A VPS is generally as secure as a private dedicated server. Ultimately how secure your virtual private server is depends on the steps you take to securing it. Specific Virtual Private Server plans are available that include DDoS protection (distributed denial of service attacks) as well.

If you are just looking to host a simple website or blog and do not anticipate much traffic/visitors, then starting off with a shared hosting account might be a cost effective and fast way to get set up.
If you are looking to do more than host a website (i.e. run scripts, develop programs, host a game server, host a VOIP server, and so on…), or if you run a busy website/database – then a VPS is the way to go, given the extra control and scalable resources that it has to offer.

Most VPS providers provide a VPS control panel where you will be able to administrate your server’s state – this is usually powered by either SolusVM, Virtualizor, or a custom control panel solution that your hosting provider utilizes. Within this control panel, you will be able to start, stop, restart, console, or even re-install your server’s operating system.

Every project has different needs and takes different demands. You should consider numerous factors when determining how much storage space you might need, such as the operating system, and the type of projects/applications you’ll be hosting on the server. Nowadays, VPS hosting is generally scalable and can be upgraded – so it’s not the end of the world if you run out of storage.

Yes, VPS’s generally include a dedicated IPv4 address. If your provider advertises that they are providing you with a “NAT IP” – then be aware that this is not a dedicated IP. Otherwise, if there is no such indication – your VPS runs on a dedicated IPv4 address. Don’t hesitate to contact your hosting provider for further clarification.

To log into a Linux based VPS (i.e. CentOS, Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora) you would utilize an SSH client such as PuTTY or WinSCP.
To access a Windows based VPS, you would use Remote Desktop Connection, making it very simple and similar to your at-home Windows based desktop computer.

A VPS is a Virtual Private Server. It is a private server which is exclusively yours to use, and can be installed with any operating system of your choice. A VPS service provides you with a carved out amount of resources that are dedicated to you (and not shared with anyone else). A VPS gives you more resources and flexibility compared to shared hosting.

VPS hosting is technically a combination between both shared hosting and dedicated hosting.

With dedicated servers, you rent out an entire server, which can get pretty expensive fast. With shared hosting, you end up renting a portion of a server that’s shared with other users. Shared hosting is a solid option for beginners, as it’s generally much cheaper and provides you with the necessary resources to get your site started.