I'm curious about how cloud hosting is priced. The provider says that the cost of using a cloud server is based on usage and charges per hour, with a fixed monthly fee as well. However, it's unclear to me how I can determine the exact amount of time per day the server is being used.

Would popular websites then be charged a flat rate since they're likely being used 24/7?

Asking a question and answering it yourself, there are two types of billing when it comes to cloud hosting: monthly and hourly. While third parties cannot easily access cloud servers, DDoS attacks can still occur. Hourly billing is charged per hour and can be useful for those needing a server for software testing or data storage with an admin panel that shows server uptime. Monthly billing may be preferable for public servers.

It's important to weigh the pros and cons of each billing method for your specific needs when choosing a cloud hosting provider. Additionally, it's always a good idea to have strong security measures in place to prevent potential attacks.

Cloud hosting offers several advantages, such as fault tolerance, scalability, and automatic backups. This hosting solution allows for high uptime, even in the event of server crashes, and can handle significant increases in website traffic with ease. Additionally, users only pay for the power they consume, like a utility bill.

However, cloud hosting does come with its downsides. The cost for the user can be higher due to the expensive infrastructure required to maintain this type of hosting. Also, if scripts are not optimized for power consumption or a site is hаcked, the bill from the hosting provider can be steep.

Cloud hosting is best suited for websites and services that require near-constant availability, as well as those with fluctuating traffic levels. While it is possible to use cloud hosting for business card websites or powerful projects, it's important to consider the economic feasibility before making a decision.