hostmonster

Website URL http://www.hostmonster.com/
Contact Email support@hostmonster.com

Overview

Host Monster is a reputable web hosting company who has been operating since 1996. Their web hosting packages are regarded as some of the best available, and provide a great product at an extremely affordable price. With unlimited bandwidth, unlimited disk space and an unlimited number of add-on domains, Host Monster packages boast some great features. On top of this you get $50 of Google and Yahoo credit, top-notch customer service, and instant account setup – meaning your site is ready to use as soon as you have signed up.

Visit Host Monster Website, Click Here

Reliability

Host Monster use state of the art Xeon servers to provide powerful and reliable hosting for all of their websites. With 24/7 network monitoring and snapshot back-ups every six hours, you can be sure that you are running a reliable and secure website, and that your data is in safe hands. Downtime is extremely low with Host Monster, and this should be a vital factor when selecting a web hosting company. Overall, when it comes to reliability and performance, Host Monster is the best performer.

Control Panel

As with several other top web hosting sites, Host monster uses CPanel, which is a user friendly interface that offers some great options. These features include a website statistics report – perfect for analyzing your sites performance, along with search engine submissions and file and domain management facilities. Another great feature is Fantastico. This application allows you to quickly and easily install scripts, blogs, shopping carts, forums and more. This is perfect for people who want to create an effective and professional-looking site, but do not have the technical knowledge to add these things themselves.

Customer Support

A web hosting company can make or break their product with their customer support, and this is an area which Host Monster scores highly at. The phone support is 24/7, and not outsourced – something which has been cause for complaint with various other web hosting companies in the past. In our phone tests the on-hold times were less than two minutes, and the customer service was friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. 24/7 e-mail support and live chat are also offered, along with a Support Center – which has a variety of great tutorials, a forum, a large FAQ section and a new users starting-up guide.

Value for money

Host Monster is arguably the best in the industry when it comes to pricing plan. All packages come with extremely large amounts of bandwidth and disk space, meaning users have plenty of room for future expansion. Plans also come with a free domain name, free setup, and unlimited sub domains, e-mail accounts, e-mail forwarding and much more. You even get $50 Yahoo credit and $50 Google credit thrown in. A recent addition to Host Monster packages is a selection of bonus features, including message forums, web blogs and Wordpress. All of these benefits stack up to make Host Monster the top scorer when it comes to value for money.

Summary

Host Monster offers a great web hosting product that rates as our second best overall. Their web hosting is reliable and secure, the control panel is easy to use and contains some great features, and the customer support and value for money are some of the best in the industry. We are positive that if you choose Host Monster as your web hosting company you will be making a good decision.

inmotion

Website URL http://www.inmotionhosting.com/
Contact Email support@inmotionhosting.com

Overview

InMotion Hosting is an employee owned and operated company that has been in business since 2001. Over the years they have grown to be the best Business Web Host in the market. InMotion Hosting offers the standard features but are in a league of their own with options such as multiple data centers, awesome equipment, vps/dedicated offerings and exceptional customer support. They are also set apart from the competition in the fact that they are a CNET certified service provider and have an “Excellent” rating from the BBB .

Visit In Motion Hosting, Click Here

Reliability

InMotion Hosting has invested significant money and time into every aspect of their business. Their equipment is the best you can get on the market today. We have seen their new server specs and were truly blown away. They have Dell machines with 48GB of RAM with ultra high end Xeon Quad Core CPUs. These are the best machines we have seen out there and it's something the competition doesn't match. The option of multiple data centers is also unheard of from other hosts. This can make your access to your site and email much faster than with any other host.

Control Panel

InMotion Hosting uses the leading control panel, Cpanel, on all their hosting solutions. As a Cpanel host InMotion Hosting allows a seamless way for customers to transfer hosts with no downtime. Businesses cannot afford to have their sites go down at any time and with InMotion Hosting's exclusive process they take the fear out of transferring. They provide temporary URLs, the ability to set up email addresses in advance and a support staff who are expertly trained in transfers.

Customer Support

InMotion Hosting has exceptional customer service and support. All their support is U.S. Based as they do not outsource any part of their business. Their friendly techs are there at every hour of the day 24x7x365 by phone, online chat and email. In our review the average phone hold time was under 2 minutes and email was answered in 30 minutes. Their support staff was very knowledgeable and helpful and went above and beyond to answer all questions.

Value for money

InMotion Hosting is a business web hosting company and they are more expensive then other hosting companies. After our review we can see why. In web hosting you get what you pay for and it's worth it for the level of support and reliability you get with InMotion Hosting. They offer features you just can't get with other hosts such as the choice of data center location, ultra high end servers and a 90 day money back guarantee. These premium features along with the best service and support make them ideal for businesses.

Summary

InMotion Hosting is a company that has gone above and beyond to provide their customers with the best service available. Their web hosting packages are perfect for small to medium businesses that need a secure and reliable host. With a premium web site builder, 90 day money back guarantee, multiple data centers, 99.9% uptime and the best support in the industry they are a clear choice for business web hosting.

