Web Hosting

When I signed up for my first dedicated server three years ago, my provider handed out IPs as if they grew on trees. Just for signing up, I received 5 and was allowed unlimited add-on addresses. At one point, I had around 12 IPs on one box. Many hosts have …

In an attempt to provide better service, some hosts have returned to the old model of providing phone support as a substitute for the more common online ticket system. It’s great to see technical assistance being provided the old-fashioned way again, but this luxury usually comes at an added cost. …

In a previous post, I explained a couple methods of exporting MySQL databases. Today, we will do just the opposite: import a mysql database. As with the previous example, you may use either phpMyAdmin, your web hosting company’s custom control panel interface (if available), or the Linux command line, if …

When it works perfectly, PHP is the best thing since sliced bread. When something goes wrong, however, PHP can be real pain. Many of PHP’s settings may not be apparent to you, especially if you only have a shared hosting account and did not install and configure it. PHPInfo is …

Question: I have a virtual private server (or dedicated server) with lots of files from numerous websites. How can I keep my files indexed and search for them whenever I need them? Answer: There are two tools that make searching for files in Linux easy: locate and slocate. The only …

Question: My dedicated server is running ModSecurity, but one of the websites needs it turned off in order to operate correctly. How do I turn it off for just one site? Answer: Before you proceed, keep in mind the reason you have ModSecurity installed in the first place. It is …

Question: I noticed other websites have flashy 404 Not Found pages instead of the standard boring Apache page. How do I create my own custom error documents? Answer: Creating your own error documents is easier than you think. Just follow these simple steps. 1. Design your pages the way you …

Question: Google flagged my website as containing malicious code. What can I do to fix it? Answer: Many people assume that they have a security breach in their server if Google flags them. While this is sometimes true, it is often a much easier problem to fix. If you are …

In an effort to sign up customers, web hosts these days offer an array of freebies with their plans. One common inclusion is a What-You- See-Is-What-You-Get (WYSIWYG) editor. These tools promise to create professional-looking websites for users with no HTML knowledge, but more often than not, are a waste of …

In the busy world we live in, it’s impossible for most people to monitor their sites 24/7. But tracking your site’s speed and uptime throughout the day is critical. Thankfully, you can use an uptime monitor to track the availability of any URL. Most uptime trackers charge a small fee …