What is Secure Web Hosting and How Does it Work?

Written By: Oplink.net | Last Updated: January 2023

We gathered everything you will need to know about secure web hosting, so that you have all the information at your fingertips. This way, you can decide what type will work best for you. 

We’ll explain what secure hosting is –  the advantages and disadvantages of it – and what the different types of web hosting are.

What is Secure Hosting?

Secure hosting is a form of web hosting that ensures a website is secure from malicious attacks and other forms of cybercrime. 

It typically involves more sophisticated security measures than traditional website hosting, such as firewalls, secure sockets layer (SSL) certificates, and dedicated security teams.

Unfortunately, many businesses tend to overlook security measures until it’s too late. Unsecured websites are easy targets for hackers who seek access to private data, attempt damage or cause financial losses.

By investing in secure hosting, companies can help protect their online presence and customers from the many threats prowling the internet.

What Are the Advantages of Secure Web Hosting?

Secure web hosting offers many advantages to businesses, including greater protection from cyber-attacks, improved security of sensitive information, and enhanced privacy compliance.

Restrict Access to Sensitive Information

Secure hosting can help restrict access to sensitive information, such as customer credit card numbers or personal data.

This is done by using firewalls and other security measures to make sure unauthorized visitors cannot gain access to your website’s data.

Prevent DDoS Attacks

A distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack is when an attacker floods your website with malicious requests to overwhelm the host and take down the site. This can cause significant disruptions to your business and make your website inaccessible. Oplink.net has strong DDoS with attack mitigation up to 100 Gbs.

Secure hosting can help protect against these types of attacks, as servers are monitored for suspicious activity and measures are taken to prevent malicious traffic from reaching the website.

Backup and Restore Lost Data

In today’s digital landscape, data loss incidents are becoming an all-too-common issue for businesses of every size. Whether caused by an accident or malicious attack, data loss can have a high cost for businesses and take significant time to recover from.

According to IBM 2022 Cost of a Data Breach, “For 83% of companies, it’s not if a data breach will happen, but when. Usually more than once. When detecting, responding to and recovering from threats – faster is better.”

Identifying and responding to a data breach quickly can drastically reduce its cost. Secure web hosting allows for this crucial response.

Secure hosting also ensures that any lost data is safely backed up and can be easily restored if necessary. This is especially important for businesses, as data loss could lead to lost customers and revenue.

Find and Remove Malware

Secure hosting can also help you find and remove any malicious software on your website. This includes malware, viruses, and other malicious code that could be used to gain access to data or damage the site’s reputation.

Monitor Downtime

Nobody likes downtime, but if you aren’t monitoring it you’re risking losing customers.

Secure hosting can monitor your website for any downtime, as well as any changes in performance or security. This is important for businesses that rely on their websites to generate revenue, as even a few minutes of downtime could lead to lost customers and sales.

Disaster Recovery

Disaster recovery is an important part of secure web hosting, as it ensures that data can be recovered in the event of a cyber-attack or other unforeseen event. It’s a backup plan that can help businesses get back on their feet if something were to go wrong.

This also helps protect businesses against natural disasters, such as floods and fires, by storing data offsite in secure locations. This means that even if the physical server is destroyed, the data remains safe and accessible to the business.

Data backup and system monitoring are essential components of cybersecurity, ensuring data safety in the event that it is corrupted or breached. Restoring information to its original state when required is also a critical element of this process.

Protect Your Server with SSL Certificates

Secure web hosting can protect your server with SSL certificates, which are digital documents used to verify the identity of a website or other entity and encrypt communications between the two. 

They provide a layer of security by verifying that the website is legitimate and that all data sent back and forth is encrypted.

What Are the Different Types of Secure Web Hosting?

When it comes to reliable and secure web hosting, there are three main options: dedicated hosting, shared hosting, and virtual private server (VPS) hosting.

Shared Versus Dedicated Hosting

Shared Hosting is generally considered a cost-effective option, as multiple websites are hosted on the same server. This can be a riskier form of hosting, however, as it offers less control over security measures.

You may be wondering how to secure shared hosting, and there are a few ways. You can use secure protocols like SSL and SFTP, as well as regularly back up data to ensure that it doesn’t get lost in the event of an attack or disaster.

Dedicated hosting is the most secure option, as it provides dedicated resources for a single website, making it nearly impossible for malicious visitors to access information stored on the server. 

This hosting option is also ideal for businesses that require more control over their servers, such as those that need to manage their own databases or applications.

VPS Compared to Dedicated Servers

Oplink.net provides both dedicated servers and virtual private servers as platforms for hosting. Both offer a secure hosting environment and allow users to customise their sites according to their needs, but there are some differences between the two.

A VPS is a virtual private server that provides users with access to an individual operating system, allowing them to install their own software and applications on the server.

But is VPS hosting secure when compared to having a dedicated server? A VPS host is an economical option for businesses that don’t require a dedicated server, as it provides almost the same level of security and flexibility.

A dedicated server, on the other hand, gives users complete control over their environment as they have exclusive use of the server. This is a great option for businesses that need more control over their hosting environment or those that have large websites with high traffic demands.

Managed Hosting

Managed hosting is a type of secure web hosting that provides users with access to a virtual private server (VPS) with enhanced security measures.

This allows businesses to have more control over their websites, as they can customise the settings and server configurations according to their specific needs. 

With managed hosting, businesses can also take advantage of enhanced security measures, such as firewalls and malware protection, to ensure that their websites remain safe from cyber-attacks.

DDoS Protected Dedicated Server

A DDoS-protected dedicated server is an excellent option for businesses that need more security and control over their hosting environment. This is the most secure type of web hosting. All Oplink.net hosting solutions have DDoS protection.

The biggest advantage of this type of secure web hosting is its ability to protect against distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. These are malicious attempts to overwhelm a website’s server with too much traffic, resulting in the website being inaccessible.

A DDoS-protected dedicated server provides additional layers of protection to help prevent this type of attack, allowing businesses to remain online despite any malicious attempts.

What Should You Look for in a Secure Web Hosting Provider?

When considering a secure web hosting provider, there are several features you should consider.

First and foremost, look for a provider that offers multiple levels of security. This includes firewalls, malware protection, DDoS protection, and strong encryption measures to protect data from unauthorized access.

A reliable web hosting provider should also offer various authentication methods, such as two-factor authentication, to help keep your data secure.

Finally, you should look for a provider that is transparent about the security measures they have in place and provides regular updates on their systems. This will ensure that your hosting needs are met and that your website remains safe from any potential threats.

How Can You Tell If a Web Hosting Company is Secure?

When selecting a hosting provider, make sure to prioritise one that includes an SSL certificate, regular backups, a firewall for added protection from cyber criminals, and DDoS protection.

Additionally, you should be aware of the data storage policies of the web hosting company to ensure that your confidential information is securely stored.

Finally, make sure to research customer reviews and feedback from other companies who have used the web hosting service before selecting one. All of these features are essential elements for ensuring your website is secure and reliable.

Find Secure Web Hosting to Suit Your Needs

For over two decades, Oplink.net has been providing its customers with high-quality web hosting services at an economical price point. 

Located in Houston, Texas, we offer round-the-clock customer service and technical support to ensure that clients always have access to the tools they require for success.

Contact us to learn more about secure web hosting with Oplink.net!