Are you thinking about getting a shared web hosting plan and wondering, “Is shared hosting safe?”

Shared hosting is where multiple businesses share the resources of a single server, including processing power, memory, and storage, to host their websites. It is suitable for first-timers as it is an inexpensive way to host a website without compromising performance.

Although shared hosting fulfils the basic requirement of businesses—a fully functional website, there are a few limitations with speed and security. Despite the limitations, shared hosting gets the job done pretty well. Therefore, saying that shared hosting is unsafe is taking the argument too far.

This article will give you an insight into some shared web hosting security risks and ways to mitigate them.

Shared Web Hosting Security Risks and Ways to Mitigate Them

1.Shared Directory

Every website has its directory of files, content, and other data, which is generally located in the web server’s directory. In a shared web hosting server, the directory is shared among all the businesses using the server. This means if there’s an attack on the root directory, everyone’s data and content will be at risk.

Solution:   

The best way to tackle this shared web hosting security risk is to install a good website security plugin that encrypts all your data, providing an additional layer of security.

2.Notorious neighbors

Web hosting providers are bound by strict privacy laws that prevent them from disclosing their customer lists. This means that you will be unaware of the businesses that you share the server space with. This becomes extremely problematic if your neighbor has a spammy or illegally run website. Search engines generally block the server that hosts spammy or illegally run websites, leading to downtime or complete shutdown of all websites on the server.

Solution:

The best way to tackle this issue is to opt for a reputable web hosting company like BigRock, which has a track record of providing reliable shared hosting services. Choosing a reputed hosting provider minimizes the risk of your website being taken down. Moreover, it ensures you have prompt and timely support and care in case of an emergency.

3.Slow Loading Time

When a website on your server is hacked, malicious activities like sending unsolicited emails or launching attacks on another website can occur, leading to a compromised site utilizing additional space. This can impact your website’s speed. Additionally, it can lead to your site becoming unresponsive or inaccessible to visitors.

Solution:

You can encrypt all your files and important documents, ensuring that only you have access. You can go to the cPanel of your host account and modify the file permissions.

4.Limited Control

In shared hosting, you have limited control over server configurations and security settings. This means you cannot implement certain security measures that are available in a dedicated hosting environment.

Solution:

To tackle this shared web hosting security risk, choose a reputed hosting provider that offers security features and configurations that align with your needs. You can also communicate with your hosting provider about specific security concerns you have and ask about available security add-ons or plugins to stay protected.

5.Limited Privacy

In shared hosting, you may have limited privacy since your website’s data is on the same server as others. While hosting providers have policies in place to protect your data, there is still a level of shared access.

Solution:

If privacy and data security are paramount to you, consider a more private hosting option like Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting or dedicated hosting.

READ : The Significance of Web Hosting Security: Safeguarding Your Website and Data

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1.What is Shared Hosting?

Shared hosting is a technique of hosting multiple websites or applications on a single server. Simply put, it is like sharing a Taxi instead of calling your own. Shared hosting works on a simple principle—each website has a hosting plan that enables them to share resources like server space, CPU, and RAM with others.

2.What are the Pros and Cons of Shared Hosting?

Here are the benefits of shared hosting:

  • Shared hosting is less expensive than other hosting types like dedicated servers or Virtual Private Server (VPS) because you share the physical server, which helps distribute costs
  • Shared hosting is convenient and practical. That is, you can set up a website from anywhere with ease
  • Shared hosting offers scalability. It gives users the option to buy more bandwidth and storage hassle-free

Here are the limitations of shared hosting:

  • In shared hosting, you don’t have root access to the server. Generally, root access is only available on VPS and dedicated servers
  • You share resources with other websites, which means limited storage space, bandwidth, and CPU power. So, a sudden spike in traffic from neighboring sites can impact your website’s performance

3.Who uses Shared Hosting?

Shared hosting is popular among new website owners and users with little to no technical expertise. Additionally, small or medium-sized website owners also opt for shared hosting. 

4.What is the Cost of Shared Hosting?

The average cost of a shared hosting plan is between ₹99 per month to ₹149 per month, making it the most affordable option.

Final Thoughts

In a shared hosting environment, you coexist with other sites, making it a cost-effective and wise choice when starting.

When selecting a hosting partner, don’t forget to evaluate factors like uptime, bandwidth capacity, and traffic limits. Moreover, also see if the chosen host can accommodate your site’s growth and provide you with options for upgrading your plan.

Begin your online journey with confidence alongside a reliable hosting partner. BigRock offers a wide range of hosting plans tailored to your business needs.