Telnet is a communication protocol used to issue commands on a remote host. A version is included with Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, UNIX, and commercial versions of Linux.   Unfortunately, some people have a desire to harm others. Accordingly, for security purposes, effective 8/2001, our servers enable SSH instead of telnet. Telnet is not secure and a packet sniffer can grab your user id and password and do lots of BAD things to you and your site. You can go anything in SSH that you can do in telnet. However, the transmissions are much more secure. Unless otherwise requested, all accounts have SSH disabled. We will enable SSH on these accounts upon customer request. Unless you are looking to become very expert in server activities, for most cases, SSH or telnet activity is unnecessary. We have generated a control panel that does 99.95% of anything you may want to do without knowing SSH, telnet, UNIX, or NT systems.

If you use an Apple Macintosh or Windows computer, SSH client software is available at:

        http://www.tucows.com/UnitedStates.html

We recommend the putty program for Windows. It is a great program, and it is free.

Pick a server in your region and then click on the operating system that you use. Choose putty or SSH from the Network Tools and download whichever program appeals to you.

* You are now connected via a UNIX SSH session and can run any standard UNIX command

To view a directory's contents, type: dir

To change directories, type: cd directoryname

To change back to the previous directory, type: CD ..

To delete a file, type: rm filename

To delete a directory and all of its contents, type: rm -rf directoryname
(UNIX does not have undelete and the rm command is irreversible)

To create a new directory, type: mkdir newdirectoryname

To edit a file, type: pico filename
(a list of editor commands will be at the bottom of the screen)

To rename a file (or directory), type: mv oldfilename newfilename
To move a file from one directory to another, type: MV old/directory/path/file.name new/dir/path/file.name

To copy a file to another directory, type: cp old/dir/file new/dir/file
To copy a file with a new name (e.g. to backup a file before editing), type: cp file file.old

To change your master password, type:  passwd
Always remember to e-mail us with the new password so that we may update our database or use our customer request form. If you do not update us, your password may be reset by our database system. We recommend you use our control panel to change your password or do other features. When you use this exclusive OfficeOnWeb program, for most, you will find you never need to telnet or SSH to your site.

To finish SSH, type: exit

Please exit SSH access as soon as possible as it marked increases the CPU load takes up bandwidth. If you will be idle more than 30 minutes, please use the exit command. This helps your business as open logins unnecessarily increase the CPU load, takes up bandwidth, and reduces the speed at which your visitor can view your businesses web site.

UNIX is a powerful and versatile operating system but, at first, it will seem cryptic and complicated. We recommend getting a book or taking a course on its use.  We like "UNIX in a Nutshell" and have been told that "UNIX for Dummies" is a good starting resource. However, if you use the control panel, you will probably never need to use the control line unless you are VERY interested in becoming an expert in UNIX.

Packet Sniffing
One of the oldest methods of stealing information off of a network is through packet sniffing (making a copy of each packet as it flows across the network).

While this is a boon for network managers for traffic analysis, it is also a tool for malevolent hackers. Today, new protocols are being introducted that are designed to prevent packet sniffing by encrypting packets. However, many networks have not yet employed this encryption technology, or are only encrypting a portion of their data. Because of this, packet sniffing is still a viable method for stealing information.

The reason that packet sniffing works is due to the way Ethernet networks send their packets. Any time that a PC sends out a packet, it is sent out as a broadcast. This means that every PC on the network sees the packet. However, every PC is supposed to ignore the packet, except for the PC that is its intended destination.

The telnet protocol give you command line access to your virtual domain. That gives you LOTS of power. To ensure you have the right to make powerful changes, your user identification and password is required. Since telnet is not secure, others may get this information. That means they can do anything they want to your site. SSH is like telnet, but encrypted. Thus it avoids this problem. Unfortunately, it doesn't come with your system (much as telnet once did not) so you need to download a program such as putty or other SSH engine. Most are free, so that is the worst of it.