Question for the webhosts out there :P

Do you usually offer shell access for your resllers? do you offer them by default or do you offer them for those who ask for them?
I've seen some companies offer them by default in their reseller plans, others offer it for an additional fee. what do you do?

Is there not some possible liability problems that can arise here? I would only give it if asked and if the client can fax a copy of his/her driver's license for verification purposes.

I myself never offered shell access when I used to run my own hosting company, many of my friends who run their own hosting companies don't either. There are too many ways to exploit the access.

If you're a webhost and you value your clients you wouldn't give shell access - Thats my view anyway.

True, giving out shell access is just asking for trouble, someone would exploit it sooner or later.

There's no reason not to allow shell access if you set it up correctly.

Originally Posted by SohaibT

Question for the webhosts out there :P

Do you usually offer shell access for your resllers? do you offer them by default or do you offer them for those who ask for them?
I've seen some companies offer them by default in their reseller plans, others offer it for an additional fee. what do you do?

I dont offer shell no matter what. There are too many things that they can do to ruin your server. never really had good experience with it anyways.

I do not offer shell.. however, if you do offer them it give them a Jailed Shell.

I offered shell, but only turned it on at the request of the user. If done properly, it is not a problem.

Besides, the scripts the users run are more dangerous than shell because they tend to allow script kiddies to upload a shell access php file anyway.

I run iGB.net, a free web host, and we do not give out shell access because it can potentially open up a back door for hackers to exploit the server.

no shell access for me as well, but i do offer unlimited addon domains on cpanel only by request if I trust them enough.