I am planning to run a small software/download site and I am not a biggy to own a dedicated server or use CDNs for file serving. I want to start small. I don't have good experience running a site, though I have used shared hosting for a small site for years. I know basic Linux cmds and years of exposure (rather than experience). I am not in the range of sysadmins but also not at the level of a novice end user.
I want to know which is better to use for my DL site: vps or reseller hosting?
I am new to vps and though I have been acquiring knowledge related to it, my worry is whether the site could be hacked/abused by strangers (e.g attempts to login as root, does that happen often?). I have no expertise on linux firewalls/security.
As far as the requirements is concerned, it is very minimal; no database, no php (as of now), and mainly no email; just plain static serving.
What would you recommend me to go with:
- Linux vps (my inclination)
- Windows vps
- CPanel reseller hosting
If vps, what web server to use:
- nginx (easy to go with?)
- lighttpd
- cherokee (claims config is easy via its admin interface)
- Bauk.ws (claims a built-in serverside JS); Not maintained? Anybody's experience?
- What else
Thanks.