Expert Advisors (EAs) and Security
As with any software or service, the question of security comes into account. Questions such as:" How can I secure my code from theft?" or "Can my EA be copied or downloaded?" are always on the minds of EA developers that are looking to preserve their efforts and to limit risk of piracy. The Gallant VPS has always been the go-to hosting provider, that solves these questions. While other VPS platforms are simply a Windows desktop (full with all the known and yet-to-be-discovered security holes), Gallant VPS is a platform that Secures the developers proprietary code. It limits what can and cannot be uploaded and downloaded from the hosted MT4 interface. EA developers can rest assure, that their intellectual property will always remain protected via these standards. Question: How are EA developers trying to protect their code in a Windows VPS system? Answer: Using 3rd party systems to encrypt the EA for use on client machines. Question: How are EA developers protected with the Gallant VPS platform? Answer: by using Gallant VPS. For developers to protect their property on a Windows VPS, they need to use 3rd party software, that encrypts the source code to allow developers to distribute the code to their users without worry of theft. However, this is not without flaws. First; a 3rd party install has to happen on the client end, to allow them to use the EA. Second; Transfer of the EA to other MT4 instances or accounts, may lead to issues. Third; this system depends on WINDOWS and all the issues and vulnerabilities that come with that operating system. So much so, that the encryption package may itself be subjective to issues resulting in Malware, Spyware, Viruses, etc. These of course are not an issue in the Linux based hosting environment that is the Gallant VPS platform.
Speed and Latency
In the fast evolving marketplace where Forex traders are constantly looking for ways to add value to their execution process, and with low latency services such as high speed market data, proximity hosting and colocation now being offered by exchanges and service providers alike, just how much focus should be placed on speed? Is a sub millisecond difference in transaction speeds between local market participants and market data and execution venues relevant? What is the impact of new execution venues and liquidity fragmentation, and how do these low latency services benefit the buy-side and hedge fund community? In this fast evolving marketplace where buy-side traders are constantly looking for ways to add value to their execution process, and with low latency services such as high speed market data, proximity hosting and colocation now being offered by exchanges and service providers alike, just how much focus should be placed on speed? Latency will be of significant importance if the objective is to capture a spread at a point in time. In the context of best execution, speed is relevant but it is not the only contributor to achievement of the goal. From the introduction of the first telephone onto the trading floor of the NYSE in 1878 to the present day focus on sub-millisecond transactions, speed has always gone hand in hand with technological advancements in the marketplace. Latency improvements from various sources: physical infrastructure (machines at the application layer are getting faster, down to the transport, network and physical layers), coupled with technological advancements (with the move from floor to electronic trading and high speed market data), has led to the development of sophisticated low touch/ no touch trading strategies.
What does Managed Forex Hosting solve?
Broker and Trader concerns center around availability, security, compliance and scalability, as their reputations and revenue can suffer drastically from even a few minutes of downtime. With a managed hosting solutions, expenses are reduced, experts are always on hand & traders can trade. Your never have to negotiate, purchase, own, configure, deploy, manage, troubleshoot or replace a server, device or network. In short, you are dedicating your people and money to the things that drive revenue and efficiently grow your business. Brokerages are looking for diverse hosting solutions and expert, around-the-clock support for their customers, to that their sales and support people can get back to revenue-generating activities. And the whole department will operate smarter, faster and for a lot less because a managed hosting provider is supporting them.
Windows Based VPS Threat? Not to Gallant VPS!
(October 1st, 2011)
A New Worm spreading via RDP Connection poses a new security threat to all users of any Windows based VPS: The MORTO worm has received much attention recently, primarily for becoming the first worm to use Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) as an attack vector. RDP is commonly used on Windows Servers and Workstations to allow remote connections and control of a machine. MORTO doesnt exploit any specific vulnerability in RDP, it uses a brute force password attack to gain access to systems and then replicate itself. Morto could potentially be a very dangerous worm, giving the attacker full control over infected systems including critical servers. In terms of general security, its bad practice to leave RDP accessible from the internet because of this type of threats. Luckily, Gallant VPS is a Windows FREE environment. This means that our customers never have to worry about any Windows or Microsoft related security threats.
