Daniel Reiss
Daniel runs Hostilo's performance lab. He builds the synthetic load harnesses behind our TTFB and uptime numbers, and writes our VPS and cloud coverage. Before Hostilo he was an SRE at two cloud providers, which is why he is unusually patient with — and unusually skeptical of — vendor benchmark claims.
- Areas of expertise
- · VPS & cloud benchmarking
- · Time-to-first-byte methodology
- · Synthetic uptime monitoring
- · Linux server hardening
19 articles by Daniel Reiss
What is a Web Application Firewall (WAF) & Do You Need One?
Oct 2026Wondering what is a Web Application Firewall (WAF)? Learn how this crucial security layer blocks hackers and malicious bots before they can harm your site.
What is a WordPress Staging Site & Why You Need One
Sep 2026Learn what a WordPress staging site is: a private clone of your live website for safely testing updates, plugins, and changes before they go public. Stop breaking your site!
How to Clear Hosting Cache & Speed Up Your Site
Sep 2026Stuck with an old version of your site? Learn how to clear hosting cache on platforms like SiteGround, Cloudways, and Kinsta to see changes instantly.
What is a MySQL Database? A Plain-English Guide
Sep 2026Curious about what a MySQL database is and why your site needs one? Learn how it stores your data, powers your website, and what to watch out for.
What Is SSH Access? A Plain-English Guide for Hosting
Aug 2026Confused by SSH access in your hosting plan? Learn what SSH is, why it's more powerful than a control panel, and how to use it to manage your site like a pro.
How to Migrate Your Website Without Downtime
Aug 2026Scared of a broken site? Learn our proven method to migrate your website without downtime. We cover the steps, tools, and common pitfalls for a seamless switch.
What is a CDN and Do You Actually Need One?
Jul 2026Learn what a CDN (Content Delivery Network) is, how it dramatically speeds up your website for global visitors, and if it's the right choice for your hosting.
What Are Nameservers? A Simple Guide for Beginners
Jul 2026Confused about nameservers? Learn what nameservers are, why they're essential for your website, and how to correctly point them to your web host. Get answers.
How to Safely Edit Your .htaccess File (3 Methods)
Jul 2026Need to edit your .htaccess file but afraid of breaking your site? Learn how to safely modify .htaccess using a file manager, FTP, or a WordPress plugin.
Reduce Web Hosting Costs Without Downtime
Jun 2026A practical checklist for reducing web hosting costs without downtime, covering plan audits, renewals, migrations, backups, and hidden fees.
What is Hosting Bandwidth? A Plain-English Guide
Jun 2026Confused about web hosting bandwidth? Learn what it actually is, how much you need, and how to avoid overage fees. Stop overpaying for traffic you don't use.
Set Up SSH Keys for Login & Secure Your Server
Jun 2026Stop using weak passwords. Learn how to set up SSH keys for login on your VPS or cloud server. Boost your security and simplify access in minutes.
Moving from shared hosting to VPS: when, how, and what changes
May 2026Signs you've outgrown shared hosting, what to expect from VPS, and how to migrate without setting fire to your weekend.
Shared vs VPS vs cloud hosting, explained simply
Apr 2026Choosing between Shared, VPS, and Cloud hosting? Our guide simplifies the decision with clear explanations and practical advice for every type of website.
TTFB: what time-to-first-byte tells you about your host
Apr 2026Learn what Time to First Byte (TTFB) reveals about your web host's performance. Understand good vs. bad scores, how to measure it, and key steps to fix a slow TTFB.
What uptime numbers really mean
Mar 2026Learn what 99.9% uptime really means in terms of yearly downtime. Discover why the number of 'nines' matters for your site and how to evaluate a host.
US vs EU hosting: which to choose
Feb 2026Choosing between US and EU web hosting? Learn how latency, GDPR, data privacy laws, and your audience's location impact site speed and legal compliance.
Nginx vs Apache: which web server should your host be running?
Feb 2026Choosing a host? The web server they use—Nginx, Apache, or LiteSpeed—directly impacts your site's speed. Learn the key differences and pick the best.
CDNs explained: do you actually need one?
Feb 2026A CDN can drastically boost your site's speed for a global audience, but isn't always necessary. Learn how to decide if you truly need this key tool.