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[LLHOST INC.]

How to create your own VPN server easily?

Hello forum users!

Blocking certain resources will not come as a surprise to anyone today. VPN services continue to be relevant in this case. They allow you to bypass regional restrictions, as well as ensure a secure connection to the network.

We have already covered all types of VPN and mentioned that there are functional limitations to a public VPN service:
- the speed and quality of the connection depends on how many users have reached the server,
- the trial period can be limited,
- there is no guarantee of data protection from leaks.

Today, we will teach how to access blocked resources, through deploying a VPN on a virtual server. As auxiliary applications, install PuTTY (a SSH-protocols client) and OpenVPN Connect (to establish a connection between your devices and the server).

Thus, step 1. Selection of the hosting provider.
A provider that enables the deployment of a VPN on virtual servers is required. LLHOST INC. is included therein. Choose any OVS plan and get all configurations for server access by email.



LLHOST INC. is one of the few European providers who accept payments from any country in the world and in any currency: bank cards, PayPal, WebMoney, QIWI, cryptocurrencies (more about Payment Methods here).

Step 2. SSH connection to the server.
Enter the IP address of the server (from the configurations sent by email) in the Host Name field and click Open.



Step 3. Authorization.
To paste the password into the console, copy it to the clipboard, then right-click (the password will not be displayed in the console). Press Enter.



Note! If a warning window appears, select the Yes button.

Step 4. OpenVPN script.
After successful authorization, enter the ready-made OpenVPN Road Warrior script: wget https://git.io/vpn -O openvpn‑install.sh && bash openvpn‑install.sh and press Enter key:



Step 5.  Setup wizard dialogue.
The setup wizard automatically includes the best suggestions within square brackets [ ]. Type your choice, confirming with the Enter key:
Protocol [UDP] — 1
Port [1194] — 1194
DNS — 1
Client name — You can type client, as suggested. In this example, Test was used.



Press any key — confirm data entry with any key and wait until configuration are completed.

Step 6. Protocol for running OpenVPN.
When configured successfully, enter the  command cat ~/Test.ovpn (instead of Test, use the name specified while configuring). The script will be displayed:



Step 7. File *.ovpn
Select the text of the script, starting with the line client and ending with </tls-crypt>, copy it to the clipboard with the Ctrl + V combination and paste into Notepad. Save file as Test.ovpn (instead of Test, use the name specified while configuring), choosing All files type:



Final step. Server connection.
Right-click on the Test.ovpn file and select Start OpenVPN on this config file.



If the connection is successful, the PuTTy console will display the Initialization Sequence Completed status. Ready! You build your own VPN server from zero. From now on, all traffic will go through the VPN, which means the network connection is protected, and all blocked resources in the area will be available.

This guide is one of many methods for creating your own VPN. If you don't have enough technical skills or want to save time in setting up, you can make the task as simple as possible. LLHOST INC. has a solution for it — a ready-to-use VPN server for a virtual server's price! All settings are performed in a few clicks: select any plan and install the received configuration files. And as a bonus, we offer you a discount of -20% using the EASYVPN4YOU promo code when ordering any VPN server until August 5, 2022*. Benefit from it and let your friends know, because the promo code is valid for an unlimited number of users!

* The promo code is valid for three periods of monthly ordering.

[LLHOST INC.]

SysAdmin Day. Wait, it’s today?!

They say that the profession of a system administrator (sysadmin) is similar to that of the doctor — they only remember him when something fails.

Installing and configuring hardware and software, preparing and maintaining data backups, creating and updating user accounts, system troubleshooting, planning and implementing ways to expand the network structure of any business, and often ensuring cybersecurity, these are the main tasks of a system administrator. Thus, the success and stability of business performance is directly dependent on them.

Nowadays, the world's largest computer network consists of 6,000 computers and contains 35,000 km of optical cable. It was created at the European Center for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Switzerland to serve the Large Hadron Collider. On a daily basis, 2,500 specialists monitor the entry and distribution of approximately one petabyte of data. Although sysadmins are able to solve a lot of complex problems, the most common reason for apply remains fluid spillage on the keyboard. Every funny story spreads at lightning speed, turning into a joke. Let's remember one of them:

A man is flying in a hot air balloon and realizes he is lost. He reduces height and spots a man down below. He lowers the balloon further and shouts,
"Excuse me, can you tell me where I am?
"The man below says, "Yes, you're in a hot air balloon, hovering 30 feet above this field. "
"You must be in IT", says the balloonist.
"I am", replies the man. "How did you know?"
"Well", says the balloonist, "everything you have told me is technically correct, but it's of no use to anyone!"
The man below says, "You must be in management."
"I am", replies the balloonist, "but how did you know?"
"Well", says the man, "you don't know where you are, or where you're going, but you expect me to be able to help. You're in the same position you were before we met, but now it's my fault."

It has become a tradition to honor our invisible but important G-men on the last Friday of July. Ted Kekatos initiated System Administrator Appreciation Day in 2000. The American system administrator with 20 years of experience was so inspired by a Hewlett-Packard ads, in which users thank a system admin for installing printers with flowers and fruit baskets. He arranged a picnic for his colleagues in the suburbs of Chicago. Since then, this holiday has been celebrated annually, and is gaining popularity all around the world.

This year it takes place today, on July 29. LLHOST INC. is directly associated with the work of system administrators, and we want to celebrate that day together! On this occasion, each system administrator (as well as our readership) is honored with a -16% discount on all LLHOST INC. services for 6 months! It is so easy to use: enter the promo code #SysAdminDay2022 in a special field when ordering a Virtual, Dedicated, VPN-servers until August 12, 2022.

And don't forget to take part in the SysAdminDay flashmob!
Share your SysAdmin Day party pictures on social media using the #SysAdminDay tag.

[LLHOST INC.]

Free hosting: pitfalls guide

Search engine statistics show that thousands of people request "free hosting services" every day. Despite all the wealth of choice, these proposals do not lead the market. Why doesn't the word "free" have its magic effect anymore, and why does "free lunch" pose serious problems? Let's look at all the hidden threats of free hosting in today's article.

Low uptime
98% uptime (that comes with most free plans) is in fact a critical range. This means that your project will not be available for 14 hours per month. An unavailable resource will result in customer turnover, which will certainly have a negative impact on your business.

