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Strengthening Albania’s Internet: Host.al Launches K-root Node in partnership with RIPE NCC

Host.al

We at Host.al are proud and excited to announce that we have officially launched Albania’s very first K-root server, in partnership with RIPE NCC. This makes Host.al the only company in Albania currently hosting a K-root node, significantly contributing to Albania’s internet stability, resilience, and overall performance.

What are K-root nodes?
K-root nodes are critical parts of the global internet infrastructure managed by RIPE NCC. They form part of the Domain Name System (DNS), which translates human-readable domain names (like www.example.com) into IP addresses that computers use to communicate. Hosting a K-root node locally reduces latency and increases the reliability and speed of DNS resolution, enhancing the overall internet experience. Host.al network is connected via a local Internet Exchange point to most of the Albanian ISPs, providing very low latency and fast connection from any connection in Albania.

The internet has revolutionized the way we live, work, and connect with each other. At Host.al, we deeply appreciate the immense value the internet has brought into our lives, and we feel a responsibility to actively contribute back to this global network.

Hosting a K-root node means we provide essential infrastructure that enhances internet speed, reduces latency, and improves the resilience of Albania’s connectivity. It helps ensure a stable and secure internet experience for everyone in Albania, directly benefiting internet users, businesses, and institutions alike.

This milestone underscores Host.al’s ongoing commitment to supporting the local and global internet community. Hosting this server free of charge is our way of expressing gratitude and giving back to a technology that continuously empowers us. A list of all the k-root servers around Europe can be found at: https://www.ripe.net/analyse/dns/k-root/

We are thrilled about this new chapter and look forward to continuing our efforts to strengthen Albania’s internet infrastructure.

For more information on our services and our contribution to the internet community, please visit our website at www.host.al.

Host.al obtains ISO 27001:2022 Certification: What This Means for Our Customers

Host.al

A New Milestone in Information Security

We are proud to announce that Host.al has successfully achieved ISO 27001:2022 certification, the gold standard for information security management systems worldwide. This certification represents our unwavering commitment to protecting your data and maintaining the highest security standards in the hosting industry.

What is ISO 27001:2022?

ISO 27001:2022 is the latest version of the internationally recognized standard that outlines best practices for information security management systems (ISMS). This certification:

  • Verifies that an organization has identified the risks to its information security
  • Confirms the implementation of appropriate controls to address these risks
  • Demonstrates a comprehensive management process to ensure controls meet security needs over time

Why This Matters to our customers?!

As a Host.al customer, this certification brings several tangible benefits:

Enhanced Data Protection

Our customer’s sensitive information is protected by security measures that meet rigorous international standards. Our systems are designed to safeguard against unauthorized access, data breaches, and other security threats.

Reduced Risk

Our systematic approach to risk assessment means we proactively identify and mitigate potential security vulnerabilities before they can affect our customer’s services.

Business Continuity

Our certified processes ensure that even in the event of a security incident, we can maintain service availability and protect our customer’s data with minimal disruption.

Regulatory Compliance

Many industries require working with vendors who maintain strong security credentials. Our ISO 27001:2022 certification helps our customer’s meet their own compliance requirements.

Competitive Advantage

By choosing a hosting provider with ISO 27001:2022 certification, our customer’s demonstrate that they take data security seriously.

Our Certification Journey

Achieving ISO 27001:2022 certification was a rigorous process that involved:

  1. Comprehensive Security Assessment: We conducted a thorough evaluation of our information security risks and existing controls.
  2. Policy Development: We enhanced our security policies and procedures to align with ISO 27001:2022 requirements.
  3. Implementation: We deployed additional security controls and strengthened existing ones across our organization.
  4. Staff Training: All Host.al team members received specialized training on information security best practices.
  5. External Audit: An independent certification body conducted a detailed audit of our ISMS to verify compliance.

Our Ongoing Commitment

This certification is not the end of our security journey, but rather a confirmation of our ongoing commitment. We will continue to:

  • Regularly review and update our security measures
  • Conduct internal audits to ensure compliance
  • Undergo annual surveillance audits by the certification body
  • Stay current with evolving security threats and countermeasures

Experience Secure Hosting with Host.al

Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, you can trust Host.al to provide hosting solutions that prioritize the security and integrity of your data. Our ISO 27001:2022 certification is just one more reason why businesses across Albania and beyond choose Host.al for their hosting needs.

