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[Faster Loading Times:]

We're thrilled to share some fantastic news with you! Our cPanel Shared Hosting system has undergone a recent upgrade, bringing you enhanced performance and speed like never before. We've supercharged your web hosting accounts with upgraded processors and NVMe drives, and we can't wait for you to experience the difference.

Here's what you can expect from these upgrades:

• Faster Loading Times: With our new AMD EPYC™ processors and NVMe SSDs, your websites will load lightning-fast. Whether you're running a personal blog, an online store, or a business website, your pages will load smoother and quicker than ever before.
• Improved Memory Performance: Our upgraded memory performance means smoother operation for in-memory databases and server-side caches. This translates to a snappier experience for your visitors and better overall performance for your website.
• Reduced Latency: NVMe SSDs are designed for speed, delivering significantly lower latency compared to regular SSDs. This means faster response times for your website, especially if you're handling a large number of transactions or database queries.

We understand the importance of a fast and reliable website, which is why we're always striving to provide you with the best possible hosting experience. These upgrades represent our commitment to ensuring that your websites perform at their very best, helping you engage with your audience more effectively and grow your online presence with confidence.
So sit back, relax, and enjoy the improved performance of your HostNed web hosting accounts! If you have any questions or need assistance, our support team is here to help.

Thank you for choosing HostNed for your web hosting needs. Here's to even better performance and success for your websites!


Warm regards,
HostNed Team

[Sucuri Security]

In 2024, Wordfence continues to be a solid leader in Wordpress security. Their WAF structure remains second-to-none, however, some users are comfortable using alternatives to Wordfence. Here are a few options to consider:

Yes, there are several other popular WordPress security plugins besides Wordfence that are worth considering:

Sucuri Security

Sucuri is a well-known security company that offers a comprehensive WordPress security plugin. Its key features include:

- Web Application Firewall (WAF) to block malicious traffic
- Malware scanning and removal
- Blacklist monitoring to prevent your site from being blacklisted
- Post-hack security actions like password resets and database repairs

The Sucuri plugin has both a free and premium version.

All In One WP Security & Firewall

This is one of the most popular free WordPress security plugins with over 1 million active installations. It provides:

- Basic firewall rules to block common threats
- Brute force attack protection
- User account security features like 2FA

However, its WAF capabilities are generally considered less robust than Wordfence or Sucuri's premium offerings.

iThemes Security (Better WP Security)

Formerly called Better WP Security, this plugin from iThemes offers a suite of security tools like:

- One-click hardening to tighten WordPress security
- Malware scanning
- Enforcing strong passwords
- Security keys/salts to protect against brute force attacks

NinjaFirewall (BulletProof Security)

NinjaFirewall, previously known as BulletProof Security, is another free plugin that aims to harden WordPress security with features like:

- Web Application Firewall
- Malware scanning
- Login security
- Database backup

- - -
While these plugins offer good security features, most experts still consider Wordfence to have one of the best free WAF solutions for WordPress. Combining it with other hardening best practices can significantly improve your site's security posture.

All of the HostNed Shared Hosting accounts fully support Wordpress and have a one-click installer, along with a "Wordpress Manager" in the hosting control panel that helps automate things like updates, backups, security advice, and much more.

[43.1%]

WordPress continues to be the leading content management system (CMS) in the digital landscape, powering a staggering 43.1% of all websites. This open-source platform has come a long way since its inception in 2003, evolving from a simple blogging tool to a robust CMS that's capable of creating any type of website.

WordPress by the Numbers

The statistics surrounding WordPress are nothing short of impressive:
- Over 455 million websites use WordPress globally.
- It holds a 64.1% share of the CMS market, making its market share ten times larger than the next closest CMS.
- WordPress sites receive over 20 billion page views each month.
- Users publish approximately 41.7 million new posts and 70 million new comments each month.
- The platform is also a polyglot, available in more than 200 languages.

