What backup options do you provide

What backup options do you provide

We include backups on all shared, reseller and WordPress hosting with daily off‑site copies via JetBackup and self‑service restores in cPanel. Our VPS plans include off‑server backups managed in Virtualizor: UK Linux VPS has weekly backups included with an optional daily upgrade, US Linux VPS has weekly backups included, and Windows VPS has weekly backups included. All backups are complimentary and best‑efforts under our Terms of Service, so keep your own independent copies of anything you cannot lose.

Before you start

• Backups are complimentary. Our Terms of Service say you are responsible for your own backups. Do not treat our copies as guaranteed. Keep your own off‑platform archives for critical data.
• Shared, reseller and WordPress hosting: JetBackup runs daily and transfers data to a remote server over secure FTP. We strive to keep at least three daily restore points, up to three at any one time. If you configure JetBackup to use encrypted backups, you will not be able to restore individual files or databases. Only full account restores are possible when encryption is enabled.
• If you choose a Remote Encryption Key in JetBackup, you must store that key securely. If it is lost, restores are impossible. We cannot recover it. With a Local Encryption Key, we can restore without you providing the key.
• JetBackup does not create a current‑state backup on demand. For an immediate full copy in cPanel, use Files followed by Backup to generate a full account archive. You cannot restore a full account archive yourself. Ask us to restore it for you.
• Do not upload backup archives to a shared hosting plan. Using shared hosting as backup storage is against our ToS. Files that look like backup archives may be deleted.
• VPS: the backup storage allowance shown on your plan is for virtual machine snapshots or backups. It is not extra live disk space on the VPS.
• Reinstalling or rebuilding a VPS operating system in Virtualizor wipes the primary disk. Confirm a recent backup exists before you rebuild. Virtualizor’s own documentation states that Re‑Install OS creates a fresh VPS without any data.
• Older third‑party articles may reference JetBackup v4 screens. JetBackup v4 reached End‑of‑Life on 1 July 2024. Follow our current cPanel screens and our how‑to articles.

Step 1: Identify your Hostworld service and its backup coverage

Backups vary by product. Match your service to the description below, then continue to the relevant steps.

• Shared, reseller and WordPress hosting (cPanel): Automatic daily off‑site backups via JetBackup with self‑service restore of files, folders or the whole account in cPanel. You can also create on‑demand account snapshots in cPanel. We strive to ensure at least three daily backups are stored, up to three at any one time.
• UK Linux VPS (AlmaLinux 9, Ubuntu 24.04 and other Linux OS options): Off‑server backups included weekly with three kept. Paid upgrade to daily backups with five kept. Each plan includes a separate backup storage allowance for snapshots or backups. This is not extra live disk space on your VPS.
• US (New York) Linux VPS: Free weekly backups included.
• Windows VPS: Free weekly backups included.

VPS backups are managed from the Virtualizor screen inside our client area. You can review and restore a backup there.

Step 2: Configure JetBackup in cPanel the first time

This step enables backups and sets your privacy and encryption choices. You do it once per cPanel account.

1. Open cPanel and locate JetBackup’s GDPR Compliance screen.
2. Accept the terms presented.
3. Choose Regular (unencrypted) or Encrypted Backups, then Save.

What these choices mean:

• Regular: Backups are not encrypted at rest. You can use JetBackup to restore a single file, a directory or a database. This is the most flexible for day‑to‑day restores.
• Encrypted with Local Encryption Key: We can perform restores without you re‑supplying the key. File‑level or database‑level restores are disabled. Only full account restores are supported while encryption is on.
• Encrypted with Remote Encryption Key: You hold the key. If you lose it, restores are impossible. File‑level or database‑level restores are disabled, and only full account restores are supported.

If you want the click‑by‑click version with screenshots, see Configuring your backups in cPanel. It also covers the GDPR Right to be Forgotten option, which purges stored backups when an account is closed.

Step 3: Make an immediate full copy in cPanel before a risky change

Why this matters: JetBackup runs daily and does not create a “right now” snapshot on request. If you are about to change a theme, import lots of data or update a plugin, take your own full copy first so you can roll back to the exact moment before the change.

1. In cPanel go to Files then Backup.
2. Create a full account backup and download it to your computer. Store it off the hosting server.

You cannot restore a full account backup yourself. If you need it put back, open a support ticket and attach the filename and where it is stored. For day‑to‑day single file or database restores, use JetBackup. See our overview at JetBackup: what is it and how do I use it.

Step 4: Review and restore VPS backups in Virtualizor

Why this matters: platform‑level VPS backups protect the whole virtual machine. Before kernel upgrades, distro upgrades or major application changes, make sure a recent restore point exists and that your backup allowance has space for another if needed.