Low data transfer rate (DTR)
As usual, every free server has many projects hosted on it. It gets overloaded, download speed is reduced, and this increases download time by 20-30 seconds. The user loses interest in that resource, and you find it difficult to work on the project.

Traffic limits
There is often a traffic limit for free servers. The excess of the consumed traffic is an additional expense.

Inability to scale
Free hosting has a limited amount of disk space. As your project progresses, the only way to move forward is to switch to a paid plan. Its price may exceed that of the standard.

No technical support
Free plans mostly do not provide any technical support. Any questions that come up must be resolved on your own.

Risk of being hacked
Generally, just the cloud space you share with other users is offered free of charge. This increases the risk that your resource will be hacked in case your "neighbors" are attacked.

Threat of losing your project
Using free servers, you can lose your project anytime. Many hosting companies, which provide a free service, specify in their terms of use that they may stop the service completely at any time without explanation. A good example of this is Geocities, a free Yahoo hosting. The project was closed in October 2009, with over 38 million web resources hosted.

Restrictions, restrictions and more restrictions - the only thing that free hosting can guarantee. Minimal assistance, limited tools and excessive risk mentioned above.

If you are working on creating a project that you intend to develop, invest your time and energy, then free hosting is completely inappropriate. However, you have to pay for it, but in a hidden form. The right way is to accept the fixed plan for reliable and mutually beneficial terms long-term cooperation, isn't it?

LLHOST INC. is always willing to provide options to build a strong foundation for developing projects of any complexity. We offer a permanent discount for long-term cooperation for all our users. For all new customers, we have prepared a promo code #lunchdiscount. Apply it when ordering any Virtual Server (OVS) before August 19, 2022, and take advantage of a -14% discount on 3 monthly billing periods. Save on hosting smartly!

[LLHOST INC.]

Public Wi-Fi: Top 5 threats and 10 protection methods.

In our previous post, we shared the dangers that free hosting presents to our projects. To continue the same topic, let's talk about public Wi-Fi. What threats and risks are involved, and how can you protect your device?

Yes, we are used to the fact that public wireless Internet is everywhere: in any coffee house and shopping mall, airport, hotel and even on the street. ESET research shows that 74% of respondents use Wi-Fi hotspots without considering their security. And interception of traffic at such points can easily be done. Personal information, digital identification data, including banking ones, are at risk.

What makes public Wi-Fi dangerous?
The primary vulnerability is that while using a public network, your traffic is not protected. That creates numerous "loopholes" for attackers. We'll talk more in today's article.

Threat 1. "Evil twins" - fake hotspots.
When connected to Wi-Fi, you may not notice that you are using a "parallel" network with a similar name, imitating only a legitimate one. These hotspots are known as "Evil Twins" used for the theft of personal data and credentials and unauthorized access to internal networks is made.

Threat 2: Cloned websites.
Similar to a fake Wi-Fi access point, there is a risk of entering a "clone" site. This kind of scam is called DNS spoofing. Instead of the URL entered, you are actually redirected to a website that can look exactly like the original and your traffic is redirected to a third-party server. So, without any suspicions, you can willingly transfer personal data to attackers.

Threat 3: Infected devices of other users.
You may have taken care of your device's security, but all guarantees come to nothing if you connect to a public hotspot. Gadgets of users from the same Wi-Fi network can be infected with various viruses, worms and other malware that puts your device at risk of infection and/or loss of personal data, even if you have antivirus software.

Threat 4. The risk of stealing passwords.
According to LogMeIn statistics, 59% of users set the same password to access accounts on different services for ease of use. It represents a threat not only to personal security on the network, but also to family and friends. With your universal password, attackers actually get the keys to your life and can use them for various purposes: from correspondence on your behalf on social media to money transactions from your personal bank client account (mentioned in the previous article).

Threat 5. MITM vulnerability (“Man in the middle”).
“Man in the middle” is an attacker who interferes with the data transfer protocol. During a MITM attack, communication between the parties is intercepted (normally within the reception range of a wireless access point) and then relayed to the counterparties. An attacker may steal the identity of each endpoint, or remain an intermediary host, deleting or corrupting information.

How to protect yourself when connecting to public Wi-Fi?
Refusing to use public Wi-Fi in the modern world is hardly possible. Following these guidelines can help reduce safety risks.

1. Use public Wi-Fi only when necessary. All important operations requiring authentication and the entry of other private information should be performed only through a secure and reliable access point.
2. Disable the automatic Wi-Fi connection and select the networks manually. Thus, your device will not be constantly scanning for a familiar network, and attackers will be unable to connect the device to their network without your awareness (see paragraph on "Evil Twins").
3. Make sure that the devices you use to connect to a public Wi-Fi network are protected by antivirus software. Don't forget to update it on a regular basis, because if you force updates to be installed on a public Wi-Fi network, malware may be installed on your devices.
4. Check the legitimacy of the wireless connection. Whatever network you connect to, always check the Wi-Fi access point information (network name and password or IP address).
5. Always mark your connection to public Wi-Fi as "Public Network". This will prevent your device from sharing files or other sensitive information with others in the network, which will decrease the risk of malware infection from its "holder".
6. Use a VPN. Private VPN servers from LLHOST INC. create a secure and encrypted network connection, taking care of your privacy.
7. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for critical resources (bank clients, email, social networks, etc.). This will prevent unauthorized connection to the device.
8. Delete your Wi-Fi connection when you have completed the necessary steps to avoid automatically connecting to a network when you get within reach.
9. Change your passwords once you have used public Wi-Fi networks. The recipe for a strong password is simple: use upper and lower case letters, numerals and special characters.
10. Use the HTTPS data transfer protocol. It supports the security of site operations, the reliability of connections and the protection of data transmission.

It's quite difficult to protect yourself from hunters who are deliberately trying to get your bank data. But you should be prepared for any attacks today. Private VPN servers from LLHOST INC. were created to ensure that your personal and business correspondence, instant messenger conversations, online purchases, browser browsing history, etc. were not intercepted or overheard. And we're ready to help and keep it simple! Use promo code #publicwifihowto and get a -12% discount on any Private VPN server from LLHOST INC. for 3 monthly billing periods. The promotion is valid until August 25, 2022, but why wait when you can take action now!

