*Mod - Please sticky this thread.
If you're looking to start your own web hosting company or purchase from an upstart company, you should read this entirely.
For Web Hosts
1. Do you even remotely understand the risks?
Most of people do not!
Having been a member of the largest webmaster and web hosting community on the internet, webhostingtalk, for several years and being an active member at OFTC which also has frequent web hosters I can speak on behalf of personal experiences. As a small reseller (which most small hosts are) they are responsible for every single thing that your customers do. No matter what contracts they sign, no matter how you pass the blame to the end user, if they commit a crime using your service you are responsible. Search around, read news articles, the internet is your friend. There have been hundreds of cases where the owner of a small web host has their door broken down, equipment seized, and they are held in prison until all the facts are set straight. Anything that could incite harm or terrorism, anything promoting (or hosting) underage pornography, even DMCA violations, leave them responsible for what your customers do. You may feel that just getting an offshore host will save you from this, right? Read below.
Additionally, if (or should I say, when) one of your customers does something illegal you will not go to prison. Most of you are minors and probably don't even pay your internet bills. Your parents are responsible for everything you do on their line and they will go to prison. If you're fine with that, stop reading and carry on with your business! If that bothers you, think really hard about it. Do they even understand the risks?
Do you know the difference between DEDICATED and RESELLER?
Most people DO NOT.
By the time the people here purchase hosting, they're receiving something so far down the line that if something goes wrong in the upper chain, there is almost no form of support that can be given. Additionally, most of these resellers where members here are purchasing their hosting from have TERRIBLE reviews that anyone who knows how to google should have found before purchasing. It should be a rule for anyone advertising here to say exactly where they host from so they can see what they are paying, the reviews of that host, and the reputation. Not doing so is hiding something.
Additionally, individuals that are using reseller hosting and claiming that they own their servers are blatantly lying and defrauding their customers. If you do not own the physical equipment, you are NOT DEDICATED. I repeat, if you do not own the physical equipment from which you provide web hosting, you are NOT DEDICATED and you are NOT A REAL WEB HOSTING COMPANY. You are an ARM OF THE RESELLER HOST. Dedicated servers tread a fine line, but anything that's shared or virtual is not owned. Professional web hosts lease rack space at a datacenter or purchase a high capacity line for their home or business where they can then host content while keeping an eye on their equipment for problems.
Do you know the difference between OFFSHORE and BULLETPROOF?
Most people DO NOT.
A lot of people keep calling German (DE) an offshore server. While this is technically true, it is blatant false advertisement and should be taken care of before it gets out of hand. Germany is a member of the European Union, they are a modern and civilized country with modern internet infrastructure. In many cases, their internet laws and regulations are actually stricter than countries such as the United States.
Internet Censorship - law & policy around the world
But then why would the dedicated server/reseller you purchased the hosting from say that it was offshore and bulletproof? Because they are all scumbags. Places like Santrex have thousands of terrible reviews and they are a top source of upcoming 'offshore' hosting. What's the number one complaint they receive apart from blatantly scamming their customers? DMCA violations and illegal content. Even countries such as the Netherlands have sophisticated internet regulation and won't put up with your shit. Offshore only means that the server is located off of the mainland of wherever the hosts main clients (or the host itself) is located. It means nothing else, it protects nothing, and it is in no way shape or form free of common laws.
Bulletproof hosting on the other hand is, for the most part, free of laws. Countries located in the old soviet blocs (Balkan, in other words) such as Romania are essentially bulletproof. Because of the situation in their government, they do not have the resources to crack down on internet criminals. Because of the poor infrastructure of these countries, you will NOT see good speeds and because of the very reason you would want a bulletproof host, if they scam you there is NOTHING you can do about it. Many bulletproof hosts are scam rings run by local criminal organizations or just rogue entrepreneurs. The best places to get bulletproof hosting include Russia, Panama, China, Cuba, Balkan countries, and in some cases Latvia. Do your research.
