Securing Your Free PHP Hosted Website -Essential Tips

1. Securing Your Free PHP Hosted Website -Essential Tips Free PHP hosting sounds like a dream especially for beginners, students, or anyone launching a small project. With just a few clicks, you get a working server, a database, a file manager, and the ability to deploy real websites without spending a rupee. But here’s the truth most people learn only after a painful wake-up call: Free hosting is convenient, until your website gets hacked, wiped, or injected with malware.

2. Security isn’t optional even on a free server. If anything, you must be twice as careful, because free hosting often comes with limitations that attract vulnerabilities. This guide walks you through why free PHP hosting is risky and how you can secure your site with simple, practical steps, even if you’re not a cybersecurity expert. Why Free PHP Hosting Is Risky Free hosting platforms are generous but they are not built with advanced security in mind. Here are the major risks you must understand: 1. Shared Server Environment You are not the only one hosting a website on the server. A single compromised website on the same server can become a gateway to yours. 2. Limited Security Controls Free hosting often restricts:

3. ●Custom firewall rules ●Advanced .htaccess configurations ●Server-level monitoring ●SSH access ●Custom email security This makes your website more exposed. 3. Resource Limitations Low CPU, RAM, and storage mean: ●Higher chance of DDoS overload ●Poor server response times ●No automatic malware detection 4. Outdated PHP Versions Some free hosts still run older, vulnerable PHP versions like 5.6 or 7.0 — which are no longer supported. 5. No Automated Backups

4. If something goes wrong, your data is gone instantly. Understanding these risks is the first step toward securing your PHP website. Best Free PHP Hosting Providers (Full Breakdown) Free PHP hosting platforms vary widely in reliability, features, and restrictions. Below is a detailed breakdown of the best free PHP hosting providers, including what they offer, why they stand out, and the pros and cons to help you choose. 1. GoogieHost-A Feature-Rich Free PHP Hosting Platform

5. GoogieHost is one of the most generous free hosting platforms available today. It provides a surprisingly professional environment where you can host PHP websites without paying a single rupee. Unlike many free hosts that force ads or limit your control, GoogieHost allows you to work with a real cPanel-like interface, free SSL, and MySQL support. It’s an ideal pick for students and beginners looking for a realistic hosting experience. Key Features ●Free SSL certificate ●PHP & MySQL support ●Website builder + cPanel-like panel ●Email accounts ●No forced ads ●SSD-boosted speed Why Choose GoogieHost GoogieHost is one of the few free providers that feels like premium shared hosting. You get the flexibility to install PHP apps, manage files,

6. edit databases, and even connect custom domains — all without hidden charges. Pros ●Realistic hosting experience ●Good uptime for a free host ●Free SSL & custom domain support ●Beginner-friendly Cons ●Limited monthly server resources ●Support response times may be slow 2. Tiiny.Host-Best for Simple Static + Light PHP Projects

7. Tiiny.host is not a full-fledged PHP hosting platform, but it’s perfect for users who want a super-easy way to publish lightweight sites or demos online. While it is known mainly for static hosting, their paid tiers support more functionality. For small PHP-based landing pages or simple tools, users can still leverage Tiiny.host with its minimalistic approach. Key Features ●One-click website publishing ●Drag-and-drop deployment ●Fast global CDN ●Very clean and simple panel Why Choose Tiiny.Host Choose Tiiny.host if you value simplicity over control. It’s ideal for showcasing projects, demos, or micro-sites where heavy PHP processing isn’t required. Pros ●Easiest hosting experience

8. ●Fast and minimal interface ●Great for beginners Cons ●Limited PHP support ●Not suitable for full PHP applications ●Fewer security controls 3. AwardSpace-Trusted & Reliable Free PHP Hosting AwardSpace is one of the oldest free hosting companies, with a track record of providing stable, ad-free hosting for small projects. It supports PHP, MySQL, and a custom control panel that allows quick installations.

9. For developers wanting a trustworthy host for learning or prototyping, AwardSpace remains a popular choice. Key Features ●100% ad-free hosting ●PHP & MySQL support ●One-click CMS installer ●99% uptime guarantee ●Email accounts included Why Choose AwardSpace It’s a reliable, old-school hosting provider that doesn’t compromise on stability. This makes it great for beginners who want a test environment or small dynamic PHP site. Pros ●Very stable free hosting ●No ads ●Reliable uptime ●Friendly for learners

10. Cons ●Limited storage and bandwidth ●Older-style control panel ●Slow performance under heavy load 4. InfinityFree -Unlimited Bandwidth With PHP Support InfinityFree is famous for offering “unlimited” bandwidth, making it one of the most flexible free PHP hosting providers for busy or growing projects. It offers free SSL, multiple PHP versions, and excellent uptime for a free host. Beginners and students love it for running practical PHP projects without restrictions.

