Let’s be honest- what are the most common factors you look at on a web hosting service provider for your online website? Most probably, the answer would be an affordable range and more features. However, one of the most important factors we miss out on is the security of your website.

With the passing of time, the cyber security concern is increasing. No doubt most of the security issues come due to web security gaps. And that is why you need to choose a responsible web hosting provider for your online business.

In this article, we will discuss how website hosting affects the security of websites and how you can secure your online business. Also, you will understand the actual difference between website hosting and a web host. Read on to know more!

What Is Website Hosting?

Website hosting enables a person to publish a web application or website over the internet. It’s an online service where you sign up for a website hosting service. Here, basically, you pay for the space available on a physical server. You can save all the data and files important for a website to work effectively.

There are usually 4 types of web hosting; 

1. Cloud Hosting

Cloud hosting solutions use virtual servers to host sites. Therefore, when one server has any problem or high traffic, the rest of the servers will manage the website operations. This hosting depends on a set of servers for functioning. 

2. Shared hosting

It is the most common and affordable hosting for entrepreneurs. In this, numerous users share one server resource: processing power, storage space, and memory.

Also, it is known as a great choice for startups and personal websites. If your website doesn’t need higher bandwidth and advanced configuration, you can opt for this.

3. VPS

In this, a website shares a server with another website, too; however, the host makes a virtual partition for every user. So, the websites hosted on VPS get an allocated amount of resources.

This hosting is the right choice for eCommerce shops, large blogs, and medium-sized sites having growing visitor numbers.

4. Dedicated server 

In dedicated hosting, every website has a physical server. That is why it allows you to select your desired software or operating system, customize the whole hosting as per specifications, and configure the server.

This hosting is suitable for huge businesses that manage traffic. Also, here users will get professional support and added benefits from a web host.

What Is A Web Host?

A web host offers the resources and technology needed to secure and effectively operate any website. The host has the important responsibility like;

• Using security measures
• Make sure data like files, photos, and text are successfully transferred to guests on a website.
• They help to keep website servers up.

4 Ways A Website Hosting Affects Website Security

As you have read, users have many options to choose a suitable hosting plan, but the most popular are two. Most website users prefer a managed hosting plan and a shared hosting plan. It is because a shared hosting plan is affordable, and a managed hosting plan provides customized services. Also, the paid plans offer Google Suite access to the website owners. 

By concerning safety, Google Suite provides you access to all users in your organization. It means you can always have an eye on incoming and outgoing messages from your team. It also decreases the chances of sharing the company’s confidential data.

Well, choosing the wrong web hosting plan or provider can affect the website security in many ways, followed below.

1. Malware scanning

Some web hosting providers allow malware scanning with managed hosting plans. Here, scanning accuracy and efficiency vary from one hosting provider to another.  

All the companies can’t find whether malware is hidden within a website or not. That is why you have to spend your money on a service provider who has experts and an experienced team.

Moreover, you can download efficient security software that analyzes your website regularly. Also, the software must identify the complex malware present on a website. If you find a security software like this, then you enhance your website safety.

2. Firewall protection

Undoubtedly, a website firewall is a major and primary security concern. Your website will not have a firewall if you don’t spend on the right plan.

Well, managed hosting plan providers make a firewall of network-level available to their clients. And those network firewalls are important security measures that filter the requests coming to a website. This will not let anyone get unauthorized access to a website. So, choose a web host that secures your website from malicious requests and virus attacks. After all, these elements thoroughly affect a website’s security. 

3. Backup options

For the security of your website, backup is the most preferred and the best choice by users. Also, it’s the major factor to consider for the security of a website.

If your website has experienced many hacking issues and you can’t lose all your files or documents, then backup is the choice. It means you need to do a regular and frequent based backup which saves your website from security issues.

Specific web hosting providers offer backup benefits, whereas your backups will be concerned if the web host servers are attacked. That is why the topmost method for securing is backups data on another external server

4. Core file access 

Your website host may offer to lock the WordPress core. It will prevent users from messing up with your website. But remember, this option restricts website owners too; you will not be able to make changes on your website.

If you need any changes, you need to connect with the web hosting provider or company. The providers take this measure for offering high security to a website. Furthermore, it makes website management very inconvenient.

The Role Or A Website Owner 

A website owner can also take some important steps to enhance their web security. Also, it ensures that you are doing the right practices to secure your online business.

Here the first step is knowing how a website hosting service provider secures its own infrastructure.

More or less, a website owner is responsible for the security of their customers, process, and infrastructure. A website hosting provider is equipped with many security practices, which are main to minimize the error chances. Furthermore, these practices are for security purposes and can’t be available to a layman.

The hosting providers also undergo compliances and certifications which assure a specific security standard. The certifications include SOC 2, PCI-DSS, or ISO 270001. The impartial authority can allot this certificate to students who have completed the course.

Once you are aware of these things, now can choose the right hosting provider and hosting plan for your website. Whenever you seek a hosting provider, choose someone who has a certificate. The certification of a web host will be another reason to rely on them.

Final Words  

The worst nightmares of a website owner are data loss from their website or a website hacking issue. Isn’t it? So, a web hosting provider works on various security aspects to save your website from external threats.

You can’t leave the security element of your website in anybody’s hands. So, have a quick check on things that web hosts must-have for better security and safeguards. Moreover, as a website owner, it’s your responsibility to make visitors feel safe while surfing your website. All this can be done when you choose the right web hosting service provider.