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Getting Started with WordPress

May 5, 2017

What is WordPress? WordPress is the World’s most popular blogging software. WordPress software is free and open-source, features lots of themes, plugins, a visual editor, and an active and supportive user and developer community. CMS vs. Blog WordPress is best known as a blogging tool, but technically it’s a CMS, or content management system. A CMS is more than just a blog, and in fact, it doesn’t have to be used for blogging at all. A CMS is primarily a tool for managing the files, media, and code that make up a website. As such, it offers…

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Web Hosting

What is Web Hosting and How is it Different from a Domain Name?

April 25, 2017

When thinking about web hosting vs. domain names, it can help to think of the internet as a virtual world full of virtual places. Just like the real world, virtual places exist in certain spaces and are called by certain place names. The spaces that websites, blogs, databases, and online apps or games occupy — the servers — are the basis of web hosting and are akin to virtual property. Buying web hosting is a lot like buying a real estate lot, and registering a domain name is a lot like coming up with a name for your business or…

Web Hosting

Should I Use IMAP or POP For Email?

April 4, 2017

If you’re used to free third party services, you might not have considered the question of IMAP vs. POP email before. One of the most common questions we get is which email protocol to use. Most of the time, the answer is simple: use IMAP. Why then does POP exist and when should you use it? What advantages does it have over IMAP? In-Depth Comparison IMAP, the “Internet Message Access Protocol” has its main advantage right in its name: IMAP is all about access. Email is stored on a central server, and access is granted to all of your devices….

Security, SEO, Web Hosting

All About SSL Certificates

February 15, 2016

What is An SSL Certificate? At pair Networks, we are often asked, “what is an SSL Certificate and why do I need one?” An SSL, or Secure Socket Layer, Certificate encrypts information moving between your web server and internet browser. You can think of it like this –

Geek Out, Security, Web Hosting

Top 5 Most Infamous Hackers of All Time

February 1, 2016

Who are these Infamous Hackers? And what do they want? When you think of a hacker, most people imagine a lonesome figure aglow by a single computer screen, frantically typing some matrix-like script in an anonymous subterranean basement. But Hackers and their motives are as varied and broad as ‘hacking’ itself.

Security, WordPress

Don’t Panic! What to do if WordPress is Hacked

January 18, 2016

Realizing that your WordPress Site has been hacked can be very upsetting. Your site was working well and then all of a sudden it disappeared. During this distressing time it’s important to keep in mind that hacks rarely equal a total loss.

Security, Web Hosting

Know Your MalWare: Your Field Guide to Malicious Software

January 4, 2016

Help prevent malware from messing with your computer by understanding how different types work. What is MalWare? “Malicious” + “Software” = Malware You can think of Malware much like a human virus. Malware is an umbrella term for hostile or intrusive software that a computer can catch from an outside source.

Geek Out

Happy Holidays from our Galaxy to Yours

December 17, 2015

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away (if far, far away is in Pittsburgh and long time ago is 1996), new Internets arrived. One rebellious company thought using the Internets should be seamless. That company was pair…

Design & Development, Web Hosting, WordPress

Ubuntu vs FreeBSD Hosting: Is There A Difference?

December 17, 2015

Choosing an Operating System for your account can feel a bit daunting. When first setting up a Hosting Account, many worry which OS is right for their needs. What’s the difference between FreeBSD and Ubuntu? Which one is right for me?

Design & Development, Security

ICANN Domain Verification Policy

December 14, 2015

The Internet Corporation For Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is the board that oversees all domain name registrars and sets policies that registrars must follow. ICANN has always required accurate contact information for domain names, but the requirement was rarely enforced.

Geek Out, pair Spotlight

Spotlight: The Fred Rogers Company

December 8, 2015

pair: The Power Behind The Fred Rogers Company Fred Rogers dedicated his life to educating children, addressing social issues, and providing a reliable presence on television. Today, pair Networks is proud to power The Fred Rogers Company, a non-profit production studio that is expanding the potential of educational programming.

