At PrivateRouter we understand there may be some confusion as to what self-hosting means to the average person. We will cover those questions and give you a few tips on how to self-host your data.

What exactly is self-hosting?

Self-hosting doesn’t have to be scary – it just means using a device in your home or business to store your data, such as photos, music, media, calendars, notes, and catalog collections making it accessible whenever and wherever you want. We at PrivateRouter sell devices that you can plug into your home Internet connection, and once it’s plugged in, you can access it from a web page just like you would if you were paying someone else to host it.

The benefits of self-hosting are many, but some of the most important ones are privacy, security, and control. With self-hosting, you are in charge of your data and who has access to it. You also know exactly where your data is stored, and you can be confident that it is safe from external data breaches. Self-hosting can also be more cost-effective in the long run, as you will not have to pay for third-party services. There is also no one else using your data for their profit. This can be important for privacy and security reasons.

Ease of use:

For self-hosting, a server describes a task here not the hardware it is running on. When connected to your network you are able to access all of your stored content. It is faster because it is on your own network. You can access your stored data without carrying around hard drives or multiple USB drives. If you self-host, you can be sure that your data will always be available, with no third-party downtime.

Cost of self-hosting:

Instead of a monthly fee with a cloud service, you purchase the device(s) once and you own it. You purchase as much as you want and can expand it later. You will own and control all of your data. Self-hosting can be cheaper than using a third-party service. Many services that offer free plans only allow you to store a limited amount of data. If you need to store more data, you’ll often have to pay for an expensive plan. You can lower your hosting costs by saving data locally on your server. All you need is the hardware, and you can choose where to store it as long as it has an Internet connection.

Self-hosting for privacy and security:

With self-hosting, you can manage your data single-handedly and have full control over all the data. You know exactly where your files are and can provide the necessary precautions to keep them safe. You know who has access and authority. You know what changes are happening.

Individuals must retain control over their data. This is the only way to ensure genuine security. Proprietary service providers have far too much control over users’ data. They can access it, share it, and worst of all, prevent users from accessing it. PrivateRouter’s use of open-source software on the mini-computers we sell ensures multiple sets of eyes have reviewed the code for security purposes. This way, you can use the product in your home or office with peace of mind.

In summary:

PrivateRouter has put the work in for you of finding what hardware and software work best together. Plus, if you need help with set-up or have any questions before or after the purchase we’re always happy to help! Our goal will always be to give you products that empower you to keep you and your data safe online.