Hostclear.com

Website URL http://www.hostclear.com/
Contact Email support@hostclear.com

Overview

Host Clear were launched in 2006 and gained the trust from thousands of businesses worldwide with their profession but simple approach to web hosting. Unlike many other web hosting providers Host Clear still offers 3 web hosting plans, all include unlimited usage including web space, traffic and hosted domains. Host Clear has always been a host targeted towards small to medium sized businesses, Host Clear have acknowledged this with their recent re-design which appeals specifically to those looking for a professional web host to take care their website/online presence.

Visit Host Clear, Click Here

Reliability

Host Clear take great pride in their uptime performance, this includes a leading 24/7 monitoring system to detect even the smallest of glitches or bugs. On top of this they also offer courtesy off site backups, UPS power back-up generator protection and 2x2 leibert 120 tons cooling capacity covering every server within the data centre. And if that does not help you sleep at night then their 99.99% uptime guarantee should do.

Control Panel

Host Clear use the same control panel as their leading competitors but have customized it slightly to make navigation and usage even easier for their users. Absolutely everything is accessible from inside the control panel including their leading website builder and the handful of free web applications that are included as standard with each of the 3 Host Clear accounts. Web applications include ecommerce features like shopping cart software and shopping malls, web applications also include blogging platforms and newsletter solutions for your website.

Customer Support

Host Clear have every form of communication between their customers covered, from toll-free phone to email and live chat support, you can rest assure you can reach Host Clear in any way you desire 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you are the type of person who likes to work things out for yourself then their help centre will not let you down, from there you will find a wide range of articles and guides covering almost every popular topic.

Value for money

Host Clear undoubtedly offer great value for money, their Home plan specifically offers high value web hosting at a price that is competitive with other web hosting plans on the internet. With a free domain name for life you will not ever have to worry about renewals fees as Host Clear take care of these for you 100% of the time. On top of this Host Clear throw in a bundle of extras and freebies including over $200 of free advertising credits so that you can receive real visitors from sites like Google, Yahoo and MSN etc.

Summary

Host Clear's web hosting services go above and beyond expectations and not all of the incentives can be found on their site, many offer others and promotions can be found on the inside of your control panel too. Support is everything you could need, being 24/7 is essential in an industry where businesses rely on their website being accessible 100% of the time. At $3.95 a month, Host Clear should be a definite maybe on your list whilst you search for the perfect web hosting provider for your site.

Supergreen.com

Website URL http://www.supergreen.com/
Contact Email support@supergreen.com

Overview

Super Green Hosting are on a mission to turn the CO2 dependent web hosting industry into a safe haven for webmasters concerned about their affects on the environment. Super Green are not only reducing their carbon footprint but they are reversing it! Super Green Hosting are involved in the largest tree planting project versus any other web hosting provider and each year are planting thousands of trees in a bid to restore the damage web hosting has caused over time.

Visit Super Green Website, Click Here



Reliability

Many assume that because a web hosting provider is green, theirs services are less powerful and therefore cannot hold as much storage nor deliver it over the internet in a timely manner. Super Green have proved this theory wrong delivering up to 400 Gigabits Per Second within their data centre. Super Green Hosting have also implemented a UPS Power Back-up Generator meaning your site will remain online even in the event of a power cut.

Control Panel

Super Green Hosting have their own customizes version of cPanel which includes all the standard functions for managing email and DNS plus the full Fantastico suite with the latest installs of you favorite PHP based applications. Super Green's web site builder has also been built into the control panel meaning everything is accessible from one place. The site builder allows you to setup a website in just 3 easy steps with absolutely no experience required.

Customer Support

Support at Super Green Hosting is top notch, Super Green currently offer support over the phone, by email and via live chat. All support channels are 24/7 meaning you can contact them any time of the day, even on weekends. Asides from this they also offer an in depth help centre that features some of the best video tutorials in the industry as well as complex help guides to get you started.

Value for Money

Super Green are very much competitive in their pricing offering green web hosting for just $3.95 a month as opposed to similar companies charging almost double that. For your money you get certified green web space, unlimited to be precise as well as unlimited traffic, MySQL databases and hosted domain names.

Summary

Super Green Hosting is certainly leading the green market and if we were comparing green hosting Super Green would be number one for sure. If you have made the commitment to go green, no one comes close to Super Green Hosting.

fatcow.com

Website URL http://www.fatcow.com/
Contact Email

support@fatcow.com

Overview

Simply the best web hosting service currently on the market and we should know, we have seen plenty of them. FatCow is second to none and, therefore, gets the coveted number two position in our top ten list of hosting services.

This fabulous company originally hails from New Mexico and was born in
1998. It was a lucky year for those of us looking for an outstanding web hosting package that is as cutting edge and unique as they come. Don’t let their fun style and irreverent humor put you off. They may love a pun but they also know exactly what they are doing when it comes to providing 30 000 plus customers with the best service possible. They certainly live up to their claims to be ‘udderly fantastic’.

Visit FatCow Website, Click Here

Reliability

At Fatcow they recognize that it can be totally irrelevant how many fantastic services are offered at simply brilliant prices if the darn thing is always crashing. Because they recognize this they have worked hard to make sure that their service is second to none in the reliability department. A 99% uptime guarantee speaks for itself. For the technical types, the fact is that FatCow;s load balancing on all servers, minimizes site downtime by keeping a copy of your web site on an alternative live site. In addition to this, they also offer daily server backups. All this means that there is simply no way you are going to lose your data. It is a simple as that. The fact they are linked to the worldwide web via multi connections also ensures that you will have lightening fast access at all times. FatCow knows that in business time is money.

