Is InterServer Secure? A Transparent Look at Hosting Firewalls and...

Is InterServer Secure? A Transparent Look at Hosting Firewalls and Website Protection

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If you're in the final stages of selecting a hosting provider, one of the key questions to ask is: How secure is it? Whether you’re running a personal website, small business, or an ecommerce platform, security is more than just a nice-to-have—it’s a core necessity. A reliable hosting provider should actively protect your site from malware, intrusions, and emerging cyber threats.

In this article, we take an in-depth look at InterServer’s security model, with a specific focus on its hosting firewall and threat prevention features. We’ll reference the full firewall-focused security review, explore where to find verified InterServer coupon codes, and highlight tools from Get Top Discounts that help users compare web hosting providers based on value and features.

Why Hosting Firewalls Matter in 2025

With websites constantly facing automated bot attacks, data scraping, and brute-force login attempts, a hosting firewall is often your site’s first line of defense. A web application firewall (WAF) monitors traffic, blocks malicious requests, and helps prevent vulnerabilities from being exploited.

Key threats that firewalls help mitigate:

Cross-site scripting (XSS)
SQL injection
DDoS attacks
File inclusion vulnerabilities
Credential stuffing and brute-force attacks

In short, a reliable firewall doesn’t just block bad traffic—it makes your website more stable, secure, and resilient against disruptions.

InterServer: Security-First Infrastructure from the Ground Up

Founded in 1999, InterServer has built a reputation for dependable, affordable hosting backed by its own infrastructure. The company owns and operates its data centers in New Jersey, giving it full control over physical and network security. Unlike many web hosts that resell services or rent from large cloud vendors, InterServer maintains direct oversight over its systems.

That foundation extends to its digital security model—especially its in-house firewall system, known as InterShield.

Introducing InterShield: InterServer’s Built-In Firewall & Security Layer

InterServer’s InterShield security suite includes a robust firewall that is automatically applied to all hosting accounts. It's not an optional plugin or third-party tool—it’s integrated directly into their hosting architecture.

Core Firewall Features of InterShield:

Web Application Firewall (WAF): Blocks common attacks like XSS, SQL injection, and other OWASP Top 10 threats.
IP Reputation Management: Traffic from known malicious IP addresses is automatically blocked.
Global Threat Intelligence: Firewall rules are updated based on attack patterns seen across InterServer’s network.
Rate Limiting: Helps reduce brute-force attacks by limiting repeated requests from the same IP address.
Automatic Updates: Unlike manual security plugins, InterShield updates are deployed across all servers without user intervention.

This system is tailored specifically for InterServer’s environment, giving it an edge over generic firewall plugins or tools that users have to manage on their own.

Malware Prevention & Detection

A good firewall is proactive, but when something does slip through, detection becomes the next line of defense. InterShield’s security also includes real-time malware scanning and file quarantine.

What this means for users:

InterServer scans uploaded files and running processes for malicious code.
Infected files are automatically quarantined to prevent spread.
Alerts are sent to administrators, and the system blocks repeat offenses.
Malware definitions are updated regularly based on real-time global activity.

According to the detailed firewall and malware review, InterServer's system can detect and neutralize threats often before a user even realizes something has gone wrong.

Free SSL Certificates and Encrypted Connections

All InterServer plans include free SSL certificates via Let’s Encrypt, helping ensure that all traffic to and from your site is encrypted.

SSL is now a non-negotiable standard for modern websites. It:

Protects user data from being intercepted
Prevents "Not Secure" warnings in modern browsers
Helps with SEO rankings (Google favors HTTPS)
Builds visitor trust, especially on login or checkout pages

Best of all, InterServer includes this without hidden fees or complicated installation processes. SSL is auto-provisioned and renewed with minimal user input.

DDoS Protection Layered with Firewall Defense

A firewall is effective against targeted attacks, but what about volume-based attacks like DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service)?

InterServer adds network-level DDoS mitigation as a layer on top of its firewall protections:

Suspicious traffic surges are filtered out before they hit your server.
Rate limits and connection caps prevent simple HTTP flood attacks.
Systems automatically detect and adapt to real-time attack vectors.
No user setup is needed—this protection is always on.

DDoS protection is especially useful for ecommerce and membership sites, which rely on uptime and can’t afford to be knocked offline by fake traffic.

Daily Backups and Recovery Options

Security doesn’t just mean prevention—it also includes recovery. If a vulnerability is exploited or something goes wrong during an update, backups are your safety net.

InterServer provides daily backups on its shared hosting plans at no extra cost. Features include:

Automatic daily snapshot of your files and databases
Easy access to roll back to a previous version
Backups stored off-server to prevent data loss from the original machine

While not a replacement for your own off-site backups, this built-in option adds another layer of resilience for most users.

Physical Security: Data Centers with Controlled Access

Beyond digital security, InterServer maintains tight control over physical access to its hardware infrastructure. Its owned-and-operated data centers are equipped with:

24/7 on-site staff
Biometric access control systems
Video surveillance
Redundant power and cooling systems
Fire suppression and environmental monitoring

This level of infrastructure control is increasingly rare among budget hosting providers, many of which lease space in third-party data centers.

Responsive and Security-Aware Support

InterServer offers 24/7 support from its U.S.-based team. More importantly, the support staff is trained to handle technical and security-related issues—not just billing.

They can assist with:

Investigating firewall logs or access issues
Restoring backups after an infection or error
Identifying and blocking suspicious IPs
Troubleshooting SSL or HTTPS errors

You won’t get malware cleanup services on all plans, but the team is often able to guide users through remediation steps or point them to helpful resources.

Limitations to Consider

While InterServer offers robust security tools, here are a few considerations:

UI could be improved: The control panel is functional but may feel outdated for some users.
U.S.-based servers only: If your primary audience is outside North America, you may need a CDN to ensure global performance.
Firewall is not customizable on shared hosting: Advanced users may prefer the flexibility of a VPS or dedicated server for full firewall rule control.

These trade-offs are worth weighing depending on your technical needs and user base.

Who Is InterServer Right For?

InterServer is a strong fit for:

Small businesses that want secure, budget-friendly hosting without hidden fees
Freelancers and developers who need consistent firewall protection and root access on VPS plans
Website owners who want set-it-and-forget-it security features (firewall, backups, SSL)
Users tired of surprise renewals or upsells—thanks to InterServer’s price-lock guarantee

If you're looking for dependable hosting with built-in protections, check the latest InterServer coupon codes or explore more options via Get Top Discounts.

Final Verdict: Is InterServer Secure?

Yes—InterServer is a secure web hosting provider offering built-in firewall protection, malware scanning, SSL encryption, daily backups, and DDoS defense. Its security stack, anchored by the InterShield firewall, is automatically applied across all hosting plans and maintained by an experienced in-house team.

While its interface may not win design awards, InterServer makes up for it with a practical, no-nonsense approach to site safety—and without charging extra for core protections that should be standard.