If you administer Linux or Unix systems from a Windows machine, three capabilities are non-negotiable: a secure terminal, reliable file transfer, and sane key management. PuTTY delivers all three in a single GUI bundle, while OpenSSH provides the same core functionality natively on Linux. This guide explains exactly what PuTTY is, when to use it, […]

When you provision a fresh Linux server — whether it's a VPS, a dedicated server, or a cloud-hosted virtual machine — the system boots into a deliberately minimalist and hardened environment. This is not an oversight or an incomplete setup. It is an intentional design philosophy baked into every major Linux distribution. Modern Linux server […]

If you've recently purchased a Dedicated Server based on the Apple Mac Mini M1 from AlexHost, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to establish a secure, reliable remote desktop connection using RealVNC — the tool officially recommended by the AlexHost team. Whether you're a developer, designer, or systems administrator, […]

Monitoring open and listening ports on a Linux system is one of the most fundamental practices for maintaining server security, diagnosing network issues, and managing your infrastructure effectively. Whether you are running a production web server, a VPS Hosting environment, or a Dedicated Server, understanding exactly which ports are open — and which services are […]

Keeping your IP address off spam blacklists is critical for email deliverability, service reputation, and uninterrupted operations. Whether you run a mail server, a SaaS platform, or a web application, a single blacklist entry can silently block your outbound emails and erode customer trust overnight. In this comprehensive guide, you will learn how to build […]

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks remain one of the most disruptive and costly threats facing online businesses, web applications, and hosting infrastructure today. Whether you run a small e-commerce site or manage enterprise-level servers, understanding how DDoS attacks work — and how they map to specific layers of the OSI model — is the […]

In an era where cyberattacks, spam campaigns, and phishing schemes are growing more sophisticated by the day, choosing the right hosting environment is no longer just a technical decision — it's a critical business one. Secure hosting has emerged as a specialized category of web hosting designed to minimize abuse, protect sensitive data, and maintain […]

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is a cryptographic protocol designed to establish an encrypted, authenticated link between a web server and a client — most commonly a web browser. Its core function is to ensure that every byte of data transmitted between these two endpoints remains private, tamper-proof, and verifiable. Although SSL has technically been superseded […]

WordPress powers over 43% of all websites on the internet — and with that dominance comes a significant attack surface. One of the most frequently exploited entry points is a file called xmlrpc.php. Whether you're a seasoned developer or a site owner managing your first WordPress installation, understanding what this file does, why it's dangerous, […]

Nginx is one of the most widely deployed web servers in the world, celebrated for its exceptional performance, low memory footprint, and ability to handle thousands of concurrent connections. When combined with HTTP/2, Nginx becomes an even more powerful platform — enabling multiplexed requests, header compression, server push, and dramatically reduced page load times. This […]