Control Panel

If you have not yet heard of H-sphere then it is time you did. It is the comprehensive website management tool that FatcCow offers you. It allows you as the site owner to customize to your heart’s content and it makes it simple. A few noteworthy features of H-Sphere, are the ability to setup e-mail accounts, website statistics, manage databases, domains and employ and automate many different scripts.

Customer Support

It is hard to pick out one area in which this outfit excels the most given the high standard of their entire service but if we were pinned down we would have to nominate their customer service as no 1. They will give you everything any other company offers and then some more. Lots more, in fact. To further set them apart these people offer you their "HeiferCratic Oath” of customer service. This just puts them further apart from the rest of the herd.

Value for money

FatCow is one of those service providers that does not need a whole list of special packages and deals because what they offer in their one stop hosting package is so fabulous that it is sure to please any web site owner and the simple bottom line is that they do it at an almost unbelievably low price rate. This one size fits all perfectly package includes unlimited disk space and unlimited transfer allowances, free domain name for life, free setup and the ability to host unlimited domains per account. These are probably the top five things that site owners worry about being right in the package they choose and Fatcow has you covered. The basics are not enough for this thoroughly professional outfit, however, they also offer unlimited e-mail accounts, unlimited domain pointing, free comprehensive site builder, web traffic analytics and so many scripting resources there is no danger of you not finding one to cover your needs. As well as all these things Fatcow differentiates itself from the competition by providing a huge number of services you will not find offered anywhere else. MySQL, PHP, full CGI directory, Ruby-on-Rails and Python are just a few of these services. At the moment Fatcow is also throwing a sweetener into the milk pail with free credits for Google and Yahoo!Search Marketing to help you get your site noticed.

Summary

We have chosen these guys as our number two because they provide the best hosting service at the lowest prices with the best customer care. They tick all the important boxes and then some more. You would be mad not to check them out today:

ipage.com

Website URL

http://www.ipage.com
Contact Email

support@ipage.com


Overview

The name iPage may remind you of Apple's iPhone, but there's no copying here! The brand's been around since 1995—it's practically a hosting original.

That being said, iPage does have a lot in common with the iPhone. The iPage team's focus on usability is unparalleled. This host makes it exceptionally easy to create websites, online stores, blogs and more. They even have a team dedicated solely to improving the customer experience—regularly conducting customer surveys; usability studies; and performance testing for the control panel, mail, FTP and more—and they actually make changes in response to their findings.

Not only that, iPage is the only host that includes SiteLock's security suite into its hosting package at no extra charge! As part of their hosting plan, iPage customers get daily malware and spam scans, along with a security certification they can post on their sites.

Visit iPage Hosting Website

Reliability

Great! iPage boasts a unique pooled architecture, versus the more typical server-based architecture. This means that the sites are fed out of a central storage area to the server that is capable of loading the site in the fastest amount of time. It also means that a failure of one or more servers won't impact site performance.

We've been very impressed with the uptime and speed of page loads, CGI, webmail and FTP—as well as site and service availability.

Control Panel

iPage has a robust, but simple-to-use control panel that makes it easy to 1) manage your website and email 2) keep track of your overall account(s) 3) take advantage of the many scripts, marketing offers, and services iPage offers, and 4) get system updates.

We're big fans of their QuickStart wizard and tutorials, all accessible from the control panel's central navigation.

In addition, iPage actually offers control panel skins, giving folks a choice between managing their websites through text, icons and broader categories. They also give users a choice to add a few widgets—and tell us more widgets are coming soon.

Overall, we give the control panel an A-. We knocked a few points off because we think the settings in the left navigation pane of the control panel are a bit too detailed for most users.

Customer Support

iPage offers 24x7 phone, chat and email support. We had great experiences with the phone support. They're all based in North America, answer the calls quickly and are well trained. Chat agents are solid and were able to resolve our issues (though we suspect they try to juggle too many chats at once). Email support—provided primarily through the control panel—is good quality and turn-around times are reasonable for this type of support, but we prefer the instant gratification of phone and chat.

Overall, we found iPage support to be highly effective and our issues were resolved. We were especially impressed with the knowledge and professionalism of their Tier 2 support team.

Value for Money

While iPage's pricing is incredible for our readers—just $3.75/month—it has several unique offerings that set it apart. First, the iPage plans include the SiteLock security suite, which is worth the $3.75 alone. You'll also have the opportunity to talk to support reps who are located in North America—and do a great job LISTENING to their customers. They also offer unlimited diskspace, data transfer, email boxes and MySQL databases. With the 30-day money-back guarantee (which we tested), you're getting a great deal of service for the dollar.

Summary

Give iPage a go. This hosting vet offers an extremely competitive hosting package, tools that are a cinch to learn but offer loads of flexibility for beginners and experts alike, incredible security and a support team that is trained to listen to its customers and address their concerns.

www.justhost.com

The web hosting sites which were rated highest in the industry are listed below.