1. Sign in to the Hostworld client area at portal.hostworld.uk.
2. Open your VPS from the Virtualizor section. If you are not sure where that is, our quick pointer is here: Where can I administer my server.
3. Locate the area where you can review and restore a backup. Different layouts exist, so look for a tab or menu with “Backups” or “Restore”.
4. Check the list of available restore points and note the most recent date and time. If you need a restore, trigger it from the same screen.

Reinstalling a VPS operating system in Virtualizor wipes data on the primary disk. Confirm a restore point exists before using rebuild or Re‑Install OS. Virtualizor’s own documentation says Re‑Install OS creates a fresh VPS without any data.

Step 5: Keep your own VPS backups from the command line

Why this matters: our VPS backups are a safety net. For anything crucial, keep your own copies elsewhere as well. Below are common, minimal commands for AlmaLinux 9 and Ubuntu 24.04 to archive files, dump databases and transfer them off the server. Replace example paths and hostnames with yours.

5.1 Check free space before you create archives

This command shows disk usage so you do not run out of space mid‑backup.

# AlmaLinux 9 and Ubuntu 24.04
df -h

5.2 Install the tools you need (if missing)

These commands install rsync for transfers. Install a database client if you plan to dump MySQL or MariaDB from the VPS itself.

# AlmaLinux 9: install rsync and MariaDB client
sudo dnf -y install rsync mariadb

# Ubuntu 24.04: install rsync and MariaDB client
sudo apt update
sudo apt -y install rsync mariadb-client

5.3 Archive your site or application files

This command creates a compressed archive of a directory tree. It changes to the source directory, then writes a dated archive into /root. Adjust the path to match your web root or application directory.

# AlmaLinux 9 and Ubuntu 24.04
sudo tar -C /var/www -czf /root/site-backup-$(date +%F).tar.gz example.com

5.4 Dump your MySQL or MariaDB databases

This command exports all databases to a single SQL file using a consistent snapshot. It does not lock tables for long‑running InnoDB workloads.

# AlmaLinux 9 and Ubuntu 24.04
sudo mysqldump --all-databases --single-transaction --routines --events --triggers > /root/mysql-$(date +%F).sql

If your database server requires a password or a specific user, add -u username -p to be prompted for the password, or create a my.cnf with credentials restricted to root only.

5.5 Transfer backups off the VPS

This command uses rsync over SSH to push archives to another host. It shows progress and keeps partial files if the transfer is interrupted.

# AlmaLinux 9 and Ubuntu 24.04
rsync -avhP /root/site-backup-$(date +%F).tar.gz /root/mysql-$(date +%F).sql [email protected]:/backups/myvps/

Alternatively, you can pull from the remote side with rsync, or use scp or an object‑storage client of your choice. The goal is to keep a copy outside the VPS and outside the Hostworld platform.

5.6 Verify what you sent

These commands create and check checksums so you know the copy is intact.

# AlmaLinux 9 and Ubuntu 24.04
cd /root
sha256sum site-backup-$(date +%F).tar.gz mysql-$(date +%F).sql > checksums-$(date +%F).txt
# On the destination host
sha256sum -c checksums-YYYY-MM-DD.txt

Step 6: Plan retention and test restores

• On shared, reseller and WordPress hosting, expect up to three daily JetBackup restore points. That is usually enough for recent mistakes. For long‑term retention, keep your own weekly or monthly copies elsewhere.
• On VPS, watch your backup storage allowance. If you run out, new restore points can fail. Upgrade your allowance or prune old copies if you need more headroom.
• Test the restore path. In cPanel, perform a small file‑level restore from JetBackup so you know the flow. In Virtualizor, confirm you can see at least one recent restore point. For full account restores in cPanel, we handle the restore for you on request.

Step 7: Know when to ask us

• If you need help choosing between Regular and Encrypted backups in cPanel.
• If you want us to perform a full cPanel account restore.
• If you need to confirm a VPS restore point exists before you rebuild or upgrade.
• If your backup allowance on a VPS looks tight and you want advice.

In all these cases, open a support ticket. Tickets are handled through your Hostworld account and keep everything logged against the right service.

What next

• Web hosting: configure your backup preferences and understand the trade‑offs in Configuring your backups in cPanel, then see JetBackup: what is it and how do I use it for restores and on‑demand snapshots.
• Looking at a VPS for more control over backups and scheduling? See our Linux VPS plans in the UK and the US New York VPS range, or our Windows VPS.
• Browse more topics in our VPS guides.