These numbers highlight the platform's widespread adoption and the trust that millions of users place in WordPress for their web presence.

Why WordPress Reigns Supreme

There are several reasons why WordPress has maintained its position as the go-to choice for web designers and developers:

Ease of Use

WordPress is renowned for its user-friendly interface, which is intuitive enough for beginners yet powerful enough for seasoned developers. The Gutenberg editor, with its 'block' approach to content, makes site building and content management accessible to all.

Extensibility

With over 58,250 plugins available, WordPress allows users to extend the functionality of their sites in almost limitless ways. From SEO to social media integration, e-commerce solutions, and beyond, there's a plugin for nearly every need.

Community and Support

The WordPress community is one of the largest and most active in the tech world, with 1,074 WordCamps held so far and a vast number of online resources, forums, and groups dedicated to WordPress development and troubleshooting.

Regular Updates

WordPress is continuously updated with new features, bug fixes, and security enhancements, ensuring that websites remain secure and on the cutting edge of web technology.

HostNed's One-Click WordPress Installation

For those looking to start a WordPress site, HostNed makes it incredibly easy. All of HostNed's shared hosting accounts include a one-click install option for WordPress, available through both cPanel and Plesk control panels. This feature simplifies the process of setting up WordPress, allowing users to launch their website quickly and without the need for technical expertise.

Whether you're a blogger, a small business owner, or managing a large e-commerce site, WordPress's flexibility, combined with HostNed's hosting solutions, provides a powerful and accessible platform for creating a professional online presence.

All-in-all WordPress's extensive features, ease of use, and the strong community have cemented its status as the premier choice for web development. With HostNed's support, launching a WordPress site is more straightforward than ever, making it an ideal solution for users of all skill levels.

[Linux servers are becoming increasingly popular due to their reliability, security, and cost-effectiveness.]

Here at HostNed, we ended our offerings of Windows-based web servers years ago. When we did so, our Windows Server-based customers were migrated to Linux servers, and the results were overwhelmingly positive.

Linux servers are becoming increasingly popular due to their reliability, security, and cost-effectiveness. With the rise of cloud computing, many businesses are turning to Linux servers and Linux-based web hosting services for their IT infrastructure needs. Here are some reasons why many people prefer Linux servers over Windows servers:

1. Reliability: Linux servers are known for their stability and uptime. They have a reputation for being more reliable than Windows servers, which can be prone to crashes and downtime.
2. Security: Linux servers are often considered more secure than Windows servers due to their open-source nature. This means that there is less risk of security vulnerabilities and malware attacks.
3. Cost-effectiveness: Linux servers are generally cheaper than Windows servers, as they do not require licensing fees or expensive software updates.
4. Customizability: Linux servers can be customized to meet specific business needs, whereas Windows servers may have limited customization options.
5. Community support: The Linux community is large and active, providing extensive documentation and resources for troubleshooting and problem-solving. This makes it easier for businesses to find help when they need it.

Industry-wide, many people are choosing Linux servers over Windows servers due to their reliability, security, cost-effectiveness, customizability, and community support.

We still have new customers coming on board with us who are migrating their websites to our Linux-based services, either cPanel or Plesk). Unless you are a rare user who requires ASP.net technology, migrations are very successful, but there are some factors that may arise that you need to be aware of.

When migrating web pages from an IIS server (Windows) to an Apache server (Linux), there are some differences in the way that Linux servers handle case-sensitivity. Here are a few key points to consider:

1. File names: In Windows, file names are case-sensitive, meaning that a file named "index.html" will be treated as different from a file named "index.htm". However, in Linux, file names are not case-sensitive, so both files will be treated as the same.
2. URL rewriting: In Windows, URL rewriting is typically done using .htaccess files or server-side scripting languages like PHP or ASP.NET. In Linux, URL rewriting can be done using mod_rewrite, a built-in module for Apache servers. However, this requires some knowledge of the Linux command line and may not be as easy to set up as it is in Windows.
3. Paths: In Windows, file paths are case-sensitive, meaning that a directory named "C:\Program Files" will be treated differently from a directory named "c:\program files". However, in Linux, file paths are not case-sensitive, so both directories will be treated as the same.
4. Permissions: In Windows, permissions are set using NTFS or ACLs, which can be more difficult to manage than in Linux. In Linux, permissions are set using chmod and chown commands, which are easier to use but may require some knowledge of Linux command line.