Ranking based on reliability, affordability, uptime, features, eaze-of-use and overall support.

http://www.justhost.com/
Overview

Just Host is our number one selection when it comes to web hosting, and it's no surprise that this impressive site has grown into one of the most recognizable web hosting sites available today. In terms of the extras that you get when you sign up, Just Host is unrivaled. Each plan comes with unlimited monthly transfer (bandwidth) and unlimited disk space, and you can host as many domains as you like through a single account. Just Host focus heavily on customer service and the quality and level of technical support is top-notch. There are many additional benefits, such as a fantastic site builder, Fantastico and Google advertising credits for your site, which make Just Host the number one choice for many people. On top of this, the pricing structure and value for money is excellent for such a top-quality product.

Visit Just Host Website, Click Here

Reliability

Due to their unique load-balancing technology, Just Host rates highly when it comes to reliability. Load balancing means that your site is run by multiple servers – so if one server goes down your site will still be running on another. This result is a downtime of almost zero, with 99.9% infrastructure availability. The servers themselves are industry leading, being made by Dell and carrying huge processor speeds. This is all backed up by lightning-fast backbone connections. In addition to this Just Host utilizes top-level firewalls and a multi-layer security system, making them one of the most reliable web hosting options on the market today.

Control Panel

A good control panel is one of the most important features that a customer should look at when choosing a web hosting company. Just Host utilizes the CPanel interface, which is widely regarded as one of the best control panels available. The control panel is user friendly, and new customers can quickly learn how to get the most out of it. There are a great amount of features, such as search engine submissions, database administration, website statistics report, forums, bulletin boards, script implementation and easy e-mail access – all of which add up to a great control panel. A new user will have a great time creating their site, and Just Hosts control panel makes their job a lot easier.

Customer Support

A great web hosting site needs to be backed up by great customer service – and Just Host again scores top marks here. If there's one thing that users do not accept, its large amounts of downtime. If your site is down, you are losing customers – and ultimately, money. The good news is that Just Host offer 24/7 telephone support (toll-free), and live chat back-up in the event of a problem. E-mails are answered in a matter of minutes, and staff are well-trained, and have great product knowledge. The quality of the customer support is one of the things that sets Just Host apart from other web hosting companies.

Value for money

The best news of all is that Just Host offers their quality product at an affordable price. Different sizes of businesses have different needs regarding their web hosting plan, and this should be reflected in the price. As a customer, this is a huge factor when selecting a web hosting company, and Just Host realize this. The best factor about the Just Host packages is that they all include an unlimited amount of bandwidth and unlimited disk space. This means that if you are a small company that is just starting up on the internet, you do not have to worry about expanding quicker than you expected and exceeding your monthly bandwidth allowances, and in turn being charged a costly fee. On top of this, Just Host include a free domain, free setup, and all the website builder tools you require, in every individual package. All of this is backed up by a cast iron money back guarantee.

Summary

The overall verdict on the packages offered by Just Host is that they are top drawer, and the company deserves the acclaim that it gets. In terms of reliability, the load-balancing technology means that downtime is almost eliminated. The control panel is easy to use and contains some great features which will keep all customers happy, whether they are new to web designing or an experienced hand at it. Customer support is excellent, and really sets the mark for other companies to aim for, and overall value for money is fantastic. With unlimited amounts of bandwidth and disk space, you do not have to worry about changing your package every few months as your site expands. On top of all this, Just Host offer a money back guarantee – demonstrating the confidence that the company has in its products. We strongly recommend Just Host, and believe you will not be disappointed if you decide to choose them for your web hosting needs.

Psi Productions

Visit Psi Productions's Web Site

Psi Productions provides enterprise level web-hosting services to meet the needs of demanding sites.

By not overselling our servers we maintain 99.99% up time and fast rendering speeds. See how fast your website can be starting at $6/month.

Contact Information

Address: 5761 SW 185th WAY
Southwest Ranches 0 33332
United States
Phone: 954-401-0648
Fax: N/A
Email: admin@psipro.com

Last Update: 6/1/2009

WebInternetHosting.com-Advance Hosting Solutions

Visit WebInternetHosting.com-Advance Hosting Solutions's Web Site

Web Internet Hosting is a privately held hosting company operating under WPDesignz Media LLC umbrella and was founded in January , 27 2009. We have been providing personal websites and established businesses with affordable web hosting solutions for a long time. Our company is rapidly changing to keep up with the demand of consumer's hosting needs.

At Web Internet Hosting, we strive to offer reliable and fast hosting services while providing you with top of the line support. We provide the most complete and cost effective packages available with fast servers, a 14 day money back guarantee, and 99.9% uptime.

