If you take online gaming seriously, you're probably familiar with the popular platform, Steam. This third-party, cloud-based gaming library gives you easy access to game downloads as soon as they become available. From top-rated gaming developers to indie game designers, you can find just about any game imaginable on the Steam platform. With more people using dedicated servers for gaming, however, one common question we get here at ReliableSite is whether or not Steam can be used on a dedicated server. The simple answer is "yes," but there are a few things you should know before you get started. Let’s take a look! Benefits of Using Steam on a Dedicated Server There are many reasons to start using Steam on a dedicated gaming server if you're not already doing so. For starters, having a dedicated hosting plan will help you take your online gaming experience to new levels regardless of

These days, keeping information safe online is a greater challenge than ever. Security risks seem to lurk around every corner of the web – and even some of the most seemingly "secure" websites have been compromised by online attacks. If there’s one field that faces an even higher than usual risk when it comes to data breaches and other security concerns, however, it's the healthcare industry. This is especially true during these unprecedented times when healthcare offices are handling high volumes of sensitive patient data. Healthcare Industry Special Considerations and Risks With the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic and flu season converging simultaneously, it's no wonder that data security is an even bigger concern among healthcare professionals. Combine this with laws and regulations like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and it's easy to see why so many medical offices are under additional strain this year. Not only are healthcare

Downtime is every website owner's worst nightmare. Unfortunately, it can happen to the best of us – and it never occurs at a "convenient" time. Unexpected site downtime can not only cost your business thousands of dollars (or more), but it could also tarnish your reputation. By knowing how to handle downtime when it occurs, you can minimize the impact it has on your site or business. 1. Confirm the Outage If a regular user has alerted you of the downtime, it's always best to confirm for yourself that your site is down. Check out the issue on your own and ask a few other people you trust to visit your website and see if it loads. 2. Determine the Cause Once you've confirmed that your site is actually down, it's time to get to work determining the cause. There are many potential sources of website downtime, ranging from a

With more than 126 million users across the globe, Minecraft remains one of the most popular multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs). However, if you've ever tried to play Minecraft over your home internet connection, you've probably experienced just how frustrating lag and other connectivity issues can be. Fortunately, you always have the option of switching to a dedicated server for gaming, which you can use exclusively to host your Minecraft world. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the many benefits of having a dedicated Minecraft server – and consider bringing your gaming experience to the next level! 1. Control User Access When you have your own dedicated server host, you also have total control over who can access your Minecraft world. This makes it possible to pick and choose which players are able to take part in your game, whether you want to keep it limited to just a

If you've spent time shopping for hosting plans, you've likely realized that there are many options available. So, how can you know which is best for you? Two of the more popular types of web hosting in use today are dedicated hosting and semi-dedicated hosting. By having a better understanding of how these plans differ, you can select an option that meets your needs. What Is Semi-Dedicated Hosting? A semi-dedicated server is also commonly referred to as a virtual dedicated server (VDS) or a virtual private server (VPS). With this type of hosting, a single server is essentially divided into segments that are shared by any number of users. This segmenting of a single server into many different ones is often done through the use of specialized software known as hypervisors. What Is Dedicated Hosting? With a fully dedicated server, on the other hand, a single server is allocated for

Do you want to start a web hosting company? If so, there are several steps you'll need to take before you can begin. From defining your brand to finding clients, offering web hosting services isn't something you'll start doing overnight. One of the most important steps you'll need to take is to find a dedicated hosting partner company. This will allow you to utilize third-party dedicated servers and hardware to offer branded hosting services to your clients. So, what should you be looking for in a partner hosting company? Read on to explore some helpful tips and tricks to navigate this vital step in starting your own web hosting business! Why Dependability Matters Perhaps the most important aspect to consider when selecting a partner company to trust with your web hosting services is dependability. Clients will expect their hosting to be reliable, as even a few minutes of downtime can have devastating consequences

If you're serious about your online gaming and are not yet utilizing a dedicated gaming server, you could be missing out. Unfortunately, many gamers rely on their home's internet connection and end up experiencing lag and other issues that can sour their experiences. If you’re looking to take your gaming to the next level, consider just a few of the many benefits of upgrading to a dedicated server: Faster Performance When you connect to a dedicated server for your gaming needs, all of your server's resources are being used to maximize your performance. The same can’t be said when you're connected to your home's basic internet connection and sharing resources (including bandwidth and processing speed) with other devices and users. Less Lag and Latency Have you ever been frustrated by unexpected lag while you're playing a game? If so, then you know how much this can affect your gaming experience – especially

Internet of Things (IoT) devices have become extremely popular over the last several years. From personal assistants to wearables and everything in between, these gadgets are designed to make our lives easier in a number of ways. Unfortunately, they can also be prone to some serious security vulnerabilities that may put your personal information at risk. By being aware of these threats and what some of the most vulnerable IoT devices are, you can take the steps you need to keep your data safe. Common IoT Security Risks Whether you're using IoT devices at your place of business, home, or both, there are some inherent risks to know of. In corporate settings, IoT products are often not protected in the same way that larger network devices are. As a result, the network management and security tools your business has in place may not apply – which could mean that your

Online gaming has become increasingly popular over the years, especially as gaming technology has evolved. Today, people of all ages can find options that they enjoy, from games like Minecraft for creative minds to Call of Duty for action lovers. There's truly something for everyone! Unfortunately, gaming cybersecurity threats have also become an increasingly serious problem. So, what steps can you take to protect yourself and your personal information while you're gaming? Here are five essential tips for cybersecurity for gaming: Use Strong Passwords A secure password is an excellent line of defense against online attacks to your account, and you should plan to update your login information every few months. When creating your password, it’s essential to ensure it can’t be guessed by hackers. Ideally, your password should consist of a string of random letters, numbers, and special characters (if allowed) that would be nearly impossible for a person to think of. Likewise, you should

In September 2020, Cynet released an in-depth report on their findings regarding the impact COVID-19 (Coronavirus) has had on cybersecurity thus far. Some of the findings weren't much of a surprise; for example, it wasn't unexpected that hackers would exploit the pandemic as a means of carrying out cyber-attacks. However, there were some interesting discoveries that both consumers and business owners with an online presence should be aware of. This includes information related to an increase in attacks among certain industries and malware attacks carried out through a method known as spear phishing. Meanwhile, the Cynet report also identified an increase in new attack methods, which is troubling. Below, we’re taking a closer look at Cynet’s findings and what you can learn from them. Increases in Industry-Specific Attacks While there has been an uptick in attacks across all industries, the reality is that some sectors seem to be getting hit harder than others in