Shell Providers/Shell Account

A shell account is a personal account that gives a user access to a Unix shell on another machine, usually through ssh (and historically telnet.) With a shell account one can log into a remote server and run commands on it. It is very useful when one wants to try out another operating system, to get more out of IRC for example by running an IRC robot such as Eggdrop, to host a website, or to use some E-mail services. Most servers allow users to connect at all times 24/7. There is a possibility to attach the programs by using the GNU screen terminal multiplexer.

It is worth noting that most free shell providers do not allow IRC bots or IRC Bouncers. For this functionality, users might have to buy a shell from a commercial provider. Commercial shell accounts usually cost from 2 USD/month and up.

Often there are policies in place on shell accounts that limit processes.

A number of shell providers disappear very fast because of the abusive behaviour of their members.