If your interested in knowing more about our company, please feel free to contact us.
Call Support 1-800-456-9236 24/7 365 days a year

Contact Information

Address: SUITE 90803
Atlanta GA 30364
United States
Phone: 1-800-456-9236
Fax: 1-888-316-3498
Email: support@webinternethosting.com

Last Update: 10/26/2009

HostForWeb.COM

Visit HostForWeb.COM's Web Site

Unlimited WebSpace & Bandwidth for $4.95!
No Set Up Fee Or Hidden Charges
Monthly Contracts!
24-7-365 Phone Support
Hosting Over 1,000,000 Domains
Can YOU afford To Trust Any One Else?
AUTUMN SPECIAL - 20% OFF ENTIRE ORDER (coupon: autumn)

Contact Information

Address: P.O. Box 1164
Chicago IL 60690
United States
Phone: 703-797-0180
Fax: N/A
Email: sales@hostforweb.com

Last Update: 11/1/2009

Arvixe

Visit Arvixe's Web Site

Founded in San Luis Obispo, CA, Arvixe is a privately held limited liability corporation

built on a basis of solid ground work and planned growth. Since 2003, Arvixe has been

hosting thousands of personal, small business and enterprise websites on a global level. In

2005 and 2007, Arvixe received several awards from HostReview for being a top 10 fastest

growing company and a top 10 budget web host.

Arvixe prides itself in providing web hosting with a rare combination of unmatched

reliability, quality and affordability. Arvixe's edge is derived through unparalleled

company management and a culture of employee driven initiatives. Go ahead and give Arvixe a

try, and you will experience first hand what we call the Arvixe Advantage, the advantage of

working with the best.

Contact Information

Address: PO Box 14738
San Luis Obispo CA 93406-4738
United States
Phone: 1-888-278-4939
Fax: 805-293-8885
Email: sales@arvixe.com

Last Update: 3/27/2009

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What is an Operating System?

An operating system is a program designed to run other programs on a computer. A computer’s operating system is its most important program. It is considered the backbone of a computer, managing both software and hardware resources. Operating systems are responsible for everything from the control and allocation of memory to recognizing input from external devices and transmitting output to computer displays. They also manage files on computer hard drives and control peripherals, like printers and scanners.

The operating system of a large computer system has even more work to do. Such operating systems monitor different programs and users, making sure everything runs smoothly, without interference, despite the fact that numerous devices and programs are used simultaneously. An operating system also has a vital role to play in security. Its job includes preventing unauthorized users from accessing the computer system.

There are multiuser, multiprocessing, multitasking, multithreading, and real-time operating systems. A multiuser operating system enables multiple users to run programs simultaneously. This type of operating system may be used for just a few people or hundreds of them. In fact, there are some operating systems that are used to allow thousands of people to run programs at the same time.

A multiprocessing operating system allows a program to run on more than one central processing unit (CPU) at a time. This can come in very handy in some work environments, at schools, and even for some home-computing situations. Multitasking operating systems work a little differently; they make it possible to run more than one program at a time. Multithreading operating systems are even more different, allowing varied parts of one program to be used simultaneously.

Real-time operating systems are designed to allow computers to process and respond to input instantly. Usually, general-purpose operating systems, such as disk operating system (DOS), are not considered real time, as they may require seconds or minutes to respond to input. Real-time operating systems are typically used when computers must react to the consistent input of information without delay. For example, real-time operating systems may be used in navigation.

Today’s operating systems tend to have graphical user interfaces (GUIs) that employ pointing devices for input. A mouse is an example of such a pointing device, as is a stylus. Commonly used operating systems for IBM-compatible personal computers include Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Unix variations. For Macintosh computers, Mac OS X, Linux, BSD, and some Windows variants are commonly used.

What are the Advantages of Hiring a Computer Administrator?

Most companies, large or small, have a computer network of some description. As everyone knows, networks and computers crash and only someone with the right knowledge can bring them back online. A computer administrator usually has this job.

The computer administrator may have other techs working under him or her, but the primary responsibility for the network rests on his or her shoulders. A computer administrator working in a large corporation may have a whole network of techs to rely on. A computer administrator at a small company may only have one or two techs, if any, working with him.

The computer administrator may find herself installing software one day, doing server maintenance the next and tutoring an employee on the system the next day. A computer administrator usually wears several "hats" in a smaller company. In general, a computer administrator will have a degree in computer science or programming, and will be familiar with the most common operating systems used in the corporate world.

A computer administrator often begins a career at the bottom of the ladder, as a tech, doing the workaday tasks found with all computer systems. As he or she learns more about dealing with computers and technology, promotion usually follows. No degree is a substitute for the experience that a computer administrator gains on the job.

When a company hires a computer administrator, it is making a wise investment in resources. Someone who has just an offhand knowledge of computers will eventually run into a problem he cannot handle, nor will he be capable of setting up a complex network. A computer administrator can handle these duties, and more.

When a company hires a good computer administrator, it is making certain someone is on the payroll who can protect its technology and maintain the function of the computer network. Few things are more important in an age where the most sensitive of company information is stored in a computer network.

How Do I Improve my Network Security?

Network security measures are vital to prevent unauthorized users accessing files on your computer. Such measures are particularly important now that many people have "always-on" broadband connections. As well as preventing data loss and security breaches, such measures can stop your computer being used as part of a cyberattack.

An effective firewall is arguably the most important network security measure. It acts a complete block between your computer or network and the outside world, such that only data from specifically authorized websites or programs can get in or out. Windows comes with a built-in firewall which is well worth using. You may have firewall features built directly into your router or modem. And it may be worth looking at separate firewall programs produced by commercial firms.