[LLHOST INC.]

All you should know about UPTIME.

We have mentioned uptime more than once in our publications. And since it is one of the keys when choosing a hosting, let's get into what uptime means, and why the quality of hosting directly depends on it.

Uptime is a measure of time an equipment, IT system, or device, has been working and available. It displays the time interval from startup to termination of server functionality for any of the reasons: an error, a reboot, an unplanned shutdown, etc.

Idle time of a system is called "downtime". This is the time interval during which the server is unavailable to users.

Server uptime is measured as a percentage of uptime to downtime.

The ideal uptime is 100%, which is impossible. Scheduled reboots or other preventive maintenance, as well as emergencies, are reflected in uptime rates. Short interruptions with the server are safe, because problems are diagnosed in an instant and immediately fixed by hoster. So, for example, 99% uptime says that your server will be unavailable for 15 minutes a day (8 hours a month), and 99.9% - 50 minutes a month. Uptime 98% is considered critical (see Free hosting: pitfalls guide). Your server will be unavailable 14 hours a month, which could cause serious problems for web project owners.

Low uptime affects search engine optimization especially. It pushes down in search results rankings, since indexing by search robots stops during downtime. Negative results demonstrate PPC ads, posted on the third-party advertising platform, if your resource cannot be achieved. Losses from low uptime affect not only progression of your project, but also earnings. If your resource operates with frequency of crashing, the user will appeal to another one.

Make sure your project is available for as much time as possible! Prevent your users from switching to competitors and increase the number of new ones. Choose high-quality and reliable hosting that will ensure the smooth running of your commercial project, as changing hosting to a more stable one will increase the rating of your resource.

LLHOST INC. guarantees the maximum server uptime to ensure the successful implementation of any projects. Our uptime rate is currently 99.9%. You can make sure of it when working with virtual (OVS) or VPN servers from LLHOST INC. And promo code #uptime will cut the cost of services by -14%. Apply it before September 2, 2022 to activate the discount for 3 monthly billing periods. Our specialists are always happy to help in our Telegram chat or Ticket system.

[LLHOST INC.]

QA environment on a virtual server.

Virtual servers are used nowadays for a variety of tasks, not just in IT, but in many other fields. However, before we can enjoy a software product, an entire team is working on it.

QA is one of the important production stages, for which virtual server is an ideal environment. The virtual QA environment greatly reduces the time spent working on a project because of the following reasons:

1. On a virtual server, you can simultaneously deploy several versions of the same software product, each of which can be run on demand. In this case, you can create an unlimited number of users with certain access rights to server resources.
2. Testing environments deployed on virtual servers also prevent idle time of your own servers when there is no need to use them. All the virtual resources you need are at your disposal without loss of quality.

3. All virtual servers LLHOST INC. are configured with nested virtualization, allowing you to create isolated QA environments that you can easily set up to your needs.

4. Developers can work with the virtual environment without fear of damaging the QA engineer's one.

5. A QA environment on a virtual server is also necessary to calculate the consumption of selected resources without affecting its own capacities.

6. Temporary projects, which require diagnostics of software functionality only, are advisable to deploy in a testing environment, since they will not be used later.

Testing environments based on virtual servers will help speed up the product QA stage with minimal overhead. They can be deployed in the shortest time, being flexible in configurations.

Choose virtual servers (OVS) from LLHOST INC. to arrange a QA environment (and not only), as now we offer a discount of -11%! Apply the promo code #qa when ordering any LLHOST INC. OVS plan, valid til September 9, 2022, for an unlimited number of users.*

* The discount is valid for 3 periods of monthly billing cycle.

[LLHOST INC.]

Dedicated IP address: what are the advantages?

Today we will talk about the IP address and the benefits of a dedicated IP for safe connection to the network through a VPN server.

So,
What is an IP address?
An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique numerical address that identifies a device on the Internet or a local area network. It is regulated by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA).

There are two types of Internet addresses: IPv4 and IPv6.

What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?
IPv4 address is used since 1981 as the most widely accepted. It consists of four numbers from 0 to 255 separated by a dot. Since there can be only 4.3 billion such combinations, and the number of devices with Internet access has passed the 29 billion mark (according to statistics from CISCO, one of the world's largest IT companies), a new type — IPv6 has been developed. It represents eight blocks of letters and numbers separated by colons. The number of such possible combinations is 2128 billion.

What is an IP address used for?
All devices connect to the network, with an Internet provider as their bridge. A simplified model of it looks like this: device → provider → Internet. Thanks to IP address, the provider performs data exchange upon users' request.

Data from every website is stored on the server. Every server has its own IP address on the worldwide network. Therefore, each website also has its own Internet address, or more, if we are talking about a large portal hosted on several servers.

There is no need to remember the IP address to access a specific resource. To do that, the Domain Name System, or DNS, was created. This technology enables the browser to find the IP address by name and upload the website (see our article What is a DNS server).

Is a VPN server hiding your IP address?
When you connect to a network via a VPN server, your original IP address is replaced by the IP address for the VPN server, which can be located anywhere in the world. Beyond privacy, VPN servers from LLHOST INC. help improve your online security, as well as protect Internet traffic, by encrypting the data transmitted from your device.

What kinds of IP addresses do exist?
According to the assignment method, there are static and dynamic IP addresses.

A static IP address is permanently assigned to the user. It does not change with each new connection to the network, being an identifier for a certain network node.

Dynamic IP is a temporary address that is assigned to the device throughout the session. Once connected to the network, the user receives one of the addresses available at that time. When connecting afterwards, the device is assigned another address among the available ones.

A dynamic IP is characterized by a slower download and upload speed than a static IP address (which is highly discouraged when using a VPN service), with the threat of disconnect, from deceleration to complete shutdown, associated with the assignment of a new free IP.

According to the type of location, IP addresses are divided into public and dedicated ones.

A public IP address allows multiple users to access the Internet with the same address.

Dedicated IP address is a unique IP address which is assigned solely to you. With a dedicated IP, all the benefits of a VPN server are available, such as the interaction of company branches, access to geo-restricted content, mail service protection against blocking due to suspected spam, and much more.

