Having security issues on your website can be detrimental in a number of ways. First, consider how you would feel if a site you frequently visit fell victim to security issues. Most likely, you would avoid it going forward, and its reputation would be tarnished in your mind. Security problems can also pose a threat to your site’s uptime, as certain types of cyber attacks can cause your server to go down completely. No matter what type of website you run, keeping it as secure as possible will always be in your best interest. Fortunately, there are several steps you can follow to avoid security vulnerabilities on your site – even if you don't have experience with IT maintenance. 1.     Install Updates and Patches Regularly When developing a cyber security plan, you should start by staying on top of all patches and updates. Typically, patches are released when a known security vulnerability

Websites serve a variety of purposes for nonprofit organizations, from educating visitors about the cause to hosting a portal for donations. Therefore, it’s important to choose a reliable, trustworthy hosting company for your charity’s website. You want to ensure your site can handle traffic influxes, is protected against cyber threats, and loads quickly. Unfortunately, not all hosting solutions are created equal. However, by having a better understanding of what your hosting options are and what to look for, you can make a confident choice that suits your organization. Understanding Your Hosting Options As a nonprofit, you may be entitled to free hosting. Many companies offer free shared hosting for organizations that can show proof of their current nonprofit status. However, you should err with caution when it comes to these hosting options. While this type of plan can save your organization money, it might not be very reliable. If you’re

If you’ve just made the switch to dedicated hosting, chances are you’re feeling a bit unsure about your ability to maintain a server. While the prospect of handling dedicated server maintenance on your own may seem intimidating, it doesn’t have to be difficult. By following some basic steps, even total beginners can successfully manage and maintain their servers. Back-Up Your Information Having a data backup plan in place is a must when it comes to managing your dedicated server and improving your overall security. While these servers are quite secure on their own, it's always a good idea to have a remote backup in place to protect your sensitive information. Fortunately, ReliableSite offers a wide range of storage options to suit your needs, including an easy-to-use File Transfer Protocol (FTP) backup service. With this type of backup, you’ll always have a recent copy of your information stored elsewhere for quick

When it comes to data security, one of the most effective things you can do is to make sure you have a reliable backup in place at all times. A backup ensures that, even if your primary source of data is compromised, you'll have recent copies of all of your files and information to fall back on. However, what a lot of people don't realize is that not all data backups are created equal. In fact, there are some significant differences between on-site and off-site backups. So, which option is best for you? Let’s take a closer look. On-Site vs. Off-Site Data Backups As the name would suggest, an on-site data backup is one that you keep at your place of business. For example, you might choose to back up your information on an external hard drive, CD, or flash drive that you store in your office. An off-site backup, on the other

These days, there's no good excuse not to have your data backed up. This is especially true when you consider how frequent web attacks and data breaches are becoming. No matter how big or small your business may be, your sensitive information could be at risk. Luckily, with a data backup in place, you’ll have copies of your confidential information in the event that it’s compromised. What is an Off-Site Backup? When it comes to backing up your data, you have a variety of options. First, you can back up your information on a physical hard drive that you keep at your place of business or even at your home. Certain shared hosting plans also offer backups, which is a cost-effective option for many individuals. However, the best option you can select when protecting your sensitive data is an off-site backup on a dedicated server. With a dedicated server, you won’t have to share

There’s a lot to consider when shopping for a dedicated server. From hardware specifications and pricing to data center security and customization options, you want to find a web host that checks off every box on your list. However, some factors you won't want to overlook are web hosting support, technical support, and customer service. The Importance of 24/7 Support Ideally, you'll want to find a hosting company that offers technical support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year. That way, if you need assistance or run into a problem with your hosting, you can get in touch with someone right away to begin working on a resolution. This is especially important if you experience a server issue that prevents visitors from accessing your website. In this situation, available and responsive support can make all the difference. In addition to having reliable support, your hosting company's staff members

Whether your business is run entirely online or simply has an eCommerce component,   having an easy-to-use and reliable website is a must. However, you may not realize how large of a role your web hosting can play in your site's overall speed, reliability, and user experience. A dedicated server for eCommerce provides your website with the stable and speedy hosting it needs in today's competitive online market. By having a better understanding of how a dedicated server can increase your site's revenue, you can make the right hosting decisions moving forward. Improve Your Online Reputation If you've ever been stuck in a long check-out line at your local store, you're probably familiar with the frustration that comes along with this experience. Maybe you've even abandoned your items and left the store altogether. Believe it or not, consumers will make similar decisions when shopping online. If your site has slow-loading pages, customers may

Feeling frustrated by slow page-loading times on your website? If so, then you're probably not alone - your visitors are likely feeling that same frustration. To remedy this issue, the first step you’ll want to take is to inspect your current website hosting plan. If you're not hosting your site on a dedicated server, there's a good chance your page-loading speeds are suffering as a result. When you make the switch to dedicated web hosting, you may be prompted to choose between solid state drive (SSD) and hard disk drive (HDD) storage. The choice you make here is important, as there are significant differences between each. Understanding each option’s inherent benefits and drawbacks can help you make the right choice for your site. How Does SSD Storage Differ from HDD Storage? When your server contains a hard disk drive, information is stored on magnetic disks. When a specific file needs to be

In the market for a dedicated server? Whether you're looking for dedicated server hosting for your website, email server, or even gaming, the process of choosing the exact server configuration that's best for you can be challenging. This is especially true if you're not familiar with dedicated hosting technology or what the many specifications mean. Part of the beauty of opting for a dedicated server is that you can truly personalize your hosting plan. This ensures that you're paying for exactly what you need and nothing more. However, before you get started putting together your ideal dedicated server, there are several specifications to be aware of. CPU As you explore your central processing unit (CPU) options for your dedicated server, you'll find that there are two main brands available – AMD and Intel. For many years, Intel dominated with their processors, but AMD stepped back into the game in 2019. AMD introduced

When choosing a web hosting company, you want to select one that is known for its excellent security features. All too often, however, there is a greater focus on virtual security than on physical protection. In reality, on-site security (that is, physical precautions at your server's data center) is just as important when it comes to protecting your information. As you're exploring your dedicated server hosting options, there are a few key questions worth asking that will help you make a confident choice. 1.     What Redundancies Are in Place? Natural disasters, unexpected power outages, and fires can pose a considerable risk to your server if your data center and hosting company aren't prepared. Therefore, it’s crucial to choose a hosting company that has redundancies and contingency plans in place for these scenarios. From a security standpoint, these precautions can make all the difference. Specifically, your hosting company should offer guarantees for uptime on critical