The two main methods hackers use to figure out passwords mean there are a couple of important steps to choosing a password which will enhance your network security. The first step hackers take is to run an automated program which runs through all the words in the dictionary to see if they are right. This means you should avoid a password which is simply a word; it’s best to use a mix of letters and numbers. The second, more elaborate, hacking technique is to simply try every possible combination of numbers and letters. This means you should use the longest password possible: each extra digit makes your password at least 36 times more secure.

Another step you can take to improve your network security through passwords is to change passwords regularly. Even if there is only a tiny chance that somebody has figured out your password at any one moment, changing it reduces that chance back to zero. It’s also important to avoid using the same password in different situations as this increases the potential problems if your password is discovered.

Wireless network security is particularly important as it’s much easier to physically intercept data from such connections. Where you have the choice, use WPA2 encryption as this is the most secure method. If this isn’t available, prefer standard WPA over WEP unless WPA is not available. Make sure to turn off the wireless connection whenever you are not using it, particularly if you ever plug your laptop into a wired network. And when using a WiFi hotspot, check with staff to make sure you are connected to the genuine network rather than a bogus connection launched by nearby hackers.

For all the technical tricks hackers use to breach network security, half of all data losses are down to equipment being lost or stolen. As well as taking care to protect against this, you should consider encrypting any confidential data stored on a laptop or USB drive. There are several programs available which can protect your data from being accessed by unauthorized users. Some of these programs are open source and therefore free to use, though you should make sure to research and read credible reviews before deciding which to use.

What is a Command Prompt?

A command prompt is a text-based interface which allows someone to interact with an operating system via a command line, which allows the user to type commands and hit “enter” to execute them. Originally, all operating systems were text-based, requiring users to enter text commands to accomplish various tasks. In the 1980s, graphical user interfaces began to be developed, allowing users to interact with their operating systems in a way comparable to the way that most computer users operate today. Text-based operating systems, along with their command prompts, are still in use, and at the core of every graphical user interface, there is a command prompt.

In the case of a text-based system, being able to navigate with the command prompt is critical, because there is no other option. Users must learn the proper syntax for the system, along with the terminology accepted and understood by the command prompt. Numerous handbooks can be found for learning about various command prompt interfaces, and many experts in the computer field work with command prompts on a regular basis because they can allow for great power and flexibility.

Users of operating systems with graphic interfaces can still have reason to need a command prompt. For example, it is often easier to perform system diagnostics when there is a problem with the use of the command prompt. This tool can also be used for things like pinging and performing other tasks. Windows users can usually get to the command prompt by entering “cmd” into the “Run” box in the Start menu, or by going into the “Accessories” menu. Mac users can access their command prompt by going into “Terminal.”

People need to be careful when working within the command prompt, because it is very easy to make mistakes. The failsafes such as messages asking if a user really wants to do something are often not present, and people who are unfamiliar with the proper syntax and terminology to use can get into trouble and have difficulty navigating. It is also important to be aware that malicious and more experienced computer users may give out dangerous directions as pranks, so when someone provides a list of suggestions and command line shortcuts, it's a good idea to research them to confirm that they will perform the desired operations.

The easiest way to learn to work with the command line is through practice and regular use. Numerous guidelines can be found on the web for people who want examples of simple tricks and tips. Guidebooks are also published in hard copy version, and these guidebooks often contain a great deal of useful information which can help people gain experience.

What is a Network Operating System?

A network operating system (NOS) is a software program that controls other software and hardware that runs on a network. It also allows multiple computers, also known as network computers, to communicate with one main computer and each other, so as to share resources, run applications, and send messages, among other things. A computer network can consist of a wireless network, local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or even two or three computer networks. The heart of any of these networks, however, is the network operating system.

There are different types of operating systems. Most individual computer users run client operating systems, like Windows XP®, which run on a single computer. Personal computers that individuals use at home have a client operating system which manages the interactions and processes between the computer and its peripherals such as the keyboard, mouse, external monitor, and printer. In a sense, this is also a network, though it is different in scale than a network operating system which manages the interactions of many computers.

A network usually consists of many network computers that are connected to a central hub or router. The central hub, in turn, is connected to a larger, main computer. The network may also include other devices like printers, a tape-backup system, and a central storage facility. The main network computer runs all the connected computers and devices with the help of the operating system software.

A network administrator is the person who installs and manages the network and its operating system. He or she may configure the NOS to recognize a wireless network as well. If a WAN is involved, this would probably require more than one network administrator, as the network would likely be located offsite.

A network operating system has a menu-driven administration interface. From this interface, the network administrator may perform a variety of activities. He or she can use the interface to format hard drives, set up security restrictions, or establish log-in information for each user. The interface of a network operating system can also be used to attach shared printers to the network, or configure the system to automatically back data up on a daily basis.

An important component of a network is the file server. A file server is the device where data is stored for use by network computers. It can be a single computer or it can be a cluster of external hard drives hooked up in series to store data. A network operating system helps manage the flow of information between that file server and the network computers.

Examples of network operating systems include UNIX®, Windows 2000 Server ®, and Netware®. Each operating system runs differently, and as such has to be configured to perform the actions the network requires. A good knowledge of each operating system is necessary to work with them. Network administrators may need to be certified in order to manage particular network operating systems.