Contact our team today to learn more about our secure hosting solutions.

Download our ISO 27001:2022 Certificate

NodeJS Hosting with Host.al

Host.al

At Host.al, we are always looking for ways to provide developers with flexible, powerful, and easy-to-use hosting solutions. That’s why we are excited to offer Node.js hosting through Coolify, an open-source alternative to platforms like Heroku and DigitalOcean’s App Platform.

Why Choose Coolify for Node.js Hosting?

Coolify simplifies the deployment and management of applications by offering a self-hosted platform with a user-friendly interface. Here are some of the key advantages of using Coolify for your Node.js projects:

  • One-Click Deployment: Push your code to GitHub or GitLab, and Coolify will automatically build and deploy your application.
  • Docker-Based Hosting: Ensures scalability and easy management of dependencies.
  • Custom Domains & SSL: Easily configure your domain and get a free SSL certificate.
  • Scalability: Deploy multiple applications on the same server without conflicts.
  • Built-in Database Support: Coolify supports PostgreSQL, MySQL, and MongoDB, making it an excellent choice for full-stack development.

How Host.al Supports Node.js Hosting with Coolify

At Host.al, we provide optimized servers tailored for Coolify hosting, ensuring a seamless experience for Node.js developers. Here’s what you can expect:

1. Pre-Installed Coolify

Skip the hassle of setup—our hosting packages come with Coolify pre-installed and configured, so you can start deploying applications immediately.

2. Optimized Performance

Our servers are equipped with high-performance SSDs, ample RAM, and powerful CPUs, ensuring your Node.js applications run smoothly.

3. Seamless Git Integration

With our Coolify hosting, you can link your GitHub or GitLab repository, allowing for automatic builds and deployments with every commit.

4. Custom Domains & SSL

Configure your custom domains effortlessly and take advantage of automatic SSL certificates for secure connections.

5. 24/7 Support

Our team is available around the clock to assist you with any deployment or hosting issues.

Getting Started with Node.js Hosting on Coolify

Step 1: Choose a Coolify-Optimized Server

Select a server plan from Host.al that best fits your needs. We offer various configurations to match your project’s requirements.

Step 2: Connect Your Git Repository

Link your GitHub or GitLab repository with Coolify. This will allow for automated deployments whenever you push updates.

Step 3: Configure Environment Variables

Set up your environment variables directly from the Coolify dashboard to match your application’s needs.

Step 4: Deploy and Monitor

With a single click, deploy your Node.js application. Coolify provides real-time logs and monitoring tools to keep track of your app’s performance.

Why Host Your Node.js App with Host.al?

Choosing Host.al means getting a developer-friendly and high-performance hosting solution tailored for modern web applications. With Coolify’s seamless deployment capabilities and our reliable infrastructure, you can focus on building your app while we handle the hosting.

🚀 Ready to deploy your Node.js app? Check out our Coolify hosting plans and get started today!

How to host a secure government website in Albania

Host.al

Albania is under cyberattack! For several months, groups linked to geopolitical commitments have placed Albania at the center of their target. Although nothing can be 100% protected from cyberattacks, some work practices can help increase the protection of sensitive data of Albanian citizens.

Më poshtë disa praktika që mund të ndihmojnë në rritjen e sigurisë së faqeve qeveritare në Shqipëri:

Everything behind using a Virtual Private Network (VPN)​

In at least two of the recent incidents reported in Albania, the problems with penetration into the servers of Albanian public institutions occurred through the exploitation of a security point in Microsoft Exchange where the security update (patch) was not applied in a timely manner. See: Microsoft investigates Iranian attacks against the Albanian government

A key strategy in increasing security is implementing Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to protect interfaces that should only be opened to authorized employees. A VPN serves as a secure tunnel for transmitting data over the internet, encrypting the data during transmission. For government offices, this means that all communications between digital system interfaces are protected from unauthorized access. This encryption is especially important considering the sensitive nature of government data, which often includes personal information, financial records, and national security details. By routing all customer interactions through a VPN, government offices can significantly reduce the risk of data breaches and cyber espionage, ensuring that sensitive information remains confidential and secure.