What are the benefits of a dedicated IP address?
Secure access to all accounts. Bank clients, online stores, social networks can block your account if you regularly change your IP addresses. Connect to the network through VPN servers from LLHOST INC. for secure transactions.

No security checks required. Website security services will be less likely to consider you a robot and offer to fill out a CAPTCHA.

Secure remote work. Connect securely to your working network from your home device and continue to operate anonymously with our No-logs Policy.

Exclusion from black lists of public IPs. The absence of "neighbors" who can violate the Terms of Use will prevent you from being denied access. Only you can build your reputation online.

Protection of IoT devices. Data and settings from home security cameras, smart doorbells and other IoT devices which may collect data will only be available to you, and the opportunity for unauthorized access is minimized.

What problems can a dedicated IP address solve?
• Blackmail services if your IP neighbors are spamming. It will also block the Inbox and Mailbox from your asset.
• Sanction blocking of an IP address if neighboring resources are recognized as forbidden and blocked by supervisory structures.
• A DDoS attack against one of the “neighbors” by IP address threatens all resources with a public Internet address.

Thus, a dedicated IP address will help avoid many problems caused by users' actions with the same IP.

Obtain a dedicated static IP address when connecting to VPN servers from LLHOST INC. in any available location. Use promo code #iptips to enjoy a -12% discount!
Secure your privacy online with complete encrypted connections with LLHOST INC.!

Offer terms:
1. The promotion is valid until September 16, 2022.
2. The discount can be applied for 3 monthly payment periods.
3. The promo code is active for an unlimited number of users.

[LLHOST INC.]

What is the difference between a server and hosting?

Well, formally the term "hosting" is defined as "a service that runs servers connected to the Internet, allowing organizations and individuals to serve content or host services connected to the Internet". It is applied to all hosting services: from shared to dedicated servers.

In the informal communication environment, the meaning of "hosting" has become almost synonymous with shared hosting. In this article, we will cover it from an informal point of view. To do this, let's find out the essence of those services in order to have a clear understanding of the capabilities of your own resource.

It is known that absolutely all data on the Internet is stored on servers. Each server is a specially configured, powerful physical computer connected to the network 24/7. It can be fully managed by the user as a dedicated server (required for large organizations), or it can contain a certain number of virtual servers. This virtualization technology allows several virtual limited servers to run on one physical server. Each of the virtual servers is assigned a unique IP address. System files on such servers are completely isolated. This provides security at a sufficiently high level and protects against unauthorized access to user resources.

Virtual private servers are ideal for high-load resources and show stable performance, even if there is a technical failure on one of the neighboring virtual servers. You can configure the server by yourself, open and close ports, set a privacy policy, and more.

Complex managed hosting, such as hybrid (a combination of physical and virtual) can be applied to both dedicated and virtual servers, where the complexity of infrastructure deployment plays a key role.

Colocation provides just the Internet connection, constant power and climate control, and system administration is carried out by users.

Regarding the hosting, it is the service of providing disk space for hosting websites. All configurations are set up. Site management is implemented intuitive through the control panel’s user account. On the one hand, hosting is easy and simple to manage, and on the other hand, all resources are shared with “neighbors”, disk space and bandwidth are limited.

Although technical skills are required to set up a virtual server, this issue can be covered by any control panel that is convenient for you, which will set up your server for hosting.

In other words, hosting is a server with shared resources, configured to host and operate websites (with services already installed, such as control panel, mailbox, FTP, etc.). A virtual server, on the other hand, has dedicated resources and can be configured for any task (read more in our blog article
How to choose a VPS?).

Virtual servers from LLHOST INC. have a lot of advantages:
• Affordable price in the VPS market.
• Guaranteed allocated resources with no additional fees.
• Full access to all server resources.
• Set up flexibility: the ability to install any OP and software.
• Dedicated IP address.
• Projects of other users do not affect the performance of your server.
• Ability to link the required number of domains.
• The security of your server does not depend on "neighbors".

Put your commercial project in the best environment! Choose Virtual Server (OVS) from LLHOST INC. and enjoy a -13% discount for 3 months with a monthly billing period. For this, enter the promo code #sharedvsdedic in a special field when ordering any OVS plan from LLHOST INC. till September 23, 2022.

[LLHOST INC.]

Happy Software Freedom Day!

Every year, Software Freedom Day is celebrated on the 3rd Saturday of September. It was initiated by the non-profit organization Software Freedom International. The idea of the celebration is to inform as many users as possible about free software opportunities.

What is free software? Free software (FOS) is software that allows users to run software for any purpose, redistribute copies of it, and explore, study, or modify the source code. The most popular FOS today are: GNU and Linux operating systems, Firefox web browser, LibreOffice and OpenOffice office suites, etc.

The Free Software Foundation was founded in 1983 by Richard Stallman, creator of the Unix-like free operating system GNU. He always highlights the word "free", accenting that "the real goal of such software is freedom."

For the first time, Software Freedom Day was celebrated in 2004. 12 teams of volunteers participated in the event organization. They talked about the advantages of using free software in every sphere of life, with an idea to learn and share what they learned with others. Today, the geography of this event reaches about 100 countries.

Initially, the holiday was held on August 28, but in 2006 it was replaced by the third Saturday in September. Every year, participating teams from around the world celebrate Software Freedom Day at the regional level. Local organizers choose the format of the event. So they may differ from region to region. Conferences, seminars, cultural and educational meetings, exhibitions have become traditional activities. Celebrations may also contain master classes, demonstrations, games, discussions, Instalfests, during which experts will help you install and learn the FOS.

LLHOST INC. as well as Digital Freedom Foundation supports the distribution of educational content, including free software. Therefore, on Software Freedom Day, we are happy to keep the traditions of the holiday. Starting today and for two weeks (until September 30, 2022), our pleasure is to offer all our subscribers an -11% discount on all virtual (OVS) or VPN servers from LLHOST INC., which is valid for three months! How to get it, you may ask? It's simple: enter the promo code #softwarefreedomday in a special field when ordering any plan, and the discount will be applied automatically.

Celebrate Software Freedom Day with LLHOST INC.!

[LLHOST INC.]

All about Remote Desktop.