What is a Network Address?

A network address is simply a code used by computers as a means of identification. Just like getting information to and from your home requires the postal service to know the house number and street name, a network address accomplishes the same thing for a computer network. Without some way of passing along this information, the idea of the Internet would be almost useless.

Just like the postal service, a computer must know where it is sending information. The network address is a set of unique identifying sets of information that can be used to find the right destination. While many may have heard of such an identifier being used to crack identify theft schemes and other sorts of online crime, that is really just a small part of the overall importance of the address. Nearly all information will require this address.

There are a number of different ways a network address can be configured on a computer. The most common way is to use a protocol known as the Internet Protocol (IP). An address that uses this protocol may also be referred to as an IP address. The information for the IP address is contained in 32 bits. A computer will likely keep the same IP address at least while connected to the Internet, though it may also change periodically, and can be manually reset.

The other type of protocol is known as media access control (MAC). This type of network address has a little more involved simply because it uses 48 bits instead of 32. The information from a MAC number is very useful, and offers clues along the way about the origin of the computer and where it is currently located from a physical standpoint. The IP address can also offer some of these facts as well.

The network address may be used to track someone down who is wanted, but this happens very rarely. In most cases, getting the information as to the physical location of a computer is highly privileged. It will likely require some sort of warrant in order to get access to that type of information.

This ability to track the computer has led some to have security concerns about the amount of privacy a network address offers. While it may be possible for someone to learn who the Internet service provider is and even a city or town, getting any information more specific than that will be very difficult. Unless the consumer is doing something illegal, having a network address is likely nothing to worry about.

What are the Most Useful Network Commands?

The most useful network commands, of course, depends on what kind of network you are working on. There are two main families of networks, and we will deal with both of those here. The first family, the Unix or Linux family, is the oldest, with its origins back in the early days of computing, when the Unix system rose to dominance among all network operating systems. The second family, the Windows family, is in wide use these days as many network computers run a Windows-based operating system. Both have similar functions available to them, but the network commands that achieve these ends are different.

One of the network commands that many people may be aware of is the ping command. Both use the same basic syntax, that of ping [destination_address], but the options available to each are different. Ping is an easy way to see how long it takes one computer to communicate with another, which can be used for a number of different troubleshooting purposes, and so is one of the first network commands people learn when debugging networks. Options available include setting a manual timeout, setting a larger buffer size to send, and timestamping each hop as it is made.

Traceroute is another of the popular network commands, as it shows what the route a packet is taking from a source to a destination. This can be interesting to see, to get an idea how much a network connection travels, but can also be useful for finding where a connection is slowing down, as each host as it is listed also shows how long the packet took getting there. Traceroute is part of the core suite of network commands available to both Unix and Windows systems, although the options available for each to differ slightly.

When you’re logged into a system, especially a Unix system with many other users, one of the network commands most used is the finger command. Using the syntax finger [username] results in a chunk of information being displayed about another user logged into the system. This may include their real name, their contact information, their email address, and any additional information they have specified in a document in their user directory. Remotely the command can often be utilized by using the syntax finger [username]@[host].

The ssh command allows you to make a secured connection from the host you’re logged into to another computer. This may be used either from a local computer, through a shell, or while logged into another host to work through that computer. Many systems also allow for the use of ssh-keygen, which generates a number of authentication keys for the ssh protocol.

Many systems also allow for a whois command, which can be a useful and easy way to acquire information about a domain name. The whois command may return various information, but most people use it to find the IP address of the host that the domain name resolves to. The whois command may also be set up to query the whois database in order to return more comprehensive information about the domain, including when it was registered, and the contact information of whoever registered it, as well as technical and administrative contacts.

What are Free Domain Names?

Many people have seen advertisements on the internet for free domain names, which often seem too good to be true. After all, with most reputable companies offering domain names for $8 US Dollars (USD) to $15 USD, how can other companies be offering free domain names with no strings attached? The short answer is that they can’t: although many companies may claim to offer free domain names, in reality what they are doing is bundling a domain name with other services, which do cost money. This is a sense of free that is used in the case of “free gift with purchase.”

Domain names are regulated by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, or ICANN. ICANN accredits certain Domain Name Registrars to sell the generic top-level domains, such as .com, .net, .org, and .mobi. Additional domains, which are country specific, such as .uk or .tv, are handled by the nation itself, which licenses its own Domain Name Registrars. Depending on the domain suffix involved, the fees that absolutely must be incurred by the Domain Name Registrar are different. Since the majority of domains sold are within the .com space, however, we will look at those.

If free domain names were to exist, at the very least a Domain Name Registrar would have to expect to be able to give away the domain names without any loss. In reality, however, whenever a Domain Name Registrar sells a domain name, they have to pay a $0.20 US Dollars (USD) fee to ICANN. Additionally, with .com domains, they must pay a maximum fee to VeriSign of $6.86 USD. At that price, it becomes easy to see why no Domain Name Registrar could sell a .com domain for any less than $7.06 USD without losing money. On the other hand, a very cheap Domain Name Registrar could sell a domain for something like $7.20 USD and still make a profit if the quantity of domains sold was large enough.