Dynamic website: The special part of the database

Most websites built today are based on dynamic solutions, offering the ability to update news and any component of the website with a few clicks. These websites often require a scripting engine, or a powerful platform that supports advanced communication languages. Often, especially for small agencies on websites, 90% of the content of the website remains unchanged until the moment the headline and the website page are changed. However, these websites are programmed as if every element of them can be changed at any moment.

Regarding security, before building a site, ask the webmaster if it is possible to create a platform where editing information is done in an area protected by a VPN, while publishing the site is a compiled HTML page, which does not need to exchange information with a database. A webserver created only to provide a page in HTML, without having to connect to a database (where other information and databases are often stored) is much more secure than a webserver that needs to connect to a database. You are trying to generate a simple page in HTML. If you are wondering, the page you are visiting is created only with HTML and has no connection to a database.

Hosting on dedicated or shared servers?​

Shared Hosting is very cheap, but it comes with the risk of being in an environment with other sites, and often, the webmasters of these sites themselves do not know where they got the scripts they are loading on the site. For security reasons, always look for hosting only on dedicated servers or VPS, which is a more economical version.

Përditësimet e sigurisë​

Maintaining the security and efficiency of a server is a key aspect of managing any online service or website. The process of installing and regularly updating your server is essential to protect against vulnerabilities, malware, and other cyber threats. Whether you should do the server upgrade yourself or hire an agency depends on various factors including your level of expertise, resource availability, and the complexity of your server environment. Let’s examine the benefits and disadvantages of both approaches.

Server update​

Përfitimet:

  • Cost-effective: Doing it yourself can save money that would otherwise go to an agency. For small businesses or startups, this can be an important factor.
  • Direct Control: You have direct control over the update process, including when and how updates are applied. This can be essential for custom configurations or specific compatibility requirements.
  • Zhvillimi i Aftësive: Menaxhimi i sigurisë së serverit tuaj mund t’ju ndihmojë ju ose ekipin tuaj të zhvillojë aftësi teknike të vlefshme.

Disavantazhet:

  • Time: Staying up to date with the latest vulnerabilities and updates can be time-consuming, especially for businesses without a dedicated IT department.
  • Risk of Errors: Without the proper expertise, there is a higher risk of errors during the update process, which could lead to outages or security breaches.
  • Resource Allocation: The time and effort spent on updating could be better invested in your core business activities.

Punësimi i një Agjencie​

Përfitimet:

  • Ekspertiza: Agjencitë janë të specializuara në menaxhimin dhe sigurinë e serverit, duke sjellë një nivel ekspertize që mund të ulë ndjeshëm rrezikun e kërcënimeve kibernetike.
  • Time Saving: Leasing server maintenance allows you to focus on your business instead of the technicalities of server management.
  • Comprehensive services: Many agencies offer a range of services, including monitoring, backup, and recovery, providing a comprehensive server maintenance solution.

Disavantazhet:

  • Kostoja: Punësimi i një agjencie është më i shtrenjtë se të bërit vetë, që mund të mos jetë e realizueshme për të gjitha bizneset.
  • Less control: Leasing can result in less direct control over the update process and server configurations, which can be a concern for businesses with specific compliance or operational needs.
  • Varësia: Mbështetja në një agjenci të jashtme për mirëmbajtjen e serverit mund të krijojë një varësi, që mund të shkaktojë probleme nëse niveli i shërbimit nuk përmbush pritshmëritë ose nëse disponueshmëria e agjencisë ndryshon.

Përfundim​

The decision to update your server yourself or hire an agency should be based on a careful assessment of your specific business needs, resources, and risk tolerance. For businesses with the technical skills and resources, self-updating can be a cost-effective way to keep your server secure. However, for organizations without dedicated IT staff or those who prefer to focus on their core operations, hiring an agency can provide flexibility, expertise, and more time to focus on growing your business. Ultimately, it is essential that your server is regularly updated and kept secure, regardless of the method you choose.