A private server is a physical computer the individual can own and operate. It will have all of the software, operating systems, and programs in place to help provide some essential services you need online, including email. It is just a machine, including a virtual machine, that a private administrator such as OVHcloud, BlueHost, or GoDaddy manages. It is a system that just your business and no one else will use.
As servers need a good internet connection, enough power to run, and can be noisy, it is common for them to be found in a colocation center rather than in the central hub of the business. You can also have a private email server, which would be the entire email system offered through a remote server. You can choose to either have a private email server or make the whole server private to provide more safety and security for your customers and data.
There is a lot of freedom in having a private server. Since it does give you more control and can protect some of your movements online, some businesses and individuals may choose to create one. Still, there are better options for everyone due to the amount of time it takes to build one up, the expense of creating one, and the fact that you need to maintain it. You will need to look at your business needs and determine if a private server makes sense for you.
Can I Restrict Websites On My Private Server?
When you create a private server for your use, it does not have any website restrictions on it to start with. You can use it just like you would with a regular server, reaching any of the websites you would like. When first set up, you will have free access and can choose who will be able to get onto the server and who will need to stay off it.
Once you have the private server up and running, you can go through and place any restrictions on it based on your preferences. One of the first restrictions you may place on the private server is who is allowed to be on it. You can choose only to put yourself on that list, if you wish.
However, if you use the private server for business, you can select which employees are allowed access and their roles. It is possible to provide different permissions to each employee based on the tasks they complete for you and their seniority level within the company.
After establishing who can be on the private server, you also need to take the time to figure out which websites you would like your employees to use. If you want to have a private server to keep information secure and monitor who is coming and going from the business, then don’t put any restrictions on the websites used.
However, restricting some of the websites you allow your employees to use may be a good idea to get all the protection possible from a private server. These can include inappropriate sites or ones that tend to cause harm and try to place malware on your system.
Some companies may limit social media accounts and certain types of email to encourage employees to focus more on their work and less on other activities. You can work with an IT professional to determine which websites to block on the private server.
Should I Block Websites on My Private Server?
Suppose you plan to have a private server. In that case, the main reason is to enjoy additional security when your employees are online. You want to make sure that any information and data shared is private and hard to trace. You do not want to risk your employees’ and customers’ personal and financial information when you are online. It is a good idea to block websites that could cause harm on the private server.
Several websites make it easier for hackers to gain access to your system and steal that valuable information. You obviously want to block those from gaining access and causing a big mess for you. Your IT specialist will be able to help you with this. Your IT professional will talk to you about the pros and cons of adding or restricting a variety of websites to keep you safe and can unblock websites that you may have previously blocked.
Should I Have a Private Server for My Business?
Most companies do not need a private server for them to get their work done each day. If they use a strong email and consider a private cloud, they will have all the security they need without the additional infrastructure and costs of the private server. They should also take the time to discuss proper safety and security when online with their employees to ensure there is less risk of an attack when anyone is working.
A few companies may find that having a private server can make them more effective. Before committing to it, they should still shop around and see what options exist. These private servers take a lot of time to set up and can also cost your business a lot of money. You must complete your research to figure out whether it is efficient and worth the additional costs to you.
You can then look at some of the restrictions you would like to place on the private server and whether that will help provide more security and safety to your employees and customers.
The Bottom Line
A private server can make a lot of sense for many companies, but it is not a requirement for everyone; you need to look at your business model and figure out what makes the most sense for what you need. You can determine what websites, if any, you would like to block or restrict for yourself and your employees. This can help improve the security that you have around your business too. You are in control if you decide to go with a private server.