Tag Archive 'cpanel tutorial'

cPanel - Webalizer Tutorial

Webalizer is an efficient feature found within the cPanel control panel. This application is very capable and provides a GUI (Graphical User Interface) to analyze the statistics of your website. Not only does it detail the traffic generated, but it also displays them in comprehensive charts and graphs. This program alone makes cPanel one of the most efficient control panels available today.

Accessing Webalizer

To access the Webalizer program, you must first log into cPanel. From there you need to look for the icon labeled “Statistics”. Once you click on this icon, you will be directed to a page that includes the following choices:

Analog

Webalizer

Subdomain Stats

Latest Visitors

Bandwidth

Error Log

Of course you want to click on the “Webalizer” link. When the page loads, you will see a double-column table that says “Select A Domain”. This table contains the following categories:

- Domain - this area is composed of the domains that are currently associated to your web hosting account.

- View - when clicking on the “magnifying glass” icon of this category you will then be able to see the web statistics associated with your primary domain.

After selecting the domain you would like to view statistics for, a new page loads displaying a “Usage Summary”. Here you will find a graphical chart with the amount of activity for your web pages and files viewed, hits, visits and visiting web sites over the last twelve months. If your domain and website have not been active for a full year, Webalizer will only display activity for the appropriate months.

A second chart displays a “Summary by Month” log for the past twelve months. Similar to the first chart, this one will only display the appropriate months if your domain and website has not been active for a full year. It does differ from the fist chart by only displaying the actual number of hits, files, pages and files viewed, visits and visiting sites opposed to a graphical representation. To view statistics, simply click on any month listed in the appropriate column. Once the page loads, it will display the following links:

- Daily Statistics - displays both a bar and numbers chart that represents the number of hits, files and pages viewed, visits and more.

- Hourly Statistics - displays both a bar and numbers chart that represents the number of hits, files and pages viewed, visits and more

- URLs - displays a table with top links accessed on your website which includes hits and kilobytes associated with the URL

- Entry - displays a table with the top entry pages accessed on your website which includes hits and kilobytes associated with the URL

- Exit - displays a table with the top entry pages accessed on your website which includes hits and kilobytes associated with the URL

- Sites - displays a table with the top visitors or web hosting servers used to access your site which includes hits and kilobytes associated with their server

- Referrers - displays a table of referrers or URLs used when accessing your website which includes hits related to the referrer or URL

- Search - displays a table of top keywords visitors used to access your website through a search engine

- Agents - displays a table of top browsers such as Internet Explorer or FireFox along with the type of operating system used when accessing your website. This also includes hit associated with those entities

- Countries - displays a table of a specific country’s top visitors that accessed your website which includes hits and kilobytes associated with that country

Webalizer is without a doubt one of cPanel’s most effective features. It allows you to analyze the status of your website and make improvements where ever needed to enhance marketing efforts and it’s overall success.


cPanel - .htaccess and IP Deny Manager Tutorial

Web hosting providers using Apache servers are equipped with a number of configuration tools designed to help clients effectively administer their website. Few of these tools have the purpose and functionality of the .htaccess file, another handy feature found with the cPanel control panel. Though small, this file is quite powerful when put into action, giving users the ability to override the default settings of their hosting provider’s server.

.htaccess is merely a simple ASCII text file, yet it can be extended to perform many different functions. Some of its capabilities include password protecting the directories of your site, to preventing intrusion from malicious hackers and redirecting visitors to different locations on the web. In this article we will cover its unique ability to block IP addresses and specific domains.

Reasons to Block with .htaccess

The web contains a great number of sites hosting interactive member forums and blogs. These sites are often targeted by several spammers and malicious hackers. Website owners have been trying to come up with a solution to this issue for years with few results. However, the .htaccess file is a tool with the power to limit this intrusive activity and give you a bit of privacy by keeping out those IP addresses and domains causing all the ruckus.

.htaccess vs. IP Deny Manager

Although .htaccess files can be easily activated from within the cPanel, choosing whether to use them or not is a difficult call. This is a sensitive file with a lot of power, meaning it could inadvertently shut down your site or negatively impact the provider’s server when used incorrectly. For this reason, the IP Deny Manager may be a better solution, another feature of the cPanel which functions similar to .htaccess.

Just like the .htaccess file, the IP Deny Manager can be used to block IP addresses and domains from accessing your website. If there is a particular IP address or domain you wish to deny access, it can be done easily from the control panel by following these directions:

log into the cPanel account

locate the “site management” tab and click on “IP Deny Manager”

find the “Add IP Deny” field and type in the address you wish to block

click the “Add” tab

This activates the IP Deny Manager and keeps the internet intruders from harassing you. The only way they can gain access to the site is if you lift the ban. This can also be done using the .htaccess file or by simply selecting the IP from a drop-down box in the IP Deny Manager utility.

Both .htaccess and the IP Deny Manager are great solutions for protecting your website against unscrupulous characters. It can prevent data from being stolen and the spamming of your interactive features. Although .htaccess works well, the IP Deny Manager is the recommended choice as it will have no negative effects on your site or the provider’s server. If would like to try the .htaccess file, be sure to inquire within your web host and find out about their regulations before carrying on.


An Introduction to the Many Features of cPanel

These days, owning a website has become an obtainable goal to those with low-level designing skills, and minimal budgets as well. This is all made possible due to the current prevalence of the web hosting industry, along with the great features provided by individual companies. Even if you have no experience with programming scripts or designing a website, a good web hosting control panel can produce quality results that will make you look like a seasoned webmaster. While the type of control panel varies, cPanel is the most widely used and the preferred choice for many web hosts.

cPanel is a web-based application that allows you to control every aspect of your website. This program is now considered a standard due to its ease of use and extreme functionality. cPanel is highly compatible and works well on various Unix-like platforms along with popular web browsers such as Internet Explorer, FireFox and Opera.

Every feature provided by a web host can be accessed and administered within cPanel, giving you the ability to create a vibrant, interactive setting for family and friends to view or an e-commerce site to power your online business. Here is a brief overview of the amazing features included within cPanel.

Backup Facility

It’s easy to become so involved in running and promoting your business that critical aspects, such as data security, are overlooked. When using a web host equipped with cPanel, this will be something you no longer have to worry about. This control panel allows you to store backups of images, text and other essential content from your website, enabling you to recover quickly if an unlikely disaster happens to strike.

Email Management

Most web hosting companies provide their clients with multiple email accounts. Through cPanel, you can assign domains to your email accounts and also create autoresponders to enhance the level of customer service. cPanel also includes a spam filter to keep unsolicited messages of your inbox.

Statistics

You can actually measure the status of your website with useful tools such as Webalizer. This utility allows you to view the statistics of your site including the latest visitors, how long they stayed and how they found you. A powerful marketing tool, this handy component gives you the ability to analyze the amount of traffic on your site and make adjustments where needed.

Domains

Multiple domains is a great luxury offered by many web hosting companies. This feature allows you to create numerous web sites and manage them from a single interface - cPanel. For instance, you may want to separate the novels you’re selling from the web promotion services you offer. This is easy with cPanel as each of your services can be individually managed and designed with their own domain names.

Fantastico

One of cPanel’s best features is a dynamic utility called Fantastico. Fantastico works as an installer that allows you to implement a variety of programs such as Wordpress blogging software, and several content management systems likes Mambo and Joomla, increasing the functionality of your site with a simple click of the mouse.

Conclusion

The possibilities are endless when building a website with cPanel. This program is user-friendly on all levels with capabilities that exceed the norm. If you want complete control of your site, inquire within a web host to find if they offer cPanel.