Every website on the internet needs to be safe and secure. If you’re someone who is starting their online website journey, shared hosting usually offers a cost-effective and easy-to-use solution.

But having said that, with the guaranteed benefits of affordability and convenience, shared hosting also comes with its own distinct security concerns. So, what is shared hosting? Assume a large apartment where every tenant shares the apartment’s resources like water, electricity, parking, and other amenities.

Cpanel web hosting is very similar, where several websites share the server resources of a single physical server. This shared platform is affordable, but your website’s security can be compromised by the activities of other websites residing on a similar server.

This blog aims to explore shared hosting security and web hosting charges are analyze the innate safety concerns, providing best practices to enhance your website’s security on a shared server. These insights will help you make well-informed decisions, maintain your website’s reliability, and gain the trust of your visitors.

Unveiling potential security issues in shared hosting

Shared web hosting is a hosting solution where several websites share a similar physical server along with its resources. Even if shared hosting is an economical hosting solution, there’s a possibility that it might cause security risks compared to other web hosting solutions like VPS and dedicated servers.

• Website cross-contamination

Website cross-contamination is a crucial security threat in a shared hosting environment. It occurs when viruses or malware spread from one website to another present on the same server. This can arise because of vulnerabilities in the server’s operating system, server software, or other software present on the server.

Once malware affects one website, it could spread to another website on a similar server, which might compromise all of them. 

• Single Point of Failure (SPOF)

Another security concern with shared hosting is SPOF, i.e., single point of failure. Because several websites reside on a similar physical server and share the same server and its resources, if the web server is compromised, all the websites residing on that server can be affected.

This can happen for several reasons, including security vulnerabilities in the web server software, an incorrect configuration, or an attacker trying to exploit a password.

• Restricted Control

Shared hosting services also provide restricted control over the server platform. It may not be feasible to install a specific software or set up the server in a particular way. This could restrict the website owner’s capability to protect their website and avoid safety breaches.

• Insecure User Behavior

It is another crucial security concern with shared hosting services. As several users can access the same physical server, one user’s insecure behavior can impact other users on a similar server.

For instance, if one user uses a weak password, it could damage the security of all other websites on a similar server.

Essential security practices for shared hosting

To ensure the security of your website, take several precautions:

• Keep your website’s software up to date

It is important to keep your website’s software up to date because outdated software can carry security vulnerabilities. Ensure that different things, such as your content management system, plugins, themes, and much more, are all up to date with the latest updates or security patches.

• Use strong passwords and 2FA

Use strong and unique passwords for all your accounts, including your hosting account, file transfer account, and database accounts. Also, think about enabling 2FA (two-factor authentication) for added security.

• Regularly backup your data

Backup your data regularly and store it off-site. In case of any attack, you’ll have something to fall back on, minimizing the number of downtimes your website might experience.

• Set File and Directory Permissions

Set suitable permissions across all your files and directories to avoid any unauthorized access.

• Use SSL Certificates

Secure your website using an SSL certificate to protect sensitive data, like login credentials or credit or debit card numbers.

• Use security plugins and tools

Making use of security plugins and tools is another method to improve your shared website security. 

• Other security tools

You can use other security tools, like anti-malware software, web application firewalls (WAF), and vulnerability scanners, that can help you secure your website from security threats.

• Regularly monitor your site

Regularly monitor your site for security threats, as it is important for website security. Security plugins can send alerts for suspicious actions, whereas log files can also be reviewed for signs of malicious attempts.

What should you do if your shared hosting security is compromised?

Even after following the aforementioned best security measures, there’s always a chance that your shared hosting account can be compromised. If you think that your site has been compromised, hacked, or infected with malware, here are the important steps you must take:

• Isolate your website

If you think your site has been hacked, immediately take it offline. It’ll help in avoiding further damage and keeping your website’s visitors safe.

• Change all passwords

Modify all the passwords related to your website, together with your hosting account, CMS, and any other user account. Make use of strong and unique passwords that are not easy to guess.

• Regularly Scan your website for malware

Using an anti-malware tool, scan your website regularly for malware or viruses. If you find any malware, remove it immediately.

• Restore from a backup

Restore your most recent backup to a clean server. It’ll help you remove any malware or viruses that may have infected your website.

• Update all software and plugins

Once you restore your website, ensure to update all software and plugins to their newest versions to prevent any potential security breaches.

• Contact your shared hosting provider

If you suspect that your web hosting account has been compromised, contact your shared hosting provider immediately. They can help you further delve into the issue and take the required steps to avoid potential breaches.

• Inform your users

If your website gathers customer data, like login credentials or personal information, inform them about the security breach and advise them to modify their passwords.

Conclusion

Having a highly secure website is advantageous for your brand image. It assures high user satisfaction. When using shared hosting, it is crucial to follow the best security practices. This will help you safeguard your website from potential attacks.

In this blog, we discussed some of the most important practices to improve your website’s security in a shared environment. By using strong passwords, you can protect your data. Additionally, with SSL certificates and appropriate server monitoring tools, you can avoid the chances of security threats.

If you regularly back up your data, then it’ll result in a smooth-running website, even during an emergency. So, always follow these practices to prevent unauthorized access to your website. Always remember that security isn’t a one-time task but a continuous process.

By staying cautious and aware of threats, you can easily steer clear of the security landscape of shared web hosting. If you still have any doubts, please leave them in the comments section below. We’re happy to help you!

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