11. Key Features ●Unlimited bandwidth ●Free SSL ●PHP & MySQL support ●Softaculous auto-installer ●No forced ads Why Choose InfinityFree If you expect traffic or need flexibility, InfinityFree provides surprisingly good performance for a free host. Its lack of ads and unlimited data is a huge plus. Pros ●Unlimited bandwidth ●Very reliable uptime ●Modern PHP version support ●Great for testing & learning Cons ●Occasional slow server response

12. ●No email hosting in the free plan ●Support is community-based 5. ProFreeHost -A Simple, Unlimited-Style Free Host ProFreeHost offers a clean, straightforward hosting experience with unlimited disk space and bandwidth for small or medium PHP projects. It uses the same backend infrastructure as InfinityFree but with different panel styling. For users wanting a simple, no-frills hosting setup, ProFreeHost is a solid choice. Key Features ●Unlimited storage & bandwidth

13. ●PHP & MySQL support ●Free SSL ●Easy-to-use panel ●No forced ads Why Choose ProFreeHost Choose ProFreeHost if your focus is simplicity and you want a PHP hosting provider that gives plenty of free resources, especially for learning or small applications. Pros ●Generous free resources ●Good for students ●Supports custom domains ●Simple dashboard Cons ●Server performance varies ●Limited customer support ●Restrictions on certain scripts

14. 6. AeonFree -New-Age Unlimited Free Hosting With PHP 8.2 AeonFree is a newer hosting platform but has quickly gained popularity for offering premium-like features at no cost. Users get unlimited storage, PHP 8.2 support, free SSL, free subdomains, and no forced advertising — all in a clean, modern control panel. Key Features ●Unlimited storage & bandwidth ●PHP 5.6 to PHP 8.2 ●Free SSL

15. ●Softaculous installer ●No forced ads ●Custom domain support Why Choose AeonFree It’s one of the few free hosts offering PHP 8.2, making it a good pick for modern development. Its fast interface and powerful resource allocation also make it ideal for students and hobby developers. Pros ●Supports latest PHP versions ●Unlimited resources ●Very beginner-friendly ●No forced advertising Cons ●Newer company — long-term stability unknown ●Occasional maintenance downtime ●Support mostly via knowledge base

16. Detailed Security Measures for Free PHP Hosting Below are practical security actions you can take immediately. 1. Use HTTPS with Free SSL Even free hosts now support Let’s Encrypt SSL. HTTPS: ●Encrypts user data ●Protects login forms ●Prevents man-in-the-middle attacks ●Boosts SEO If your hosting doesn’t provide SSL → use Cloudflare’s free SSL.

17. 2. Secure Your PHP Configuration Modify or add a php.ini or .htaccess file to disable risky functions: disable_functions = exec,passthru,shell_exec,system,proc_open,popen Also enable: ●display_errors = Off ●error_reporting = E_ALL ●log_errors = On This prevents attackers from seeing sensitive error details. 3. Protect Your Admin Panel

18. Never use default admin URLs like: ●/admin ●/login Rename them to something less predictable, like: /secure-dashboard-login Also: ●Limit login attempts ●Enable 2FA (if available) ●Use strong passwords A simple change can prevent brute-force attacks.

19. 4. Harden Your Database Use a strong database password Get Deepika Verma’s stories in your inbox Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer. Subscribe Avoid using: ●root ●admin ●123456 ●yourdomain123 Restrict database privileges

20. Only give necessary permissions to each user: ●SELECT ●INSERT ●UPDATE ●DELETE Avoid granting: ●DROP ●ALTER ●FILE Unless required. 5. File Permissions Use secure permissions: ●Folders: 755 ●Files: 644

21. Never set anything to 777, even on free hosting. 6. Update Your PHP Version & Scripts Outdated versions = guaranteed vulnerability. Always update: ●PHP version ●CMS (WordPress, Joomla, etc.) ●Plugins ●Themes ●Custom scripts 7. Enable .htaccess Protection

22. Add server-level security rules: Block directory browsing Options -Indexes Protect .htaccess and config files <FilesMatch “(\.htaccess|\.env|config\.php)”> Order Allow,Deny Deny from all </FilesMatch> Limit file types from executing

23. <Files *.php> allow from all </Files> <FilesMatch “\.(jpg|png|css|js)$”> allow from all </FilesMatch> 8. Use Cloudflare Free Firewall Press enter or click to view image in full size

24. Cloudflare adds: ●DDoS protection ●WAF rules ●Bot filtering ●SSL ●DNS reliability It’s a must for free hosting users. 9. Regular Backups Always maintain local copies of:

25. ●Website files ●Database Use tools like: ●phpMyAdmin export ●Hosting backup manager Cloudflare R2 (cheap storage) Security Checklist (With Explanations)

26. Use this checklist weekly or monthly to ensure your free PHP website stays secure. A security checklist helps you quickly verify that your PHP website is protected against common attacks like SQL injection, brute force attempts, malware uploads, and unauthorized access. Below is a detailed breakdown of each item so even beginners understand what it does and why it matters. 1. Install SSL (HTTPS)

27. Enabling SSL encrypts all communication between your visitors and your website. This protects login details, form submissions, and sensitive information from being intercepted. Why it matters: ●Prevents man-in-the-middle attacks ●Boosts Google rankings ●Builds trust with visitors 2. Update PHP to the Latest Version

