all other Internet services. The security auditing should include within itself 24/7 live support, scanners for threat identification and terminating server security threats and errors from its root, periodical check, performance optimization and systematic troubleshooting tactics in case of grievous error occurrences. The scanners installed in the system should scan the web applications and perform advanced server security checks against the open ports and network services as well. The next best thing is also to check which ports are open or not by accessing your ISP Configuration Portscanner and can open only the ports you need for your services.

The expert team performing server security checks should have the ability to customize audits by controlling access to remote systems, comprehensive reporting facilities must be catered in order to ascertain open IP ports and network weaknesses, behavior of port scans, flexibility to schedule audits, give suggestions on newer server security measures implemented for ultimate server security. What more? Many websites offer security seals that perform standard and advanced audits to ensure proper server security making it less hacking prone.

Understanding Web Hosting Ratings

Web hosting ratings are like indicator towards knowing the over all nature of the web hosting service. Web hosting ratings will allow you to choose the good from the bad. Based on the ratings, you can decide upon having a new web host for your website. These days there are many websites that display information regarding best web hosts. Each website is given a rank based on a point scale. The scale starts from 1 and ends at 10. The more the points, the better is the rating and so is the web hosting service.

The basic idea of ranking websites is to make it easy for the buyer to select the required web hosting service. Web hosting ratings are based on various factors like : Competitive good price, customer support facility, security feature. Web hosting ratings allows you to find the web hosts that perform the best and specially in the area of your choice. The web hosting ratings helps you to make a decision regarding which web hosting ratings are backed with reviews which can help you to compare the services being offered by different web hosting companies, you get an opportunity of comparing various web hosting services on one site. Reading web hosting ratings is certainly a big way to gather details and information in a short time.

 

I am now going to share three web hosting examples which are rated accordingly. The examples are as follows :

 

1) Apollo Hosting service provider has a rating of 5 out of 5 and it is rated as top 1. This reputed web hosting company has low set up fees with lots of features and resources. It can provide multiple websites with just one account to maintain all of them. It can provide windows or Linux web hosting. The customer service is good since it can provide a live chat facility which is available 24 / 7. The company also gives a 30 day money back guarantee. It also incorporates many built in features with a budget price plan.

 

2) Infinity Host has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 and is top rated at number 2. This web hosting provider is mainly for those who have a tight budget. This company offers good hosting services with their budget VPS plans as one of their hosting packages. It also boasts of its shared hosting facility which has a very high security feature. Infinity Host provides allocated resource facility in order to prevent any slowing down by other sites which are hosted on the same server. This web hosting company is also rated for its “send mail” process facility which prevents bouncing of email. Most of the hosting companies offer the usual shared hosting service while Infinity Host offers the VPS through a so called “Budget Plan”, which is very impressive.

3) Web.com is rated with 4 out of 5 points and is considered to be number 3. The basis on which the rating is done due to various features that they offer within the hosting package. They offer a basic hosting package with marketing and shopping cart support. They have a standard hosting solution which is mainly suited for personal or hobby sites. They have a pricey plan which incorporates an unlimited transfer facility. Web.com provides a vast online library facility with a fast support system.

 

I would like to conclude this article by saying that the ratings when compared,

allow the customer to make his or her right choice and finally allows the person to

easily approach the company for service.

Understanding The Basics of Web Hosting Services

Web hosting is a basic internet service that allows individuals, organizations and corporations to establish a virtual presence on the World Wide Web. As the Internet continues to grow, increased competition, new marketing methods and ensuring excellent quality service to customers are all obstacles that business owners must face in order to turn a profit. Through web hosting, individuals can create personal web pages that serve as a profile page which can be retrieved online by associates and prospective employers.

It can be used as an access point for client liaison, networking or simply as a means to meet other people through the internet. On the average the cost of the website should not any longer than per megabytes the low cost web hosting companies must provide the maximum bandwidth with minimum time. For entities on the other hand, web hosting services create an online channel that allow their various publics to access company services, programs and pertinent corporate releases in the objective of establishing a virtual database, an information network or an alternative channel for their commercial activities. You can open account with the help of free services or blogger and no experience is needed for such hosting service.

