====== How to hotlink images to save bandwidth on cbsplit? ======

Hotlinking images is a method used by website owners to save bandwidth by embedding images from an external source, rather than hosting the files directly on their server. On **CBSplit**, enabling hotlinking can be a practical way to reduce your hosting costs and improve site performance. Here’s a step-by-step guide to configure this feature.

==== 1. Navigate to `/apps` and Select Your Domain ====
To begin, log in to your CBSplit account and follow these steps:

- Head to the **`/apps`** section in your dashboard.
- Select the domain you want to configure for hotlinking.
- This ensures you’re making changes to the correct site under your CBSplit setup.

==== 2. Enable the Feature in the Setup Tab ====
Once your domain is selected:

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- Locate the **Setup Tab**.
- Look for the option to enable **Hotlinking Protection** or a similar feature.
- Toggle the setting to "Enable" and save your changes.


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==== 3. Limitations: Compatibility with DOSarrest ====
If your site is configured under **DOSarrest**, hotlinking won't work. DOSarrest is a cloud-based DDoS protection service, and its security mechanisms can interfere with hotlinking features.

To work around this limitation, consider:

- Disabling DOSarrest for your domain, if possible.
- Moving to an alternative security service, such as Cloudflare, which supports hotlinking.

==== 4. Use Cloudflare for Hotlinking ====
Cloudflare is a widely-used content delivery network (CDN) that integrates seamlessly with CBSplit. To enable hotlinking using Cloudflare:

1. Log in to your Cloudflare account and select your domain.
2. Navigate to the **Rules** section and create a new **Page Rule**.
3. Configure the rule to allow hotlinking for specific image files (e.g., `.jpg`, `.png`, `.gif`) hosted on external servers.
4. Save the rule and ensure your Cloudflare settings are synchronized with CBSplit.

==== 5. Benefits of Using Hotlinking on CBSplit ====

- **Reduced Bandwidth Usage:** By serving images from external servers, you decrease the load on your CBSplit hosting.

- **Improved Loading Speed:** Offloading image hosting to a specialized service or CDN enhances site performance.

- **Cost Savings:** Lower bandwidth consumption translates to reduced hosting costs on CBSplit.