Have you ever been in a situation where you needed files or programs from a computer that is currently at home or at work? Or the project you are working on was not available while you were in a business trip? All this can be avoided if you have a Remote Desktop. It allows you to connect to your work or personal computer from anywhere in the world and access the files stored on it, or remotely share the screen with friends and colleagues as if you were sitting right in front of it.

Remote Desktop is a technology that allows you to control a PC or server remotely via the Internet. The connection is implemented by assignment of the administrative rights of your device to be managed by others. The ability to connect from almost any device, be it a PC or laptop, tablet or smartphone, is available due to the fact that the remote server takes the entire workload. You do not overload your device with running processes, but simply get an image from the server screen and freely manage its system.

Remote desktop on a virtual server is necessary for both private use and business. So you have a connection to your home computer at any time and access to your files and soft anywhere. And if you have to work with resource-intensive soft such like video editing, 3D modeling programs or run a video game that your home PC cannot keep up, Remote Desktop can help solve this problem.

For any company, both large corporations and small businesses, it is a great opportunity to organize a remote workplace, allowing you to work from anywhere in the world, having access to corporate software on your work computer and work files. At the same time, all documentation is stored on one server, and access to it does not depend on the presence of the employee in charge in the office. You can perform all actions on a remote device: change software settings, share files, encrypt transferred data, hold conferences, connect webcams, remote projectors and other network devices. It is very important that you have possibility to assign employees access to certain folders.

There are two options for organizing remote access:
• Special programs that connect two workstations via the Internet. In this case, constant access to power and the Internet are essential.
• Server rental, in which operational activities are performed on a remote server of the hosting service provider (therefore, the requirements for your devices are minimal), and it is accessed via the Internet.

A remote desktop deployed on a virtual server has increased protection, while special programs, both free and with a purchased license, have an increased threat of hacking and unauthorized access to the local network.

Now let's talk more about the areas in which remote desktop on a virtual server has a distinct advantage:

Accounting.
It is well-known that the database should be stored within the company, not at an accountant's home. If you have ever lost your ledgers, or broke the contract with an accountant, then you understand how important is it. With a virtual server, you will always have access to accounting files.

Bank-clients.
For security purposes, some bank clients are linked to the certain IP address and can only be accessed from one device. Virtual servers from LLHOST INC. have dedicated static IP address, which means that your bank account is always available for operations.

Electronic archives.
Remote desktop for the documents' archives contributes to the centralized storage of huge amounts of information. It is great for monitoring, statistics and data management.

Exchange trading.
To keep the network delay to a minimum, the server with bots that buy and sell assets should be located closer to the data centers. For example, LLHOST INC. has a data center in Amsterdam. You connect to the remote desktop from your location, and the bots trade directly from Amsterdam.

Alternative OS.
Some tasks or software may require a different operating system than installed on your device. Virtual servers from LLHOST INC. are the easiest way to deploy it.

System administration.
To system administrators, in order to manage the system and quickly troubleshoot malfunctions, remote access is a must.

Educational platforms.
Distance education is widespread today. Remote desktop technology is actively used by modern educational platforms for remotely students' access.

Personal gaming server.
If you want to set up a server to play online with friends, remote desktop can help in that.

VPN as a Bonus.
You can also deploy your own VPN server based on a virtual server from LLHOST INC. which will be a nice bonus for you.

Remote Desktop is an essential technical tool in almost any area of life. It finds its application for both private and business use, being effective and secure.

So, today we offer you a -14% discount on any LLHOST INC. virtual server (OVS) plan for three months with the #remote promo code, valid until October 7, 2022. A remote desktop based on OVS from LLHOST INC. is the best prompt solution to boost the PC performance without any substantial investments.

[LLHOST INC.]

12 proofs you need a VPN.

Talking about VPN, privacy and data security is always in focus. We covered this topic in the articles Who is following us on the Internet? and Beware: Spy Apps! This is really important, because information such as IP addresses, proxies, provider, etc. can be intercepted if they are sent over an insecure network. It is the VPN that creates a private encrypted tunnel between the two networks, which protects all your data.

However, there are many other uses for VPN that you may not even have heard of. Today we will talk about 12 of them:

1. Access to blocked resources.
In many countries of the world, several social networks are subject to censorship and blocking. For example, Facebook and Twitter are blocked in Algeria to prevent students from using them to get answers during exams. However, the blockage affects every user in the country. A VPN will help you bypass regional blocks of resources that are not available in your country.

2. High speed of media resources.
A VPN is your trusted companion for avoiding ISP (Internet service providers) speed limits on streaming media platforms like YouTube. In other words, a VPN will allow you to watch videos or movies across multiple platforms without annoying disconnects, buffers, or other barriers.

3. International libraries and streaming TV.
Streaming platforms like Netflix have different content in different countries. This may be due to copyright or censorship laws, as well as licensing agreements and price discrimination practices where the cost is different for one viewer or provider than it is for another. A VPN will allow you to access libraries that are not available in your area, as well as watch original programs from almost all TV channels in the world absolutely free of charge, bypassing geo-restrictions.

4. Change of location.
If, for whatever reason, you wish to hide your site from others, like employees or employers, a VPN will come to your rescue. For this, a server at the desired location will suffice.

5. Online gaming without speed limits.
Game developers often use BitTorrent for updates and fixed bugs. Such traffic significantly increases the load on the network, so it is "throttled" (intentionally slowed down) by Internet service providers to minimize bandwidth congestion. Using a VPN will help prevent those limitations.

6. Shopping in foreign online stores.
According to InternetRetailer.com, 24% of online shoppers purchase goods on foreign marketplaces daily. By using a VPN, you can avoid the challenges on different financial systems and make your shopping experience more enjoyable.

7. Anti-eavesdropping.
We have already highlighted the threats of public Wi-Fi. Since such connections are not encrypted and not protected, the risk of being eavesdropped is quite high, which you can check by all the permissions of installed applications. Even legitimate apps that let you control your kids or your employees' activities are vulnerable to attackers. VPN not only masks the route of your Internet traffic, but also encrypts your data, hiding your presence on the network.

8. Voice over IP (VoIP) calls.
Using a VPN for VoIP calls can make your connection safe from a country where the Internet is strictly monitored or blocked. It is also a means to save money on VoIP calls. The cost of this type of connection depends on where you are, and switching your IP address to a server address may help you access cheaper rates.