Of course, outside of the .com domain space, that pricing can be even lower and still be profitable. With ICANN’s $0.20 USD fee, a .info domain name could be sold for $1.99 USD and still have a strong profit. And many other domain spaces have similarly low overhead. Even with these, though, giving away free domain names would still result in a $0.20 USD loss per domain name for the company giving them away.

What allows free domain names to work is that the company bundles them with required packages a customer has to buy to get the domain name. If, for example, in order to receive your free domain you have to sign up for at least a year of hosting, where the hosting is $9.95 USD each month, then the Domain Name Registrar is making nearly $120 USD each year from your hosting fees, which means they can easily afford to give away a $7 USD domain name. Similarly, a company can sell a .com domain name for around $7.06 USD even without requiring users to buy additional packages, so long as they make those packages so visible that many customers will choose to buy them, helping to boost their overall profit margin.

What Is a Top Level Domain?

Under the Domain Name System (DNS) which is used to allow people to type in words rather than numeric web addresses to reach a particular website, a top level domain is the last part of a domain name, after the final dot. Here at wiseGEEK, for example, the top level domain is “com.” Top level domains fall into a number of different categories, depending on who is allowed to use them.

The DNS system was devised as Internet use expanded, and researchers realized that having to type in numerical addresses could be challenging for some users. Under this system, which is administered by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), users can type in words or assortments of characters which are easier to remember than strings of numbers. Each domain includes a top level, second level, and third level or subdomain.

The creation of domain names also allowed businesses to brand themselves more effectively. Instead of telling people interested in Volkswagon cars to go to a specific number address, for example, the company could tell customers to go to volkswagon.com. The DNS system is sometimes compared to the phone book, because it allows people to look up a person, product, or service by name, rather than having to remember the right number.

A web address such as www.wisegeek.com is considered a domain name. The first part of the address, the “www,” is the third level or subdomain.“wisegeek” is the second level, and the “com” is the top level domain. Individual domain owners can create multiple subdomains under their second level domain, such as the subdomain “example” in example.wisegeek.com. Many people refer to second level domains as “domain names” because people often reference sites by the second level domain alone. However, multiple sites could have the same second level and different top level domains, which makes it important to spell out a domain name in full to avoid confusion.

Top level domains such as “com,” “org,” and “net” are generic. Anyone can register domain names in any of these top level domains. Some other generic top level domain options like “edu,” “gov,” and “mil” are restricted to people who can prove that they have a legitimate reason to use them. Top level domains sorted by country code, such as “ie” for Ireland, are also available, as are sponsored domains controlled by various industries.

When someone wants to register a new domain name, he or she has a choice of top level domain, assuming that those domain names are not already taken, and that he or she is authorized to use a particular domain. Some people like to get creative with top level domain names, as in the case of the social bookmarking site Delicious, which registered the domain icio.us so that it could create the subdomain “del” and spell out del.icio.us with its domain name.

What is Domain Registration?

Domain registration is the process by which a company or individual can secure a website domain, such as www.yoursite.com. Once you have completed domain registration the domain becomes yours for the period of the contract, usually one year. Before registration expires it must be renewed, or the domain reverts back to being available to the general public.

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) manages the international Domain Name Server (DNS) database. ICANN insures that all registered names are unique and map properly to a unique Internet Protocol (IP) address. The IP address is the numerical address of the website that tells other computers on the Internet where to find the server host and domain.

Domain registration is available to the public via a registrar. Fees and services vary from company to company, but the process is generally inexpensive. Before a domain registration can be approved, the new name must be checked against existing names in the DNS database. The online registrar provides a field into which you can enter your desired name and hierarchy —- that is, the letters that come after the "dot." Familiar hierarchies are .com, .net, .org, .name, .info and .biz. If the name is not already taken, it is available for domain registration.

During the domain registration process, you will be required to give contact information that will be publicly available through the WHOIS database. Anyone can go to a WHOIS search engine and enter a domain name to see who has registered it. Registrars require that this information be accurate and true. If you feel uncomfortable providing personal information, there are some registrars that will act as your proxy, supplying their information in place of your own as the contact for the domain. There may be a small fee for this service and potential drawbacks to balance against the ability to maintain your privacy, so read the Terms and Conditions carefully before deciding to opt for a domain by proxy.

Also important, be sure you will own the domain name, as some registrars maintain control over the domains they register. And be sure you retain the option to transfer the domain to another registrar, if you wish. There might be an initial period after which this becomes possible. Look for any fees that might be incurred as a result of transferring the domain. This could become important down the road if you wish to take advantage of another registrar's products or services.

Upon completing the domain registration process, it will take a period of hours to a few days to be able to see the domain online. The domain can be "parked" with an "in construction" page that acts as a kind of placeholder. Parking a domain is very inexpensive and most registrars offer this service for a small fee to give you time to come up with content. Once a registrant is ready to supply content, a web server must host the domain. The registrar might also provide hosting services, or you may wish to transfer your domain to another web hosting company.

If you are considering domain registration, ICANN recommends dealing with an accredited registrar. These registrars have entered into an official agreement with ICANN to meet minimal requirements for providing domain registration. For more information about domain registration, and for a list of accredited registrars, see the ICANN site.