A web hosting contract usually involves the services of a web hosting provider called the web host and a client called the user. If a user anticipates lot of visitors to his site, then he needs a service provider that can handle the traffic without any pester. Under a typical setup, the web host is a company that owns and operates a server. The web host generally provides server space as well as internet connectivity to the user. It is also very important to find that what kind of hosting service is best for you. Web hosting is a cutthroat business. A more intricate and costly web hosting service is termed as collocation. The client is the owner of the server and the web host merely provides physical space for the client’s server while rendering related technical service support.

Hosting services are available in various categories to range from free, advertisement supported hosting which provides limited functionality to the user; There are different types of web hosting services: shared web hosting, paid web hosting, free web hosting, clustered web hosting, and reseller web hosting, file web hosting and dedicated web hosting. The cost effective pooled type of hosting that provides shared services among different clients; and down to the more technical forms of web hosting which includes collocation and clustered hosting. This has drawbacks like reducing speed and making information more accessible to tampering.

Understanding Your Web Hosting Service With a True Business Sense

Since you want to get involved in a web hosting business, you might have already decided the various facilities that you are about to provide to your customers. Example:

You must have already figured out what packages to offer, the required pricing schedule and you must have also thought an automated system etc. Now, in order to be successful in your web hosting business, you certainly need to understand the technical requirements. However, there is another important side that you need to understand while dealing with your web hosting business. It is all about how you handle your business plan. In this article, I am going to talk about managing a web hosting business with the right business attitude.

Like all business, a web hosting business cannot be directly dependent on future profits alone. You must first begin to search for sources of finding your web hosting business plan. You must have funds to finance daily operations. You must arrange the necessary finance towards basic day expenses for the coming few months. If don’t adopt this strategy of working, then you are likely to get stuck for want of basic cash and you will not be able to focus on your business targets. You might then end in debts. In order to avoid this situation, you must arrange funds and then you must start maintaining the business by using your funds wisely.

Initially, you should not spend on expensive equipment or try to get involved into corporate infrastructure. Start on a low profile. Firstly, spend towards basic equipment set up and then slowly upgrade your systems when you realize that your business is growing. If you straight away spend money of high grade system without feeling your business pulse, you will end up being equipment rich but cash poor. In other words, you will end up towards being out of business very quickly. You can initially start investing on low cost web hosting equipments that are easily available and that are fairly in expensive but yet adequate enough to start your basic web hosting business along with automated hosting platform and broadband connectivity.

You can even consider outsourcing certain job works in order to maximize your cost savings. Always keep your operating costs as low as possible. Also, you need to be customer friendly in order to win more orders from people. Your web hosting business must incorporate all types of facilities that are required for a good customer service. A good customer support will act as a key towards a successful web hosting business. If a customer contacts you, as a service provider, you must then immediately try to contact them and help them towards their web hosting related problems. In this way you will make the customers happy and satisfied. Ensure your customers that your web hosting business plan involves facilities liked good technical support, toll free number, help desks and trouble ticket systems.

Understanding the Method of Making Money Through Web-hosting Service

Web hosting can be considered as a subscription oriented business. Once a customer subscribes to your hosting service, you will then earn constant money, on a monthly basis and that too with no additional investment from your side. If you don’t have the right quantity of money towards a web hosting business, then in that case, you can start a reseller web hosting business for a far lesser price. You will then comfortably be able to offer the reseller hosting package, along with the whole seller free and domain name registration facility. On the other hand, investing in a web hosting business through the traditional way will involve huge investment whereby you would be investing big time money towards purchasing the equipment and software. Hence, starting a reseller web hosting business is the right choice.

Starting a reseller web hosting business is a better option to earn money. A reseller hosting account involves a particular web hosting plan, by which the reseller can buy the hosting service at a discount or at a wholesale rate and then offer the same hosting service to a third party. Resellers of web hosting plans are nothing but entrepreneurs who act as middleman. Resellers of web hosting plans basically lease their hosting service from another web host’s server rather than taking the pains to purchase and maintain their own equipment. By this way, a seller saves on basic investment over heads. This is because a reseller who deals with web hosting service, don’t have to worry about maintaining equipment or software. In case there arise any problem with the server, it is the whole seller who will resolve the issue, not the re-seller. The customer will not be aware as to who actually restored the server issue.