Are you managing your reputation?
Most people ARE NOT.
Many members here are members at private server, botting, and even hacking communities. Besides the fact that people running professional web hosts shouldn't be involved in such activities (for the most part) it's simply more professional to keep your personal life and business life separate. Do you really want customers to know you're at a hacking site? Do you really want to have that be associated with your so-called professional business? It's going to look absolutely horrible down the line.
Taking care of taxes?
All income from services tendered (web hosting) require filing taxes in most countries. If you hire employees to aid in providing said service, you must also file tax forms for them which they will subsequently file for all payments received.
Tax avoidance and tax evasion - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For customers
Do your hosts have ANY IDEA what they're doing?
Most people DO NOT.
Your hosts need to be extremely knowledgeable to handle problems that may arise in hosting. Proper security, data management, long term planning, balancing resources, fixing problems that customers create for themselves, DNS, databases, everything. Ask your host some problems before your hosting. I know half the hosts here know nothing and when a problem occurs, it takes them hours upon hours of searching for the solution to get an answer. Remember that if your host can't fix your problem, they'll have to go through THEIR host to find the solution, which involves tickets and TIME. Additionally, AGE plays a massive factor in both experience and knowledge. I personally would never trust my important data to someone under 18.
Do you know everything about the host you're purchasing from?
Not only that, but you need to find out the reviews of where you host purchased their hosting. If they're trying to get the cheapest hosting available, they might be using a terrible service. If they're afraid to tell you where they host from or lie about it, STAY AWAY!
Do you TRUST your web host with your IDENTITY?
Do you want to trust people with your credit card where they could sell it to criminals or purchase things for themselves? Do you REALLY trust that the checkout system is secure? Do you REALLY trust them to not seek retribution if you say something bad about their service?
*I don't take credit for this post. It was copied from another forum.
View my other threads
All about nulled WHMCS
Anvil Host - Hammerin the Competition - Hosting from $2.95 [99.9% Uptime]
If you're looking to start your own web hosting company or purchase from an upstart company, you should read this entirely.
For Web Hosts
1. Do you even remotely understand the risks?
Most of people do not!
Having been a member of the largest webmaster and web hosting community on the internet, webhostingtalk, for several years and being an active member at OFTC which also has frequent web hosters I can speak on behalf of personal experiences. As a small reseller (which most small hosts are) they are responsible for every single thing that your customers do. No matter what contracts they sign, no matter how you pass the blame to the end user, if they commit a crime using your service you are responsible. Search around, read news articles, the internet is your friend. There have been hundreds of cases where the owner of a small web host has their door broken down, equipment seized, and they are held in prison until all the facts are set straight. Anything that could incite harm or terrorism, anything promoting (or hosting) underage pornography, even DMCA violations, leave them responsible for what your customers do. You may feel that just getting an offshore host will save you from this, right? Read below.
Additionally, if (or should I say, when) one of your customers does something illegal you will not go to prison. Most of you are minors and probably don't even pay your internet bills. Your parents are responsible for everything you do on their line and they will go to prison. If you're fine with that, stop reading and carry on with your business! If that bothers you, think really hard about it. Do they even understand the risks?
Do you know the difference between DEDICATED and RESELLER?
Most people DO NOT.
By the time the people here purchase hosting, they're receiving something so far down the line that if something goes wrong in the upper chain, there is almost no form of support that can be given. Additionally, most of these resellers where members here are purchasing their hosting from have TERRIBLE reviews that anyone who knows how to google should have found before purchasing. It should be a rule for anyone advertising here to say exactly where they host from so they can see what they are paying, the reviews of that host, and the reputation. Not doing so is hiding something.
