11

Dec

2012

Tips for Better VPS Security

News ,

So you just got yourself a new SEO Hosting VPS but now the question is, “How do I make it more secure?”. When running a VPS you need to protect your server against various security attacks which may harm or even destroy your data.

Here are a few basic VPS security tips:

1. Keep Your Software Up-To-Date – This is one of the most important tasks of securing your server. Everyday, numerous vulnerabilities are found in various applications, services and scripts so installing the latest updates on your server is crucial and strongly recommended.

2. Disable Remote Root Logins – Your service provider will most likely give you a root account to start but you do not need to login as root every time you access your server. You should, instead, create a separate user account that can escalate to root when necessary. Disable root logins in your SSH settings to add security.

3. Enforce and Use Strong Secure Passwords – Passwords are the first line of defense for your server but they are often the weakest links in server security. You should require any users to use secure passwords and change them regularly as well as create strong passwords.

4. Use a Secure File Transfer Method – If you think FTP is secure then you would be wrong, FTP is not secure. If you have sensitive data or even if you just want to protect your password, you should use your encrypted SSH login. SFTP is one method you can use.

5. Use Correct File and Directory Permissions – There are 3 types of access permissions: read, write and execute and they are available for three different categories of users: owner, group and others. With these permissions you can determine who can access or modify the files. You should ensure that all files and directories have the correct permissions since this is important for server security

6. Backup Everything – If there is any chance that you will need something, you should have a backup for it. Routine, off-site, automated backups will ensure that if something ever goes wrong with your VPS, you can easily recover.

7. Remove Inactive Accounts – If certain user accounts are no longer being used or have not been used for a long time then they are potential security risks for your server. Since no one is using them they can be compromised and possibly used to harm your server or other servers on the network.

28

Mar

2012

SEOhosting.co.uk to Sponsor the Drinks Reception at the 2012 European Search Awards

News ,

SEOhosting.co.uk will be sponsoring the drinks reception at the 2012 European Search Awards that will be hosted in  Amsterdam on the evening of Thursday July, 5 2012.

The European Search awards have been set up in response to the success UK Search Awards that was hosted in November 2011, in which SEOhosting was the sponsor for “Best SEO Campaign Category”.

Don’t Panic in association with Manual Link Building, SEMPO and SEOhosting are sponsoring the European Search Awards, an international competition to acknowledge the very best in SEO, PPC and digital marketing from across Europe.

There are 17 different categories that may can entered:

  • Best SEO Campaign

Recognition of a campaign that has achieved outstanding results in search engines in natural, free or organic listings

  • Best PPC Campaign

Recognition of a campaign that has achieved outstanding results through PPC advertising

  • Best Integrated Campaign

Recognition of a campaign that has achieved outstanding results through an integrated campaign using a variety of both online and offline activity

  • Best Local Campaign

Recognition of a campaign based around a specific geographical location that has delivered outstanding results or visibility in search engines

  • Best Mobile Campaign

Recognition of a campaign that has successfully enhanced the visibility of a website or web page in mobile search engines

  • Best use of Search – Retail

Recognition of a campaign that has successfully enhanced the visibility of a website or web page in the retail sector

  • Best use of Search – Finance

Recognition of a campaign that has successfully enhanced the visibility of a website or web page in the finance sector

  • Best use of Search – Travel

Recognition of a campaign that has successfully enhanced the visibility of a website or web page in the travel sector

  • Best use of Search – Gaming

Recognition of a campaign that has successfully enhanced the visibility of a website or web page in the gaming sector

  • Best use of Search – Leisure

Recognition of a campaign that has successfully enhanced the visibility of a website or web page in the leisure sector

  • Best Blog

Recognition of an outstanding industry blog

  • Innovation

Recognition of search innovation in the development or use of a campaign or platform

  • Best PPC Management Software

Recognition of the development of an outstanding management software package that successfully manages and enhances pay per click marketing campaigns

  • Best SEO Software

Recognition of the development of an outstanding software tool that successfully manages and enhances an organisation’s search engine optimization efforts

  • Best Agency

Recognition of an outstanding agency that demonstrates consistently great understanding and use of search and / or PPC

  • Best Client Side Practitioner / Team

Recognition of an outstanding in-house team or practitioner that demonstrates consistently great understanding and use of search

  • European Search Personality of the Year

Recognition of a talented and inspiring practitioner who has revolutionized the UK search industry

  • Grand Prix

Recognition of the best of the best European search campaign, platform or software to be selected from the previous categories

The timetable for the awards are a followed:

March – Awards launch, entries open

Friday 4 May –Deadline for all entries

Wednesday 16 May – Judging session

Monday 21 May – Shortlists announced

Thursday 5 July – Awards ceremony

The awards will be presented at an awards dinner at the NH Barbizon Palace, in Amsterdam on the evening of Thursday 5 July 2012.

Tickets for the awards are priced as follows:

£130 +VAT for individual places

£1200 + VAT for a table of 10

€155 for individual places

€1430 for a table of 10

(no VAT will be charged if paying in Euros however you will be required to enter your European VAT number to qualify for this payment option)

You can book your places online on this website or alternatively please contact Kerry Wilson at Don’t Panic on 00 44 (0)1706 828855 or e-mail kerry@dontpanicprojects.com