A reseller web hosting business can be conducted from anywhere around. The basic criteria required for a web hosting business is the internet access. If you want to be successful in your web hosting business, you need to think local. Check for new customers who are around you. In other words, look out for customers at your workplace, your neighborhood, friends and relatives too. You could also find customers from your cell phone numbers and email contact list. This is a simple idea of fishing for customers who are within your source of contact. You can promote your web hosting business by posting on relevant blogs, forums and using text link ads. You can send your company related information through news letters to targeted customers. You can also have a website, containing various sections, in the form of advertisements. Your visitor will then select on the appropriate advertising section of interest and thereby get access to more information about the concerned web hosting package and thus be tempted to buy what they need. By this method, you are actually helping your visitors to narrow down their search and be able to select a package that is suitable for their business.

A reseller web hosting business can be started by a person who knows basic windows experience. You don’t have to be an expert in java developer or any kind of software programming expert. When you enter into the reseller web hosting business, it is important to know the reliability and the credibility of the company. Otherwise, you can be in losses and ultimately end up in subsequent closure of your reseller hosting account. I would like to conclude this article by encouraging you to take up a re-seller web hosting business which involves a very small investment plan. The investment is in the form of a monthly or yearly fee for availing this opportunity of conducting the concerned reseller web hosting business.

Understanding Linux and Windows Towards Web Hosting

A Linux based hosting service can be appreciated if you have a true understanding about it. Linux is an open source operating system. There are no licensing fees for it. So, compared to windows, Linux is very cheap. Windows have software activation rights. A single copy of windows can be installed only on one computer. In the case of Linux once you have owned the software copy, you are free to install the software as many times as you wish on various computers.

On the other hand, Windows has a monolithic design, whereby it creates a sort of interdependence between the various parts of the server. A practical example can be seen in windows media player and Microsoft Internet explorer. In the case of Linux, it is known for its open source community development. Due to its group oriented approach method, Linux can easily oppose the monolithic based design concept by creating an operating system made up of parts that are freely independent of each other.

Linux and windows can successfully run popular web technologies such as HTML, CSS DHTML, XHTML, XML, JAVA Script, JAVA, CGI and Perl. They can also support Email, FTP, reporting and other basic features too. Also, both the operating systems (Linux and windows ) can do a good job when it comes to interfacing with Microsoft front page. Linux deals with open source development method, such as PHP nad RUBY on rails. Mostly, the Linux based databases use MYSQL. On the other hand, windows deal with ASP and other Microsoft proprietary applications such as Microsoft exchange. Window based databases mostly rely on MS SQL. When it comes to talking about the security risks involved on servers, one must be aware of the fact that one cannot ensure a 100 % risk free security service. I am saying this because even today there exist unskilled server administrators; people involved in brute force password crackers, unsecured PHP or ASP scripts etc.

In a windows based system, it becomes easy for hackers to compromise and entire server. The IIS web server is deeply interconnected with the core of the windows. Hence, if a security threat is found in the IIS web server, it could lead to compromising the entire windows server. That is why, external browsers such as Mozilla, Fire Fox are considered to be safer for a window PC than the integrated Microsoft Internet Explorer. Now in the case of a Linux security based system, there exists a large as well as an educated security team. However, one must also be aware of the fact that there exists a group of educated community of hackers too.

Linux is mainly used for database servers and Internet servers. Many companies prefer to use Linux on their servers as an alternative to other operating systems. Linux can be considered as a very efficient, multi-user multitasking operating system. Linux is popular on the internet as well as by many small companies. Linux is very stable and it uses the resources very efficiently. Linux is compatible with Microsoft windows, whereby it can support fully access to windows file system. Linux runs efficiently on your present hardware. Your older machines can also work on Linux.

In other words, your old hardware which might have discarded just because it was in adequate for the latest software upgrades can now be a valuable resource for your company. You can put your hardware back in service with Linux. Web hosting service based on Linux is easy and cheaper than windows hosting. It is a better choice over windows.

