Shell provider - Definition and Overview

Shell providers are companies which provide shell accounts, user accounts on Unix, Linux, or similar systems, from which the user may run certain programs for a variety of purposes. These may include running IRC bots or servers, secure web browsing, file storage, or simply learning more about an operating system.

This is most often a pay service; however, several free shell providers exist. Free shell providers tend to be short-lived and relatively unstable due to the frequency of Denial of service attacks by malicious users.