Key takeaways:
- cWatch focuses on website security, helping protect websites from malware and other online threats.
- Xcitium Backup focuses on backup and recovery, helping preserve website data and restore it after data loss or other disruptions.
- Website owners benefit from using both cWatch and Xcitium Backup for a more robust website protection strategy.
For many small businesses, a website is one of their most important business assets. Protecting it requires more than simply keeping it online. You must also safeguard the data and functionality that support day-to-day operations, and the cost of failing to do so can be high. According to Verizon’s 2026 Breach Impact Study, in the most severe incidents, data-breach-related losses exceeded 7% of annual revenue for some small and medium-sized businesses.
Businesses need a reliable way to recover website data and functionality when unexpected issues occur. This is where cWatch and Xcitium Backup come in. While both contribute to website protection, they serve different purposes. cWatch protects websites from cyberthreats, while Xcitium Backup ensures your website and customer data are safe in the event of a security incident that leads to data loss.
In the following sections, we’ll explain what each service does, where they differ, how they overlap, and what to consider when evaluating pricing and coverage.
Your website deserves proactive protection
Help reduce the risk of malware, suspicious activity, and other online threats with cWatch.
What is cWatch?
cWatch is a website security service designed to help keep your site secure through continuous monitoring, threat detection, and incident response. Its primary role is to help identify, prevent, and address website security threats before they affect your website, visitors, or business operations.
Key cWatch features include:
- Continuous website monitoring to help identify potential security issues as they arise.
- Malware detection and removal to help keep your website free from malicious code.
- Web Application Firewall (WAF) protection to filter suspicious traffic before it reaches your website.
- Vulnerability and suspicious-activity monitoring to help uncover risks that could compromise your site.
Unlike a backup service, cWatch focuses on proactive protection. It helps maintain a stronger security posture by identifying risks and responding to threats that could compromise your site.
If maintaining a secure and reliable website is a priority, cWatch can help reduce security risks before they affect your business.
What is Xcitium Backup?
Xcitium Backup is a website backup and recovery service that’s designed to automatically preserve website files and databases so they can be restored after accidental deletion, site corruption, or data loss. Xcitium Backup replaces the now-discontinued CodeGuard with the same core features, which include:
- Automatic website backups to help save recoverable copies of your website.
- Database backups to help preserve website content, settings, and other critical data.
- File change monitoring to help identify unexpected modifications to your website.
- One-click recovery to help restore a previous website version when needed.
Unlike a website security service, Xcitium Backup focuses on data preservation and recovery. It helps ensure your website and customer data remain recoverable when unexpected issues occur.
If preserving business-critical website data is a priority, explore Xcitium Backup to see how its backup and recovery capabilities can support business continuity.
What are their differences?
cWatch and Xcitium Backup differ in the problems they solve. One focuses on prevention, while the other focuses on recovery. Although both contribute to broader website protection, they address different risks and are not direct substitutes.
The table below highlights their primary functions, key capabilities, and ideal use cases to help you determine which solution best fits your needs.
Feature | cWatch | Xcitium Backup |
|---|---|---|
Primary purpose | Website security and threat protection | Website backup and recovery |
Primary focus | Preventing, detecting, and responding to threats | Preserving and restoring website data |
Continuous monitoring | Yes | Limited to backup-related monitoring |
Malware detection | Yes | No |
Malware removal | Yes | No |
Web Application Firewall (WAF) | Yes | No |
Vulnerability monitoring | Yes | No |
Yes | No | |
Automatic backups | No | Yes |
Database backups | No | Yes |
File change monitoring | Yes | Yes |
Website restoration | Limited | Yes |
Best for | Website owners prioritizing proactive security | Website owners prioritizing recoverability and data protection |
Security vs. backup and recovery
Website protection is most effective when it addresses both risk reduction and business continuity. While security measures help strengthen a website’s defenses, recovery tools help restore operations when unexpected issues occur.
Comparison area | cWatch | Xcitium Backup |
|---|---|---|
Primary job | Website security | Website backup and recovery |
Threat handling | Detects, blocks, and remediates threats such as malware | Preserves recoverable website files and data |
Best use case | Prevention, monitoring, and threat response | Restoration, data recovery, and business continuity |
A backup is not a substitute for active malware and attack protection. Likewise, strong security measures do not guarantee that website files or data will be preserved. Together, these capabilities help reduce risk and minimize the impact of website incidents.
Where cWatch and Xcitium Backup overlap
Although cWatch and Xcitium Backup are designed for different purposes, they share a broader goal: helping website owners maintain a reliable online presence. Both services include monitoring capabilities that help surface potential issues and reduce the risk of prolonged disruptions.
Their overlap lies in the outcome rather than the functionality. Both support website protection, business continuity, and customer trust, helping safeguard what you’ve built online. Whether through security measures or recoverable backups, each service contributes to a more resilient website experience.
cWatch vs. Xcitium Backup pricing
Pricing varies based on the plan and level of coverage you choose, and each service is designed to address a different aspect of website protection. As a result, the best value depends on your website’s needs, whether that’s stronger security, reliable backup and recovery, or a combination of both. Review the available plans to choose the option that best aligns with your needs.
cWatch pricing
cWatch offers three security-focused options. Premium is designed for ongoing website monitoring and basic protection, while Defend adds more advanced security capabilities for businesses that want stronger protection against website threats. For websites that have already been compromised, 911 provides a one-time malware cleanup and recovery service.
Xcitium Backup pricing
Xcitium Backup offers tiered backup plans based on the number of websites, storage allocation, and recovery capabilities included. Higher-tier plans provide additional storage, unlimited restores, and on-demand backups, making them better suited for businesses with larger websites or more demanding recovery requirements.
Frequently asked questions
No. cWatch focuses on website security, while Xcitium Backup focuses on backup and recovery. They serve different purposes and are designed to solve different problems.
No. cWatch is designed for website protection and threat management, not dedicated backup and recovery. If preserving and restoring website data is your priority, consider Xcitium Backup.
Network Solutions transitioned qualifying CodeGuard subscriptions to Xcitium Backup for renewals on or after May 15, 2026. Visit the CodeGuard to Xcitium Backup transition article for more information.
Absolutely. cWatch and Xcitium Backup address complementary website security and backup needs, making them a practical combination for more robust website protection.
Yes, especially for businesses that rely on their website to generate leads, sales, or customer engagement. cWatch helps protect your website from malware and other security threats, helping reduce downtime and maintain trust with visitors and search engines.
Alternatives to Xcitium Backup include services such as Jetpack Backup and BlogVault, as well as backup tools offered by some web hosting providers. Xcitium Backup distinguishes itself through automated backups, website monitoring, and recovery features designed to simplify website restoration when needed.
Which option is better for your website?
No single option is better than the other. cWatch and Xcitium Backup address different but equally important aspects of website protection. If you’re choosing between the two, start with your immediate priority: choose cWatch for proactive website security and choose Xcitium Backup for preserving and restoring website data. For broader protection and recoverability, however, using both services together offers the most comprehensive approach.
Your website is an important part of your business. Having the right safeguards in place means you’re not just reacting to issues but preparing for them. Build a more resilient website today and explore our cWatch and Xcitium Backup services.
