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According to Symantec, more than 75% of websites have some type of vulnerability to cyber attacks. In 2015, just over one million people experienced a cyber attack each day. One reason stands out for flawed online security: cyberspace criminals take advantage of website administrators that do not adequately secure customer websites. A growing army of hackers seeks to penetrate easy to enter websites that web hosting companies fail to secure. This brings us to one of the most important questions involved in selecting a web hosting company.
Is VPS hosting more secure than shared web hosting?
What is Shared Web Hosting?
Shared web hosting plans allocate server resources among several customers. This means customers have limits on services such as disk space, database configuration, monthly data traffic, and number of email accounts. Customers also share performance resources that include the central processing unit (CPU) and random access memory (RAM). Shared web hosting represents an economical way for budget-strapped users to upload online content because the cost of running a server spreads over numerous users. The downside of shared web hosts includes slower data transmissions and below average uptime rates.
What is Virtual Private Server (VPS) Web Hosting?
VPS web hosting means a server divides its functions into several separate sections, with each section serving a different client. Although every user of a VPS web host access the same physical machine, only your website has access to the resources available in the virtual section allocated to your account. Other websites in a VPS hosting plan do not influence the performance of your website. However, you share CPU, RAM, bandwidth, and disk storage with other websites that access the virtual private server.
Types of Security Issues for Web Hosts
Web hosts face several security issues that drain customers of vital financial resources. Both VPS and shared web hosts face attacks by hackers uploading malware that disrupts the flow of digital operations. Your website can face frequent down times or the inability to upload important customer information, such as bank account statements and Social Security data. Once a hacker infests a VPS or shared web hosting website, all of the other customers become vulnerable to cyber attacks. Malware triggers security attacks automatically or accidentally because a network administrator performs routine server maintenance work. Another security issue for VPS and shared web hosts involves the intrusion of identity thieves.
The Vulnerability of Shared Web Hosts
Shared web hosting companies receive plenty of negative publicity for security breaches. Improper server configurations typically cause the massive infections that taint websites on shared web hosting networks. Back in 2010, some of the most powerful shared web hosting companies, such as GoDaddy and Bluehost, experienced significant damage from the malware planted by savvy hackers. Over the course of the past six years, many shared web hosting companies have made significant adjustments to thwart the attempts of hackers trying to gain access to customer website accounts. However, shared web hosts attract customers that pay little, if any attention to the administration of their websites.
Remember that not all shared web hosting companies offer the same level of cyber security. The level of security provided by a shared web hosting plan depends largely on the infrastructure of the server and the attentiveness of the customers that share the server. It is a myth that shared web hosts offer the most insecure web hosting platform for individuals and small businesses.
The Vulnerability of VPS Web Hosts
VPS web hosts receive a lot of positive publicity when it comes to cyber security. However, VPS web hosting plans require customers to possess advanced technical knowledge to take advantage of the security features. In many cases, VPS web hosting customers do not have the technical knowledge to configure their allotment of the virtual server for optimal online security. The result is the same lack of online security that plagues customers deciding to save money and selecting shared web hosting plans. For the typical website owner, a VPS web hosting plan does not represent a practical web host option, unless a qualified system administrator configures the security setting to prevent cyber attacks.
Unfortunately, improperly configured VPS web hosting websites create much more damage than the damage created by poorly configured shared web hosting websites. This is because with a shared web hosting plan, you at least receive the most fundamental website security protections. When configured properly, VPS hosted websites offer customers a secure environment that prevents cyber attacks committed by hackers.
6 Tips to Protect Your Website from Cyber Attacks:
Whether you choose a shared or VPS web host, you have several things you can do to tighten up the security ship. Outsourcing the security of your website to a third party vendor does not mean you relinquish responsibility for securing important data.
Here are 6 tips to keep your website secure:
- Make sure the shared or VPS host implements strategies for maintaining up to date security software. Sometimes, this means a VPS or Shared web host vendor only has to patch up security software integrated within its web hosting platform
- All personal information transferred from your website into cyberspace must encrypt by using an SSL certificate
- Verify your website follows all of the coding principles that create a secure online environment
- Perform regularly scheduled scans that detect malware within your computer hard drive or in the coding of your website
- Back up all of the information generated by your website at the end of each day
Above all, recruit a website security professional to analyze and test your website. Whether you choose a shared or VPS web hosting plan, you need to identify security risks before cyber criminals exploit you for financial gain. The question to the answer “Is VPS hosting more secure than shared hosting” boils down to the level of your involvement in securing your website.
