Security

Web Hosting and Data Security: Things to Know

Certain things require the most significant attention when it comes to websites. The most important is “data security.” In the world where we live, the Internet has revolutionized the way we interact with people and do business. However, the Internet is not perfect and, as you may already know, cybercrime is one of the greatest threats we face.

Things haven’t improved in recent years. So, as we said, security is a big issue, and the hosting service you choose will depend on it.

The need for security in web hosting

The Internet is borderless, and anyone can access anything. It is what makes the Internet so exciting and dangerous at the same time. This very open structure makes websites vulnerable to all kinds of security threats, with data breaches being the most significant.

The colossal amount of money is traded every day on the Internet, which means hackers are targeting the most vulnerable sites. You can be sure that once a site is identified as vulnerable, hackers will cross it in no time.

Thus, it becomes a prerogative for website operators and owners to provide the best possible security and this means choosing a reliable web hosting service.

What to look for in a secure web host?

So, what should we prioritize in are we looking for in a web hosting service in terms of security?

Well, here are a few things:

  • Backup: Does the hosting service offer data backups? Data backup is vital and must be performed regularly. The objective is to ensure that all your data is available even in the event of a security problem. Of course, the data backup can be done on your side. However, it is always useful to have this option when your hosting provider provides it. If so, try to conduct further assessments on the type of data backup systems they use, where the data is stored and how often they are performed.
  • SFTP: When you upload files to your hosting account, you work with what is called FTP or File Transfer Protocol. However, there is a protocol called SFTP or Secure File Transfer Protocol, which, as you may have realized, offers a safer way to do the same. SFTP provides an additional security layer, which is not available with FTP. Of course, this does not mean that FTP lacks security. It offers safety, but not the one you find with SFTP.
  • Server support: Your hosting provider must ensure that the server is regularly updated to not only operate efficiently but also to ensure that it provides sufficient security. Find out if your supplier offers a published security protocol that lets you know if you have the latest updates/patches.
  • SSL: Finally, look for SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certificates. It is the most fundamental component of security, and your hosting provider must offer it. SSL encrypts data transferred from one system to another, preventing other systems in the network from seeing or accessing it. In other words, only the sender and the recipient have access to the data.

 We hope you enjoyed reading this article!