Top Shared Hosting Security Risks in 2022 

Shared Hosting has been one of the most popular web hosting services due to its cost-efficiency and ease of use. When looking for web hosting in India, you have various options, including Shared Website Hosting, Cloud Hosting, Dedicated Hosting, and VPS Hosting.    

Many site owners prefer Shared Linux Hosting Services since they allow them to get their sites online in no time without being heavy on their pockets. 

When you opt for Shared Linux Hosting with cPanel, your site resides on a web server that is shared between multiple users. Also, the server runs the Linux OS, and the host offers cPanel as the control panel to help you run and manage your hosting account.  

Many small and new website owners prefer this service since it allows them to run their websites optimally and hassle-free. However, the shared hosting environment brings with it certain security challenges too. Here are some of the top Shared Hosting security risks in 2022. 

1. Shared storage 

In Shared Hosting, the server and its resources are shared between the users occupying it. Hence, the storage space is not dedicated to your site. While the host might ensure optimal server security,  

if one site has security vulnerabilities, a hacker can exploit it and gain unauthorised access to the server. In a shared environment, this would mean that your site would also be at risk of being breached.  

2. Site Speed 

After gaining access to a webserver, hackers can use it for various malicious tasks like storing illegal files on the server, launching attacks on other websites and mailing spam emails to your customers. This can have an impact on the speed and performance of your site.  

Even if the hacker does not attack your website, gaining control over any other site on your server could mean a lack of resources for your site. 

3. DDoS attacks 

Hackers plan a Distributed Denial of Service or DDoS attack by sending large traffic volumes to a website. As a result, the site has started utilising more resources to manage the surge in traffic.  

In Shared Web Hosting, since the resources are shared, this can impact the performance of all other sites and expose them to security risks. 

4. Shared IP addresses 

Usually, hosting providers offer a Shared IP address to all Shared Hosting users.  

Hence, if one user on your server adopts illegal activities like spamming, the IP can get a poor reputation or even be blacklisted. This can impact your site too. 

5. Illegal users on the server 

When you buy a Shared Website Hosting plan, you are not aware of the other users on the server.  

If a hacker purchases a hosting plan on your server, your site can be exposed to various security threats. 

Summing Up 

Choosing the right and optimal web hosting plan is important for your site’s performance. If you are opting for Shared Hosting, then among other features, ensure that you assess the security measures deployed by the host to ensure server security.  

Also, take some steps to boost the security of your shared hosted website, like blocking the execution of PHP in unknown folders and using the latest security tools on your website.