9. Safe connection to any Wi-Fi hotspot.
All Wi-Fi connections are highly vulnerable and are considered weak when it comes to IT security (see paragraph 7). Keep in mind that a VPN helps you connect to any Wi-Fi network safely.

10. Booking of air tickets and other services.
Many airlines and service providers may have different data collection methods that are used to generate service charges based on your location. Just like in the case of VoIP, a VPN will help you get a better price and, in addition, get rid of the annoying follow-up ads.

11. Marketing research on competitors.
It is known that each visit to a website is registered automatically. You can be identified by this digital footprint. In this case, a VPN will help you stay incognito. That is especially important when you are researching a competitor and anonymity is crucial.

12. The "Watch list".
Traffic, especially illegal, is carefully monitored by international security agencies, such as MPAA (Motion Picture Association) in the US or GPC (Government Communications Center) in the UK. Identified offenders are recorded under the so-called "Watch list". A VPN allows you to download and share files without risk of being included into one of these lists.

Those are just 12 reasons that prove the benefits of using a VPN. Highly secure encryption, IP masking, the ability to connect two devices at the same time, multilingual support - all this is about VPN servers from LLHOST INC. Take the chance to connect the service with an -11% discount for 3 months! Use the promo code #givemevpn when choosing any VPN plan from LLHOST INC. until October 14, 2022. Let your every connection to the network be as safe as possible!

[LLHOST INC.]

HDD vs SSD. Which is better?

When selecting a server, processor specifications and storage capacity are regarded as key factors. In any case, the function of a storage for a server differs from that of your PC as every server must store a great amount of data with 24/7 access. Thus, the main characteristics are:
• high performance,
• minimal response time,
• safety of data and possibility to recover it.

Modern storage media are represented by HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and SSD (Solid-State Drive). What is that? What are the differences between HDD and SSD? What kind of storage to choose? The answers to these and many other questions can be found in our today's article.

So what are HDD and SSD?

HDD (Hard Disk Drive) is a storage device based on magnetic recording technology. Reading and writing data from a hard disk is performed by the sensing head located above a rotating magnetic plate (similar to the phonograph). It was invented by IBM (International Business Machines) in 1956 and immediately became a very popular type of storage, decreasing in size and increasing in capacity over time.

SSD (Solid-State Drive) is a type of storage that uses electronic circuits to store data instead of moving parts. The operating principle is based on semi-conductors that change the electrical condition of the trillions of circuits contained in the drive. They have no moving parts, which helps to avoid problems with data loss or disk damage (similar to a USB flash drive).

Both HDD and SSD are similar in their physical features, but they have totally different ways to store and recover data. However, both technologies come with their advantages and disadvantages. Let's talk about the most obvious facts.

HDD’s speed is very low.
Speed ​​is the main difference between an SSD and HDD, when servers have to perform multiple IO operations (Input-Output), and information is not distributed sequentially. The speed of an SSD is not mechanically limited, so it works better with random IO processes and reading or writing random information.

SSD loses in terms of storage capacity.
This is a major factor if you need a dedicated server for storing large-capacity data. One HDD can hold up to 16 TB. Although it is possible to increase the amount of memory with any storage device nowadays, the price-to-power ratio becomes the only difference.

HDD is vulnerable to many external influences.
This could be caused by sunlight exposure or high temperatures, fluids, dust, or sensitivity to other magnetic fields. Mobile parts of a hard drive may be damaged at any time and cause data loss. The architecture of the SSD makes it mechanically more reliable than a hard drive because it can withstand vibrations or shocks that are fatal to an HDD.

SSD has a limited number of write cycles.
Although SSD has a limited life-time determined by the number of write cycles, you should not worry about the data safety. SSD assets and smart planning can handle massive quantities of written data. For example, the controller evenly distributes data across all SSD sectors, levelling out its mechanical wear. Also, non-volatile flash memory cells used instead of RAM maintain their conditions when the power is switched off.

What storage type is worthy to select?
Of the two options, it is impossible to identify the winner, and there cannot be any clear answer to this question. Both technologies are relevant today, and the choice between them depends on the operations performed on the server. On some, the data are written more frequently than read, on others, inverses. So, video hosting basically requires data reading, logging systems, video surveillance or backup - recording, corporate information systems - both reading and writing. That's why HDD servers are suitable for long-term storage of data with a constant low load. But in case you need a server for quickly dealing with all the tasks under a heavy load, then an SSD is a must.

The storage of all LLHOST INC. Virtual Servers (OVS) is based on a fast SSD, which has an advantage in terms of speed and response time compared to the HDD. They can easily perform a wide range of operational tasks that require fast loading, such as 1C, web development, 3D graphics and animation, audio and video editing, etc. Also, you have the opportunity to get a -13% discount on any virtual server (OVS) plan using the promo code #needforspeed until October 21, 2022.*

With virtual servers (OVS) from LLHOST INC. the time for searching and reading data tends to zero!

* The discount is valid for the 3-month period of the monthly billing cycle.

[LLHOST INC.]

Data Centers and information security.

Data security has always been and continues to be an LLHOST INC priority. This subject is always relevant when choosing a hosting provider, since you entrust your confidential information and want to make sure that it is protected safely. Is it real?

Now imagine the scene: a typical computer genius attempts to obtain confidential or classified information in a secret hideout. All manipulations performed on the laptop are commented as: "Getting around the firewall and accessing the data center." This is the moment when any technician sighs loudly at this blockbuster. And all of us starts thinking seriously about the safety of personal data if, according to the movie script, anyone can access it in seconds.

Now first things first.

A Data Center is a special room (or building) in which powerful computing resources are concentrated: servers and data storage systems. Their main functions are: storage, processing and transmission of the information. In addition to server and network equipment, each data center is equipped with engineering systems, security and monitoring systems that ensure efficient operation and protection of the entire complex. Also, any data center provides secure communication channels through which data is exchanged.

How exactly do Data Centers protect personal information?

Protection of engineering components.
There are thousands of servers in Data Centers, and all of them are monitored day and night by a “smart” control system: from air conditioning to resource consumption. Each server is equipped with its own power supply, and the entire data center with a backup power supply system. It continues to operate normally even if power is lost.