Sometimes, migrating web pages from an IIS server (Windows) to an Apache server (Linux) can pose a challenge due to the differences in how file names, URLs, paths, permissions, and other aspects are handled. However, we are here to help you make the transition successfully.

Here at HostNed, we offer a technology called mod_speling to help with these differences when migrating websites. Upon request we can activate mod_speling on your domain. This will make your Linux domain respond to your links and URL requests in a way that is very similar to how Windows handled them, making things more case-insensitive. That way you can keep your current code intact without having to rename files and make all the changes to you code.

Want to enable it yourself? Just find the file named .htaccess in your html root (/public_html or /httpdocs) and add this code to the top of the file and save the change:

Code Select Expand

<IfModule mod_speling.c>
    CheckCaseOnly on
    CheckSpelling on
</IfModule>

How cool is that! 

[PHP 7.4 reached EOL]

This is an announcement for all Web Hosting customers. It is time again for PHP upgrades.

PHP 7.4 reached EOL

It is highly recommended that you upgrade your PHP version. In the near future, technicians as well as automated systems will be upgrading accounts periodically, however, we highly recommend you upgrade your PHP version yourself if you are using version 7.4 or lesser.

Ensure your PHP scripts are up-to-date

The new version 8.x comes with some degree of incompatibility with some older code. Our techs and systems cannot know for sure if your PHP scripts are compatible with the new versions, so have your software developer check into that for you. Some code syntax that works properly on older versions may not work with 8.x and may display error or warning messages. If you do continue to use the older version in the meantime, you will be susceptible to any remaining bugs or security issues.

For more information, read PHP EOL Documentation.

[Windows-based hosting with Plesk at DomainsNed]

HostNed has said goodbye to Windows-based hosting. Although it is no longer offered, it is still available and fully supported at DomainsNed. Windows web hosting is perfect for those who use ASP.NET, ASP or Microsoft SQL Server technologies.

Windows-based hosting with Plesk at DomainsNed

Wishing everyone a very happy and prosperous new year!

SEO (by our partner DomainsNed)

Our SEO tool analyzes your website and gives you step-by-step instructions on how you can optimize for Google®, Yahoo® and Bing®. All it takes is a few clicks, and then you can get back to business.

Bring more traffic to your website with Search Engine Optimization.

• Search Optimization: Improve search engine rankings with keyword and suggested topics tool
• Keyword suggestions: Get personalized phrases and words to add to increase traffic to your website and help it rank better
• Tracking your ranking: Track the progress of your website's rank on Google over time
• Create your sitemap: Customize, create and submit a site map to aid search engines in crawling your site

More info:
SEO Tool From DomainsNed

[Forcing HTTPS on All Website Traffic]

Forcing HTTPS on All Website Traffic

HTTPS is the new standard in secure online connections for web pages. It ensures that connections are not being intercepted and instills confidence for your visitors.

When you enable HTTPS on your web site using an installed SSL certificate, you may still be able to load your pages using the traditional non-HTTPS connections, so to get things as secure as possible, it is recommended to enable https:// connections all the time. It is a good idea to enable this unless there is something that will not work in https mode for some reason. cPanel calls this "Force HTTPS redirect. You can find that setting under DOMAINS in your cPanel area. This is available for your main domain name only, so to force HTTPS connections on your subdomains and/or add-on domains, you can do that by adding some code to your .htaccess file.

