Localhost – simply explained!

Within the Search When it comes to the ideal web hosting provider, the name “Localhost” keeps coming up. But what exactly is localhost? In this Article Learn what Localhost is and how it can help you build your website.

What is Localhost?

Localhost is a computer running as Server & Hosting serves and provides data via the Internet. This is a service that runs on a Desktop runs and allows other computers to access data stored on the localhost. The data is transmitted via the HTTP protocol, which is why localhost is often referred to as a web server. A localhost can also provide other services, such as FTP or e-mail.

What is meant by an IP address?

An IP address is a combination of numbers and dots that... Desktop or device and allows this device to be found on the Internet. Everyone Desktop or each device connected to the Internet has its own unique IP address.

IP stands for Internet Protocol, which means the Internet transmission protocol. The protocol is a set of rules that devices use to communicate with each other. The IP address is part of this protocol and uniquely identifies a device within the Internet.

What is a loopback address?

A loopback address is an IP address that points to the local Network is directed. It is also referred to as “localhost”. Most Desktop use a loopback address to communicate with other computers on the same network.

Loopback addresses are typically 127.0.0.1 or ::1.

Desktop, which do not have a loopback address, cannot communicate with other computers on the same network.

Using a loopback address allows a computer to reach itself without the need for a network device. This is useful for diagnosing network problems.

What does “localhost” mean?

“localhost” is a term commonly used in the IT industry. But what does it actually mean? “localhost” is the short form for “Local Host”, which translates as “local computer”. In practice it is often used as a synonym for one's own computer. So if you want to test or install something on your local machine, you speak of “localhost”.

What is localhost used for?

Localhost is mainly used for the development of Websites and web applications used. When you install localhost on a computer, you can have a Website or develop and test an application before releasing it to the Internet.

Testing of websites and web applications

If you have a Website or create a web application, you will need to run it on a web server at some point. However, during development, it is helpful to test the website or application on your local computer (localhost). This way you can make sure everything works before putting it online. In this article, you will learn what Localhost is and how to use it.

Network and speed tests

If you are running your own web server, it is important to test the network speed and connection speed. This can be done with different Tools take place. We recommend the following test:

– For example, install the free one tool “Localhost Speed ​​Test” by Mattias Geniar.
– Run the test on your local computer. The results are displayed in seconds.

It is also possible to take tests online. Here are some recommended tools:

“Speedtest” by Ookla (https://www.speedtest.net/)
“Pingdom” from SolarWinds (https://www.pingdom.com/)

“SimpleSpeedTest” by SolarWinds (https://www.solarwinds.com/web-performance-monitor/use-cases/website-speed-test)

Blocking malicious websites

When you browse the Internet, you often come across websites that are malicious and want to infect your computer with malware. One way to protect yourself from these websites is to install security software that blocks malicious websites.

Another way to protect yourself from malicious websites is to configure your computer to automatically block malicious websites. This can be done either in the hosts file or in the local DNS configuration.

The hosts file is a text file containing IP addresses and Domain names are stored. If you block a website in the hosts file, your computer will no longer access that website.

To block a website in the hosts file, open the file in a text editor and paste the following entry below the last line:

0.0.0.0 www.evilWebsite.com

Adding the 0.0.0.0 entry ensures that your computer can no longer access the website and allows you to prevent malicious websites by blocking them.

The hosts file is located in the following locations:

C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc\hosts

C:\winnt\system32\drivers\etc\hosts (for Windows NT)

C:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts (for Windows 95/98/ME)

The alternative to the hosts file is the DNS configuration in your firewall or router configuration. In this configuration file, all you need to do is remove and save the DNS record for the website to block the website.

There is another method to protect your computer from malicious websites and that is to use a proxy Server & Hosting to use. A proxy Server & Hosting redirects all requests to another computer, which sends the requests to the Internet. This protects your computer from directly connecting to malicious websites.

There is a wide range of proxies to choose from servers on the Internet and they are free. All you need to do is set the browser proxy on your computer to the proxy Server & Hosting and you will be automatically protected.

The address 127.0.0.1 does not exist on the Internet!

The address 127.0.0.1 does not exist on the Internet! This address is used by your computer to connect to itself and is only located locally on your computer. If you try to enter this address into your browser, your computer will try to find itself and will not load the requested page.

How does localhost work?

When you use a computer to develop websites, you don't have to worry about your website being visible to others. This is because you are hosting your website locally on your computer. A local host is simply a Server & Hosting, installed on your own computer or network. When you host a website locally, only you or those connected to you can see the website. Once you've finished developing your website and are ready to present it to the world, you can host it on a live hosting service.

Advantages of Localhost

Localhost has many advantages, one of the most important is that it is very easy to install and use. Even if you have no experience with servers, you can easily set up and use Localhost. Another advantage is that localhost is very stable and rarely causes problems. If you have a problem with your localhost server, you can usually easily figure out and fix what the problem is.

Disadvantages of Localhost

There are some disadvantages associated with using localhost. For one thing, it is often slower than a remote host. On the other hand, security problems can arise if not configured correctly. Finally, configuring localhost is often more complicated than that of a remote host.

Alternatives to Localhost

There are several options when it comes to setting up a local server. However, if you simply need a server for developing your own website or for accessing one Database localhost may be your best choice. It's free, easy to install and use, and offers you all the features you need.

Conclusion

Localhost is an important concept for developers because it allows them to test websites and applications on their own computers before making them available online. It's also a good way to develop new websites and applications without others seeing or using them.

Note..is important!

All external sites linked on this website are independent sources. 
These links are not sponsored and no financial contribution was received for their inclusion. 
All information on this website is provided without guarantee.
This site is a private project by Jan Domke and solely reflects personal opinions and experiences.

Jan Domke

Prompt Engineer | Social Media Manager | Hosting Manager | Web administrator

I have been running the online magazine privately since the end of 2021 SEO4Business and thus turned my job into a hobby.
I have been working as a since 2019 Senior Hosting Manager, at one of the largest internet and marketing agencies in Germany and am constantly expanding my horizons.

Jan Domke