This is the area many webmasters do not pay enough attention. They have no patience to go through it thoroughly and just scan through the contract terms. Don't be complacent about it. You might be severely affected if you don't read the TOS and AUP thoroughly.

Communicate in details before signing

Communication gap might lead to many problems at a later stage. Before signing a the contract with your web hosting company have a detailed communication with them. If you find any issue with the TOS or AUP, clarify with them.

Also ask for the support level you can expect from them. Always get a written commitment from them through email so that you can always have proof of agreed terms upon which you have signed the contract.

Always look for changes in TOS

TOS once signed may not remain the same for the entire period of your association with a web hosting provider. Check the web hosts's TOS from time to time and ensure that they properly inform you whenever a change is made.

Some changes in TOS may affect you and the way you manage your websites. Some TOS may contain the term that they have the discretion to make changes in it without informing the clients. So it is your responsibility to protect your interests. Ask the host either through phone or email if there are any changes in their legal terms and conditions.

Take Care while installing free scripts

Care should be taken while installing free scripts. Most of these scripts are from open sources and are pet sources for those indulging in exploitations and hacking. Cracked or nullified scripts should not be installed for any reason.

Buy scripts online, only from the sources which send them directly. Never buy them from those selling a bunch of them or from a cracker site that makes your installed script vulnerable for exploitation.

Look for suspicious file in your website

Hackers are penetrating even a highly secured site. It will be easy for them to invade your site through any unsecured scripts you have installed previously.

The hackers will install some unknown files and use your domain for spamming or any other unethical or illegal activities or to attack a network or server without you knowing it. You site will be marked as bad guy and you will lose everything you are getting from your site.

Check your website files every now and then. This will help you to detect if there is any unknown file. Change your hosting password from time to time and inform your hosting company if you find any suspicious file on your websites.

Avoid uploading illegal and unallowable contents

Some webmasters without knowing it are uploading illegal stuffs in their website. The illegal things include copyrighted materials like pictures graphics, photos and text materials. The other copyrighted files that are upload inadvertently are MP3 files, scripts, software and zipped files.

Take care not to include unallowable contents like nudity, porn, cracks and other banned materials. Most of the hosts don't want to face problem and they are worried about these illegal and unallowable contents. They will close your website without notice either by themselves or when someone complains about your website having these banned and illegal contents. If you have valid license or permission to use them, you have to defend it with legality in case your host shut down your website.

Don't ignore on your backups

It is an important task of the webmasters to take up the backup files of their website. Ignoring this task may land you in trouble if you happen to face threat to your website. Your website may encounter the following type of threats which necessitates the backups of your website.

server downtime
Hardware failure at the data center
software problems
problem raised during server transfers
virus penetration
Hacking of your website
Connectivity problems and Network failures
Fire, flood or other accidents at the Data center
Labor problem or strike at your hosting company
Legal battles involving hosting company
Hosting provider becoming bankruptcy

These are all real threats you may face. It is wise to have your website backup to pursue a successful online business.

A successful online business needs a secured website with uninterrupted access. Protecting your website from the risks is vital and should be one of your routine website development activities.

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