Understanding Cpanel in Web Hosting Service

These days, web hosting is easily reachable to even those type of people who may have low level technical skills and training. All this is possible due to the existence of the user-oriented control panel. One of such popular control panel is the cPanel ( control panel). The full form of cPanel is Control Panel. It is a way to allow the website owners to maintain and keep their websites updated. This website based cPanel was developed by Darkorbc communications Inc. and it was basically made for the consumer to conveniently control every aspect of their activity on the concerned website. cPanel type of control panel is very suitable for the beginners. Through cPanel, emails can be conveniently operated. You can use cPanel with many browsers, like IE, Opera, Firefox and others. cPanel provides various facilities such as :

1) It provides a backup facility:

Through backup facility, you get the opportunity of creating a reserve copy of an account file and also databases. You can also restore some part of the user’s account.

2) Organizes emails:

You can create, add and also change password during managing of email accounts. cPanel is also used for Auto responders, forwards, mailing list and spam filtering.

3) Stats:

The websites efficiency and website popularity can be measured with different tools such as webalizer, web stats, analog stats, view latest visitors, view bandwidth usage and also by using the view bandwidth usage facility.

4) Sub domains provision:

You can use cPanel to create and manage sub domain’s. Also, statistics of its use can be viewed. In other words, you can add or remove sub domains and perform sub domains redirects too.

5) FTP:

FTP accounts can be managed with the help of cPanel. In other words, accounts can be created in order to access to certain directories or domains. You can add, remove, change passwords for accessing. You also will have the ability to kill FTP sessions.

6) Site tools facility :

There are tools available for protecting the website. The front page password can be changed, do redirects, MIME types can be edited and also apache handlers can be edited. There is also a provision for search engine tool submitting and File Manager option. Pre-Installed CGI scripts are also available for usuage.

cPanel is a user friendly interface. Anyone with any level of Internet and computer usuage ability can successfully use cPanel. It was designed with the aim of encouraging more average website owners and also to accommodate most ages and educational groups of computer users. cPanel has also included a facility called “Fantastico” which allows website owners to easily install programs such as WordPress, Moodle, phpBB, mambo and Joomla with one click. It would take a lot of time of the website owner would try to install these programs alone.

cPanel offers great assistance in terms of saving time of people who are not experts in creating databases. The cPanel provides databases and database management from the main screen. People of all levels can use cPanel program. cPanel gives the website owner a feel of respect for the website as a whole. It is very easy to accomplish tasks of maintaining website. Hence, whenever you choose a web hosting provider, see that the company that is chosen is having cPanel as part of its package.

Understanding the Importance of Web Hosting Along With E-commerce

A web hosting service can be used for various types of websites. Based on the nature of the website, you must make the right decision to choose the right type of web hosting. If you have an e-commerce related website then in that case you will have to be very cautious by using the right type of web host. This is mainly because e-commerce is a very security conscious based business. It has to be handled with great alertness. E-commerce basically deals with transactions of products or services online. These products are in the form of virtual shop fronts, B2B (business to business), buying and selling etc. Your ecommerce website deals with handling of the money that you earn from products / services that you sell. Hence it is extremely important to have the right web host.

If you are using ecommerce with your website, it means that you can accept money 24/7, even while you are offline. You also are able to provide payment options to customers. It can be in the form of PayPal, credit cards or even allow the customers to purchase online products through the conventional methods of checks too. If you want your money transactions to be safe, you have to go for a dedicated web hosting service. Mostly web hosting services are offered by using a shared server. It means that this server is being shared between you and also other paying customers. This can lead to traffic bottlenecking and other important security issues. Choosing a hosting on a shared server is definitely not a wise idea if your web host has to deal with your money through your website. A dedicated server is always recommended for an e-commerce related website.

In a dedicated server, you will find no other websites sharing the same server as in the case of a shared server. This will eliminate issues of security and you will also have not traffic issues with a dedicated server. You just have to rent your server and this dedicated server will do justice to your online business since the dedicated server will be dedicated to your own online business only. There are many unscrupulous people out there who always try to steal other people’s money through online. So, the only way to safeguard your money businesses and reputation is by relying on a dedicated server. Dedicated servers provide the facility of more storage space, more bandwidth for data transfer and more software and script options.

A dedicated server is beneficial in all ways. However, there is a flip side and it is the cost factor. Yes, a dedicated server is expensive. The main reason behind this is that the server is dedicated completely to your needs. In a shared type of server, the cost can be collectively managed by a group of people who are sharing the server. But in the case of a dedicated server the cost is going to borne by you since the entire server is dedicated just for you. You can yet look out for an economical dedicated server if you want to safe guard your valuable website transactions.

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