Additionally, individuals that are using reseller hosting and claiming that they own their servers are blatantly lying and defrauding their customers. If you do not own the physical equipment, you are NOT DEDICATED. I repeat, if you do not own the physical equipment from which you provide web hosting, you are NOT DEDICATED and you are NOT A REAL WEB HOSTING COMPANY. You are an ARM OF THE RESELLER HOST. Dedicated servers tread a fine line, but anything that's shared or virtual is not owned. Professional web hosts lease rack space at a datacenter or purchase a high capacity line for their home or business where they can then host content while keeping an eye on their equipment for problems.
Do you know the difference between OFFSHORE and BULLETPROOF?
Most people DO NOT.
A lot of people keep calling German (DE) an offshore server. While this is technically true, it is blatant false advertisement and should be taken care of before it gets out of hand. Germany is a member of the European Union, they are a modern and civilized country with modern internet infrastructure. In many cases, their internet laws and regulations are actually stricter than countries such as the United States.
Internet Censorship - law & policy around the world
But then why would the dedicated server/reseller you purchased the hosting from say that it was offshore and bulletproof? Because they are all scumbags. Places like Santrex have thousands of terrible reviews and they are a top source of upcoming 'offshore' hosting. What's the number one complaint they receive apart from blatantly scamming their customers? DMCA violations and illegal content. Even countries such as the Netherlands have sophisticated internet regulation and won't put up with your shit. Offshore only means that the server is located off of the mainland of wherever the hosts main clients (or the host itself) is located. It means nothing else, it protects nothing, and it is in no way shape or form free of common laws.
Bulletproof hosting on the other hand is, for the most part, free of laws. Countries located in the old soviet blocs (Balkan, in other words) such as Romania are essentially bulletproof. Because of the situation in their government, they do not have the resources to crack down on internet criminals. Because of the poor infrastructure of these countries, you will NOT see good speeds and because of the very reason you would want a bulletproof host, if they scam you there is NOTHING you can do about it. Many bulletproof hosts are scam rings run by local criminal organizations or just rogue entrepreneurs. The best places to get bulletproof hosting include Russia, Panama, China, Cuba, Balkan countries, and in some cases Latvia. Do your research.
Are you managing your reputation?
Most people ARE NOT.
Many members here are members at private server, botting, and even hacking communities. Besides the fact that people running professional web hosts shouldn't be involved in such activities (for the most part) it's simply more professional to keep your personal life and business life separate. Do you really want customers to know you're at a hacking site? Do you really want to have that be associated with your so-called professional business? It's going to look absolutely horrible down the line.
Taking care of taxes?
All income from services tendered (web hosting) require filing taxes in most countries. If you hire employees to aid in providing said service, you must also file tax forms for them which they will subsequently file for all payments received.
Tax avoidance and tax evasion - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For customers
Do your hosts have ANY IDEA what they're doing?
Most people DO NOT.
Your hosts need to be extremely knowledgeable to handle problems that may arise in hosting. Proper security, data management, long term planning, balancing resources, fixing problems that customers create for themselves, DNS, databases, everything. Ask your host some problems before your hosting. I know half the hosts here know nothing and when a problem occurs, it takes them hours upon hours of searching for the solution to get an answer. Remember that if your host can't fix your problem, they'll have to go through THEIR host to find the solution, which involves tickets and TIME. Additionally, AGE plays a massive factor in both experience and knowledge. I personally would never trust my important data to someone under 18.
Do you know everything about the host you're purchasing from?
Not only that, but you need to find out the reviews of where you host purchased their hosting. If they're trying to get the cheapest hosting available, they might be using a terrible service. If they're afraid to tell you where they host from or lie about it, STAY AWAY!
Do you TRUST your web host with your IDENTITY?
Do you want to trust people with your credit card where they could sell it to criminals or purchase things for themselves? Do you REALLY trust that the checkout system is secure? Do you REALLY trust them to not seek retribution if you say something bad about their service?
*I don't take credit for this post. It was copied from another forum.
View my other threads
All about nulled WHMCS
Anvil Host - Hammerin the Competition - Hosting from $2.95 [99.9% Uptime]