Shared, Dedicated, and Public IP Addresses

Design & Development, Security, SEO

Public, Private, Shared, & Dedicated IP Addresses

September 29, 2015

What are IP Addresses? Also known as Internet Protocol Addresses, IP Addresses are used to identify different computers and devices on the Internet. You can think of it like a home return address on a mailing envelope, only used in numbers and periods.

Security, WordPress

Securing WordPress Sites

September 29, 2015

When performing a self-installation of WordPress, there are easy steps that can be taken to help protect against an attack. Many of the cases our Abuse Department deals with on a daily basis are the result of malicious WordPress attacks. Securing WordPress will make it much harder for malware to gain access.

Design & Development, Email, How To, Tutorials

All About SPF Records

September 28, 2015

SPF records list the authorized sending hosts for a particular domain name. A receiving mail client can then check that incoming mail comes from a host authorized to be sending mail from a particular domain. This allows mail clients to check that an e-mail’s sender address isn’t being spoofed.

Design & Development, Web Hosting

Why pair with FreeBSD

September 25, 2015

Why FreeBSD? pair Networks has been relying on FreeBSD as an essential tool for providing world-class web hosting since opening its doors in 1995.

Geek Out, Quizzes, Web Hosting

Quiz: Which Type of Web Hosting Is Right for You?

September 25, 2015

Not sure which Web Hosting Account is right for your needs? Take our quick web hosting quiz to find out! For more information about various web hosting platforms at Shared, VPS, & Dedicated Hosting- What’s the Difference?

Design & Development, Tutorials, WordPress

5 Easy Steps to Speed Up WordPress Sites

September 19, 2015

Did you know that according to Amazon, every extra 1/10th of a second in loading time caused sales to decrease by 1%? A fast site is one of the best ways to increase Search Engine Rankings and the amount of visitors to your site.

Design & Development, Security, Tutorials

Back that Site Up: A Backup Guide through the ACC

September 19, 2015

It’s important to ensure that you always have copies of your files, and to understand how to generate your own backups to avoid losing potentially valuable information.

Design & Development, Drupal, Joomla, WordPress

Content Management Systems: Joomla, Drupal, & WordPress

September 19, 2015

If you are looking to build a dynamic website without having to worry about the coding and technical aspects of it; WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal have established themselves as the leaders for online content management systems.

Design & Development, Security, WordPress

Lock it Down: How to Keep Your Site Secure

September 19, 2015

In an era where websites are compromised by malicious software all the time- one of the most common security questions is ‘How do I help protect my site from hackers?

Design & Development, SEO, WordPress

SEO for WordPress

September 19, 2015

Your new WordPress blog looks dazzling. The content is intriguing. It’s Lights, Camera, Action! Now all you need is an audience. But where to find them? How do you draw visitors in?

Design & Development, Web Hosting

How to Choose a Web Host

September 16, 2015

So you’re looking for a new web host? Great! Purchasing your own web hosting is a great step towards establishing a successful, independent presence on the Internet.

Cloud Hosting, Web Hosting

What is Cloud Hosting?

September 16, 2015

We’ve all heard about “The Cloud”, but what it means exactly can still cause some confusion. Is it hosting based in the sky? Run on servers made of white fluff? More importantly, is it right for you?

Design & Development, Web Hosting

Shared, VPS, & Dedicated Hosting Platforms – What’s the Difference?

September 16, 2015

What’s the best web hosting platform for your site? Do you need to harness the power of a Dedicated Server ? Or would a budget-friendly Shared Hosting Package be sufficient?

Behind the Screen, Geek Out

Behind the Screen: Miniature Wargaming

September 7, 2015

Ever wonder who’s pulling the strings around here and making things work? While keeping your website up and running is our primary goal while we’re in the office (and hey, when we’re not too), it’s what happens in our spare time that makes us an interesting bunch.

Geek Out, pair Spotlight

Spotlight: Insight Designs

September 7, 2015

Can a Web hosting company help you scale mountains? As the hosting provider for Insight Designs Web Solutions, that’s exactly what pair Networks does. When Insight Designs wires a remote camera into a mountain-climber’s hat, pair is right there, providing the Web support that streams that breathtaking mountaintop shot.

Don't Panic! What to do if WordPress is Hacked

Know Your MalWare: Your Field Guide to Malicious Software

Securing WordPress Sites