Premises protection.
Each data center has its own range of security protocols. The highest security level is intended for military and financial organizations of special importance.

Data centers used by LLHOST INC. are 24/7 under video surveillance. They are protected by multi-level access control and biometrics scanning. Each server rack is also under lock. These security measures, combined with the physical presence of security personnel, ensure that the data center as well as personal data is protected 24/7.

Protection of data transmission channels.
Nearly 50% of data centers experience DDoS attacks every year. The most frequent are threats of hacking, theft or deletion of data stored on servers. Our networks have both firewall protection and threat detection systems to help mitigate and prevent DDoS attacks. Information protection is achieved thanks to means of detection and elimination of the malicious code, as well as traffic redistribution to other nodes. You can be sure that your data is strongly protected at any LLHOST INC. data center.

Protection from external factors.
As was mentioned before, data centers are usually protected by high-tech security measures to ensure maximum physical security of personal data. For example, each data center used by LLHOST INC. is equipped with the latest fire extinguishing and smoke detection systems. Their intelligent system is activated independently in case of any smoke. Additional protection against external threats such as natural disasters is provided by security rooms and safes, where server equipment is reliably protected from any threatening factors. The choice of the location of data processing centers is not accidental, these are the safest corners of the world, although distant, but in proximity to the Internet exchange ports in order to maintain a high connection speed.

You can be confident that LLHOST INC. is making every effort to keep your data safe and sound. So, the promo code #safeandsound guarantees a -14% discount on all virtual server (OVS) plans from LLHOST INC.

Terms of the discount:
• is available for any virtual servers (OVS) plan.
• can be applied for 3 periods of monthly billing cycle.
• is valid until October 28, 2022.
• is active for an unlimited number of users.

[LLHOST INC.]

HTTP error codes.

Every Internet user at least once stumbled upon errors that are displayed when trying to access a website. Technically, it works like this: the server accepts requests from the user via a browser (or a client), processes information and gives the answer in the form of a numeric code that indicates the response status.

HTTP status codes are standardized three-digit codes that a web server returns in response to HTTP requests from network clients. The first digit indicates the status class. Currently, there are five classes of status response codes (depending on which you need to take certain actions):
1. Informational (100–199).
2. Successful (200–299).
3. Redirection (300–399).
4. Client error (400–499).
5. Server error (500–599).

Successful and Informational server responses remain invisible for us, while codes referring to a request processing error are displayed on the screen. In this article, we will analyze the main standard types of errors and the possible causes of their occurrence.

4** Client error response (400-499).
HTTP status codes 400-499 indicate an error on the client side of the browser. For example, a request for a non-existent page or lack of valid authentication information. Also, it may be incorrect settings of the web server, site scripts, etc.

Error 400. Bad Request.
Indicates that the request cannot be understood by the server, as it was not made correctly. An invalid URL may have been specified, or a technical failure occurred while transferring data for one of the following reasons:
- unstable Internet connection;
- blocking data transfer by antivirus or firewall;
- browser attempting to download a file that is too large;
- corrupt or expired cookies.

Error 401. Unauthorized.
This code means that authentication is required to access the resource. The login and password were not included in the server's request.

Error 403. Forbidden.
The server cannot fulfill the request due to access restrictions on the resource. In other words, restrictions were imposed by the server administrator or developers. Reasons may be an attempt to access web server system resources such as .htaccess or .htpasswd files, or from a blocked IP address.

Error 404. Not Found.
It is the most common error code. The server cannot find the file or page. The reason may be:
- wrong page address;
- the page has been moved or deleted;
- technical failure due to which the page is temporarily unavailable.
The 404 error code is also used to hide the real reason for refusing to process a request. For security reasons, a 403 error can be disguised as a 404 error.

Error 405. Method Not Allowed.
For each type of operation (download, data transfer), the HTTP protocol requires its own method: GET, POST, and others. This error means that the method defined in the Request-Line cannot be applied to the current resource. It can be displayed, for example, when trying to process files using the POST method instead of the Apache server, or when the interaction between the POST method and the FastCGI module is incorrectly configured.

Error 406. Not Acceptable.
It is a quite rare error that means "the server issues information in a form that the browser or crawler cannot recognize due to data compression or an unsupported format".

Error 407. Proxy Authentication Required.
The error is similar to code 401. The only difference is the authentication is required for the proxy server. As usually, the answer contains recommendations for its fixing.

Error 408. Request timed out.
It means that server timed out for transmission from client. It occurs when large sized files are being transferred, or there is a temporary loss of Internet connectivity, or the server is temporarily overloaded. You can solve this error simply by reloading the page, as well as checking the Internet connection or visit the resource later.

Error 409. Conflict.
Indicates a conflict between the request and the server configuration. Possible reasons:
- conflict with proxies through which the server is accessed;
- access conflict between files on the server itself;
- virus software on the user's device;
- failures in the browser.

Error 410. Gone.
It is similar to a 404 error: The requested page or document is not available. However, a 410 error is displayed when the requested resource has been irreversibly deleted.

Error 411. Length required.
When files are transferred by certain methods and the amount of transferred data is limited, the server refuses to accept a request without a Content-Length header.

Error 412. Precondition failed.
This error means that a precondition processing failure or error was encountered while checking one or more request header fields. To fix the error, it is usually enough to clear the cache and cookies.

Error 413. Request Entity Too Large.
It is displayed when the request is larger than the web server can handle, such as when a file is too large to download. To eliminate it is recommended:
- to compress an image or video before uploading to decrease file size;
- do not upload multiple files at the same time;
- to allow the large file size by changing the settings of the web server that are referred to downloading.

Error 414. Request-URI Too Long.
The server is rejecting the request because the specified URI is too long. This error can occur when the CMS code is configured incorrectly. In the administration panel, each time you go from page to page, data with parameters is added to the URL until the link exceeds the limit. Also, the frequency of displaying error 414 may indicate hacking attempts.

Error 415. Unsupported Media Type.
The server refuses to process a request with the specified data type because the request body has an unsupported format.

Error 416. Range Not Satisfiable.
The server cannot process the request because the Range field in the request header is specified by a range outside the resource.

Error 417. Expectation Failed.
The server for some reason cannot satisfy the value of the requested Expect field header and refuses to process the request.

