Need feedback - What are the elements of a good hosting service?

[Kragen Sitaker]

Skip Montanaro <skip at pobox.com> writes:
>     * Though their Acceptable Use Policy said they'd consider long-running
>       programs on a case-by-case basis,

That's kind of a danger sign, isn't it?

>     * My almost idle webserver was getting lots of clear breakin attempts -
>       accesses to paths like /scripts/..%255c../winnt/system32/cmd.exe.

That's Nimda.

>       I reported this to them and suggested it would be not much
>       more difficult for them to block and report such malicious
>       accesses for their entire suite of servers than for me to
>       block on an IP-by-IP basis.

With what?  You think they might have a ServerIron or a LocalDirector
in a back closet, not being used?

>       After several go-rounds I finally got a note from one of their
>       sysadmins indicating they would block on the machine my
>       virtual server resides on.  No word on actually reporting the
>       bad guys.

You want them to report instances of Nimda infection?  They're going
to be awfully busy.

> How do other peoples' experiences jive with mine?  What do you feel it
> important to ask going into the process over and above what I've referred to
> as the "primary questions"?  Do you agree that those that seem important to
> me are actually of general importance?

The questions that seem important to you are of general importance.
They are the reasons I do not host web sites where I do not have root
or personally know someone who does.