28. Older PHP versions have publicly known vulnerabilities. Updating to the latest stable version ensures your hosting environment is protected against exploits. What it prevents: ●Code injection ●Memory-based attacks ●Compatibility issues with modern scripts

29. 3. Disable Dangerous PHP Functions Functions like exec, shell_exec, and system allow attackers to run server commands. You can disable them via php.ini or .htaccess. Why it matters: ●Blocks malware from executing commands ●Prevents shell access ●Reduces damage after a breach

30. 4. Use Strong and Unique Passwords Never reuse passwords across hosting panels, databases, or admin dashboards. Use strong, complex, unique passwords for every login. Risks reduced: ●Brute-force attacks ●Credential stuffing ●Database compromise

31. 5. Rename Admin Login URLs Default admin URLs like /admin or /login are predictable. Renaming them adds a layer of obscurity. Benefits: ●Reduces automated bot attacks ●Cuts brute-force attempts ●Protects CMS dashboards 6. Set Correct File & Folder Permissions Wrong permissions give hackers full access to your files. Using the recommended values keeps your site safe. Best practice:

32. ●Folders: 755 ●Files: 644 Why: ●Prevents unauthorized scripts from running ●Protects configuration files 7. Add .htaccess Security Rules Your .htaccess file controls many server-level security features. Adding rules blocks suspicious access, disables directory listing, and protects sensitive files. Protects against:

33. ●File exposure ●Unwanted redirects ●Access to configuration files 8. Use Cloudflare Firewall Cloudflare adds a powerful security layer, even on free plans. It filters bots, blocks attacks, and provides DDoS protection. What it helps with: ●Bad bot filtering ●SQLi & XSS rule blocking ●Traffic monitoring 9. Enable Automatic Weekly or Monthly Backups

34. A backup is your recovery plan. If your website is hacked, deleted, or corrupted, backups allow you to restore everything. Why it’s essential: ●Saves time during emergencies ●Protects from data loss ●Lets you test risky changes safely 10. Restrict Database Privileges Your database users should have the minimum rights required for the website to function. Example: Do NOT give DROP, ALTER, or FILE unless necessary.

35. Benefits: ●Limits damage if hackers get access ●Protects your database structure ●Reduces risk of data deletion Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them 1. Using Default Admin Passwords Always change them immediately. 2. Uploading Themes/plugins from Unknown Sources Use only trusted repositories. 3. Leaving Sensitive Files Public Such as: ●/backup.zip ●/config.php.save ●/phpinfo.php

36. Delete or protect these files. 4. Ignoring PHP Error Messages Errors often reveal: ●server paths ●database names ●login methods Turn off display_errors. 5. Not Updating Regularly Most attacks exploit outdated software not clever hacking. Recommended Tools for Scanning & Monitoring Website Security Scanners ●Sucuri SiteCheck— Free malware scanner ●Quttera Scanner— Detects malware injections ●VirusTotal— Check uploaded files

37. Monitoring Tools ●UptimeRobot— Alerts if your site goes down ●Cloudflare Analytics— Tracks unusual traffic ●Free log analyzers in your hosting panel Code & File Security ●PHPStan— Detect risky code ●SonarCloud— Code vulnerability scanner FAQs 1. Is free PHP hosting safe to use? Yes, it can be safe — but only if you secure it properly. Free hosting lacks advanced protections, so you must take extra steps such as enabling SSL, securing your database, and using Cloudflare. 2. Can I host a real, public website on free PHP hosting? Yes, free hosting works for small projects, personal websites, portfolios, and learning. However, for high-traffic or business sites, paid hosting is recommended for better performance and security.

38. 3. Do free hosting providers support PHP and MySQL? Most do. Providers like GoogieHost, InfinityFree, AwardSpace, and AeonFree fully support PHP and MySQL, including database creation, editing, and connecting through PHP scripts. 4. Is SSL available on free PHP hosting? Yes. Many free hosts offer free SSL certificates via Let’s Encrypt. If your host doesn’t support it, you can enable it through Cloudflare at no cost. 5. Which free PHP hosting provider is best for beginners? GoogieHost and InfinityFree are great for beginners due to their reliability, free SSL support, and beginner-friendly dashboards. Conclusion Securing a free PHP-hosted website isn’t just a recommendation it’s a necessity. While free hosting platforms are incredibly helpful for students, beginners, and small projects, they come with clear limitations that can expose your site to vulnerabilities if left unprotected.

39. The good news? Even without paying for premium hosting, you can dramatically strengthen your website’s security by applying simple, practical measures like HTTPS, securing your admin panel, updating PHP versions, tightening file permissions, and using Cloudflare’s free protection. With the right hosting provider and a strong security foundation, your website can run smoothly, safely, and reliably even on a zero-cost plan. Remember, the goal isn’t just to host your site for free, but to keep it safe, stable, and future-ready. Follow the checklist, avoid the common mistakes, and you’ll already be ahead of 90% of beginner developers.