Error 422. Unprocessable Entity.
This error indicates that the server cannot perform the request because one or more elements may have a logical error.

Error 423. Locked.
The server is refusing to process the request as one of the required resources is blocked to apply this specified method.

Error 424. Failed Dependency.
This error occurs when the server's implementation of the current request depends on another operation that cannot be performed.

Error 426. Upgrade Required.
The server requested to update the connection protocol, but SSL is not supported by the client.

Error 429. Too Many Requests.
Indicates that the user has sent too many requests in a given amount of time. As usually, the response indicates how long to wait before making a new request. It can also point to an attempted DDoS attack.

Error 451. Unavailable For Legal Reasons.
Means that access to the resource was closed for legal reasons. This may be the requirement of public authorities or copyright holders in copyright infringement cases.

Error 499. Client Closed Request.
This is a non-standard code for cases where the client closed the connection without waiting for a response to his request.

5** Server error responses (500–599).
These codes are referred to the errors on the server side. They say that the request is correct and meets all the requirements of the server, but at the moment the server cannot process it. Usually, an explanation of the error is displayed with the code.

Error 500. Internal Server Error.
This error displays any internal server error that is outside the class range. The server is unable to determine the issue or has faced an unexpected condition that prevents it from fulfilling the request.

Error 501. Not Implemented.
In comparison with error 405, when a request method is rejected as invalid, error 501 indicates that the server does not recognize the request method and is unable to process it.

Error 502. Bad Gateway Error.
The error indicates an invalid response message from the upstream server when the request goes through a proxy server and one of the servers in the chain is unable to process the request. This is possible for the following reasons:
- server malfunction;
- of communication between the sections of the request;
- firewall blocking the request;
- incorrect server configurations;
- conflict between servers settings.

Error 503. Service Unavailable.
The server is unable to process requests due to temporary overload or serving:
- the server received too many requests at the same time, and has no enough power to process them;
- technical maintenance is undergoing on the server;
- the limit of users connected to the server has been exceeded.
Also, this error may indicate a DDoS attack or server overload due to insufficient server capacity.

Error 504 Gateway Timeout.
Means that the server as a proxy server did not await for a response from the upstream server, to which the request was sent. The reasons can be either a too short timeout in the settings, or an unstable Internet connection between servers, or server overload with requests.

Error 505. Version Not Supported.
This response can be received if the server does not support the HTTP protocol version passed in the request header. The answer usually contains an explanation of the reason.

Error 507. Not Extended.
The server cannot successfully process the request due to insufficient storage. The problem may be temporary.

Error 510. Not Extended.
The server cannot process the request because the requested extension is missing. You can also require the information about the extensions available to the server.

This is such an impressive list. But those are just standard errors! Experimental or draft are not included to the list. Experience has proven that errors 403, 404, 504 are the most common. They are easy to remember. In other cases, you can always turn to the LLHOST INC. blog, which replenishes your “knowledge bank” weekly.

But that's not all the benefits! Until November 11, 2022, a promo code #httpcodes is valid for all virtual and VPN servers of LLHOST INC. This means that any virtual server (OVS) or VPN server (PVS) plan can be purchased at a -12% discount for 3 months with a monthly billing cycle. And let the errors you meet as little as possible!

[LLHOST INC.]

Why does your business need a virtual server?

Every business owner, in order to dominate the market or expand his company, has to optimize it with various IT technologies. So, different online shops, information portals and websites of companies not only host their own website, but also implement various control systems related to the storage and management of information. In this case, virtual servers can assist you. They are an excellent alternative to physical servers, which take up a lot of office space and require a significant investment to organize and maintain.

A virtual server can perform many different tasks, being, in fact, a universal solution for any business. Let's consider the most popular of them.

Corporate websites.
Hosting your corporate website requires significant processing capacity and enhanced security. This is a prerequisite for the web resources that store personal data. Virtual servers have an individual environment with its operating system and software used only by your company.

Online shops.
For a fast and steady running trading platforms, you just need a powerful virtual server. According to the statistics of Data Insight, a research agency specializing in the Internet market, one of the most important factors for online shoppers is the quick download pages and the ability to make a successful purchase.

Media content platforms.
These include photo stocks, video hosting, music services, etc. Such resources must withstand a large server load, not to cause delays when uploading and downloading files. A virtual server will provide maximum speed even during extreme traffic peaks.

Email server.
It's quite impossible to imagine a company that does not use email. It is used both in internal communication and in communication with customers and partners: for promotional mailings, notice updates, etc. A unique domain email address, control and restrictions on accessing the mailbox, creation of new or additional email addresses - these are the main advantages of your own email server.

IP calls.
Virtual Servers LLHOST INC. can be used for VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) calls. They are powerful enough to install all the required software and store all the call recordings. It is a great solution for call centres, customer support or companies whose activities are related to telephone calls.

Virtual work environment.
We've already covered all the advantages of a remote desktop. Virtual work environment is an ideal solution for different departments or employees working on the same project and interacting with each other on an ongoing basis. This will allow access at any time from anywhere, while protecting the company's confidential information.

Automation of business processes.
Most companies have already implemented 1C, CRM, databases, billing systems and others to automate their business processes. That software can be easily setted up and configured on a virtual server with access limitation depending on the employee's activities.

Databases.
It is recommended to store databases on a separate server. This will prevent the loss of information in case your PC is affected by a malicious virus or an attack on the company's website, because you're the only one who has access to the server.

Your own VPN.
While free VPNs are insecure as well as many paid apps are geo-restricted, it's easy to set up your own VPN on a virtual server to increase your online privacy and security. You can find all the instructions on How to set up your own VPN on LLHOST INC. virtual servers in our blog.

Creative agencies.
Virtual servers allow you to connect an unlimited number of domains and databases. Thanks to this, you will be able to develop and test numerous websites or services, which will run uninterruptedly.

This is why a virtual server is one of the prerequisites for the development and expansion of any company. Enjoy all the features of a physical server like high performance, maximum speed, etc. by using LLHOST INC. virtual servers without substantial investments in infrastructure. Enter the promo code #whyvps when ordering any virtual servers from LLHOST INC. until November 18, 2022, and benefit a -13% discount for 3 months on a monthly billing cycle.