When looking for secure web hosting, especially for an eCommerce site, one of the most important things to look for is security and PCI Compliance. Many hosts will go out of their way to emphasize their disk space and bandwidth allotments (some even claiming to offer hosting packages with unlimited disk usage), without even mentioning their security practices. This is something that should raise some concerns, as a hosting company's security policy is generally far more important than disk space in modern web hosting. Disk space is now very inexpensive, and most hosts' starter plans offer far more disk space than most personal and small business websites will need (very few users will ever use more than 10GB of disk space). On the other hand, viruses and hacking are becoming greater threats with each passing day. You don't need to look hard to find articles about businesses and even government organizations being hacked or incapacitated by malicious software. The best, and sometimes only, way to protect your site from these types of hacking attacks is by finding a PCI and HIPPA compliant web host with a strong focus on security.

But how can you tell if your host is both secure and PCI compliant? Start by looking for a host who offers offsite backups, whose staff is very knowledgeable about security and web hosting in general and, ideally, who has been profitable in the industry for at least a few years. The latter is not always mandatory, but a profitable web host is generally a quality web host. Read through their site and look for information about their security practices, and don't be afraid to ask the host some questions about their security policies if you can't find the information on their website.

Ask your secure web host how often they upgrade their server software, and if you're looking to host an eCommerce site make sure their servers meet the requirements for the newest version of your chosen eCommerce software. Ask your chosen web host if they provide assistance in the event of a malware infection or hacking attack, and make sure that they house their servers in a physically secure datacenter. Your secure web host should also utilize both a brute force and intrusion detection system to prevent password cracking and unwanted server access. It would also be wise to ask what other extra steps they take to secure their servers, and what credentials the security staff has, including any applicable certificates.

However, while finding a secure and PCI compliant web host is very important for protecting your data, always remember that there is only so much your web host can do. Many of the more common hacking attacks are performed using exploits in older versions of popular web software such as Wordpress or ZenCart, and in some cases no amount of server-wide security can prevent them. The best way to protect yourself from these exploits is to keep all of your web software updated to the newest version at all times. Most web hosts consider this to be the customers responsibility, but some hosts are willing and able to offer assistance during the upgrade process; this is something else you may want to ask your host about before signing up.

Finding a secure web hosting company will take some extra time and a host who enforces strong security practices may be a bit more costly, but selecting a secure web host can save you a lot of trouble in the long run by avoiding costly hacking attacks and sensitive data leaks. Between the combined efforts of your secure web host and your own efforts to keep your site secure, you can greatly reduce your risk of infection or intrusion and earn yourself some much needed peace of mind.