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Should I give out hosting passwords?

by vtrujillo
10 replies
I just bought a turnkey site on Flippa and seller is offering to set up all files, etc for me. I newbie and will need help but feel strange about sending the info out. The site has adsense, amazon affiliate, clickbank affiliate, moreniche affiliate sales. They are willing to set up all for me.

The seller is highly rated and has 75 or more good feedback going back 2 years. Is there any hijacking that could happen from following, they have asked that i reset all passwords after they set up:

cpanel email and password for dreamhost
dynadot username and password (to transfer domain)
clickbank affiliate id
amazon email and password
moreniche username and password

I have already set up temporary passwords that i will change back after they set up files.

Help?
#give #hosting #passwords
  • Profile picture of the author Patrick
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    • Profile picture of the author robs132
      Personally I would go for it. I have no problems giving passowords or login details to VAs or people that require them to do work on my sites.

      You say he has a good rep, that will be worth more to him to preserve than doing anything dodgy to your site and you can change the passwords back afterwards.

      The further you go along in IM the more you will be required to give out passwords every now and then.
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      • Profile picture of the author vtrujillo
        Thanks for the feedback. I know that when it comes to having others work on sites, etc. you have to go with their reputation and feedback. If you have to let them on then you just have to trust its more important for them to keep their name intact than mess around. That makes sense and thanks again for the quick responses.
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        • Profile picture of the author Jeff Henshaw
          The seller is highly rated and has 75 or more good feedback going back 2 years. Is there any hijacking that could happen from following, they have asked that i reset all passwords after they set up:
          If you are using passwords that you want to keep, then I would suggest changing all of your passwords, write down the new passwords and then give the new passwords to those doing the work.

          Once everything is complete and you have tested everything to your satisfaction, THEN change all of your passwords back to the original ones that you are familiar with and wanted to keep in the first place.

          Of course it would be better to create a new set of passwords once your new installation is complete, but it's your choice.

          Regards,
          Jeff.
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          • Profile picture of the author Domainoutlaw
            Originally Posted by Jeff Henshaw View Post

            If you are using passwords that you want to keep, then I would suggest changing all of your passwords, write down the new passwords and then give the new passwords to those doing the work.

            Once everything is complete and you have tested everything to your satisfaction, THEN change all of your passwords back to the original ones that you are familiar with and wanted to keep in the first place.

            Of course it would be better to create a new set of passwords once your new installation is complete, but it's your choice.

            Regards,
            Jeff.
            This is what I was going to say. If he is highly rated it shouldn't be a problem.
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  • Profile picture of the author webpromotions
    Great question, and I'm surprised it isn't asked more.

    I've got a programmer that has so many of my logins that he could really do some damage (although only temporary) if he really wanted to...it really comes down to a trust issue.

    However, there is little he could do that I couldn't 'undo' quickly. Sure, he even has my dedicated server root pw at times because its necessary for some things (yes, it changes frequently as all passwords should), but I also have a somewhat 'personal' relationship with my hosting company's owner, as well as his private cell #, so I could quickly recover from even the worst case scenario.

    Nonetheless, this has always been something I've questioned, and why I don't outsource anything that requires any logins or access to my scripts with the exception of complex programming or server admin stuff, and then only to people with personal references or ones I know, definitely nobody on elance or god forbid, something like fiverr.
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    • Profile picture of the author vtrujillo
      Great responses again. It seems like everyone i asks says the same thing "if you trust them, let them in then change your passwords". Almost like letting someone in your house to do work - if you want the service you can only go by what their reputation is and what others have said. Then you have to trust them in your house and be ready to change the locks if it goes wrong.

      I knew I'd have to trust another to do some of this I just thought the first time would be local with someone i knew personally. But I guess that defeats the purpose of outsourcing.

      Thanks
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  • Profile picture of the author Sheryl Polomka
    I use to sell websites quite a lot and always asked for the hosting details, etc so I could transfer the site for them. If a buyer wasn't willing to give me those details then they had to transfer the site themselves.

    If you can do the site transfer yourself and are wary of giving them your details, then ask him to send you the files and complete the transfer yourself. However, if you're not sure on what is involved with website transfer then give him your details.

    If he/she is an honest seller, and if they have good feedback then I'd say they are, it shouldn't be a problem to give them your details and it is much easier than doing the transfer yourself.

    As mentioned though, you can always change your passwords later if you feel the need.
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    Originally Posted by vtrujillo View Post

    I just bought a turnkey site on Flippa and seller is offering to set up all files, etc for me. I newbie and will need help but feel strange about sending the info out. The site has adsense, amazon affiliate, clickbank affiliate, moreniche affiliate sales. They are willing to set up all for me.
    I've been creating and installing websites for people for 15 years. You cannot imagine how many logins I've had to hosting accounts and still continue to have access to new customers. Surely, you cannot trust just anyone with that info, but my guess is that if he has a lot of good feedback, it is safe to do so and will take the burden of getting it up and running off of your shoulders.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mike Grant
    Edit:

    That so came out wrong.

    I'd give everything but your Dynadot information.
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    • Profile picture of the author vtrujillo
      Thanks and I did edit my previous comment too (didnt know if thats what you meant). But I'm glad that so many have to go through the same thing and seem comfortable doing it. Great advice
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