Here is how to use the .htaccess file to force HTTPS redirects:

Go to File Manager in cPanel (or Plesk) and find .htaccess inside the public_html folder. Be sure to make a backup copy first just in case something goes wrong. If you can't find it, make sure to unhide hidden files in the settings.
Scroll down to find RewriteEngine On and insert the following lines of code below it:

Code Select Expand

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]

Save the changes.
Important! Make sure that the line RewriteEngine On is not repeated twice. In case the line already exists, simply copy the rest of the code without it.

Force HTTPS on a Specific Domain Only
Let's say that you have two domains: http://yourdomain1.com and http://yourdomain2.com. Both domains access the same website, but you only want the first one to be redirected to the HTTPS version. In this case, you need to use the following code:

Code Select Expand

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^yourdomain1.com [NC]
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [R=301,L]

Make sure to replace yourdomain1 with the actual domain you're trying to force HTTPS on.

Forcing HTTPS on a Specific Folder
The .htaccess file can also be used to force HTTPS on specific folders only. However, the .htaccess file should be placed inside the folder that will have the HTTPS connection.

Code Select Expand

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(folder1|folder2|folder3) https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [R=301,L]

After making the changes, clear your browser's cache and try to connect to your site via HTTP. If everything was added correctly, the browser will automatically redirect you to the HTTPS version.

Even though your connections are now being automatically redirected to HTTPS. you may want to update your links in your website code to the new updated https:// address for best practice.

[Big changes are coming to HostNed!]

Big changes are coming to HostNed!

• BIGGER Value
• BIGGER Assistance
• BIGGER Performance
• more SECURITY
• more FUTURE-PROOF
• more PRODUCTIVITY

Starting 1/1/2021 HostNed becomes partners closer with DomainsNed and other leaders in cloud computing. Get ahead of the game by upgrading today!

Since 2000, HostNed.com has taken the lead in customized, affordable hosting solutions for small business and personal web hosting. More details to come!


*In association with DomainsNed.com, Secureserver, Godaddy & cPanel

I manage many different websites that use WordPress and I find that the very best thing I can do for security is to install the WordFence plugin. It is a real WAF (Web Application Firewall) that works in the background to help prevent malicious activity on your website.

Do you use this or something different for WP security?

[Here is how to get started:]

As promised, your favorite web host now accepts Bitcoin as well as a variety of crypto-currencies.

Are you ready to participate?

Here is how to get started:

• Purchase a new service from HostNed, or for current customers, Log In to your account backend at myHostNed
• Click on Billing -> Edit Payment Method and select "Coinpayments (Crypto)"
• Click the button "Update Payment Method" at the bottom

That's it. You are now a part of a revolution. 

Special thanks to ClientExec for the integration and for CoinPayments for their great service.

#keywords = web host accepts bitcoin, hosting pay with crypto, bitcoin host, litecoin, monero, etherium, payments, webhosting

[Recommended Email Marketing Services]

Our hosting services are optimized for websites and email for daily use. To keep our services clean and spam-free, we limit the number of emails that your account can send per hour. Although this makes a great environment for most, it is not designed for mass mailings and email marketing campaigns.


Recommended Email Marketing Services:

• DomainsNed Email Marketing
• MailChimp Email Marketing

[Connect to your Web Presence Builder (WPB)]

Connect to your Web Presence Builder (WPB)

Your WPB is available at the following URL.
https://p5.ssl1.us:8443/

Once logged in, click the EDIT WEBSITE button. I suggest running backups frequently prior to performing changes, just to be safe.
Once published, you will need to refresh the browser to see the new changes.

Please be advised that since you are using the SiteBuilder, it is not recommended to use FTP or File Manager to edit files as doing so could overwrite files that are vital to keep the SiteBuilder functioning properly.

We no longer support FPSE (Frontpage Server Extensions) as they are a very old and expired technology that has been abandoned by Microsoft.

Alternatives are:

- Wordpress or other CMS
- Parallels Web Presence Builder (SiteBuilder)
- File Manager (cPanel or Plesk)

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