For those who are unaware, Forex Robots are computer programs designed to trade the foreign exchange markets without human assistance. They are also called Forex Expert Advisors (FX EA, abbreviated if you are looking for a technical term) or Automated software for trading the Forex market uninformed.
While trading Forex Robots in the currency markets is as easy as it is in terms of passive income (if your robot outperforms the market), a problem that most Forex Robot users end up facing is – it’s a small problem of having to have your own robot. The computer is turned on and connected to the Internet using Metatrader 4 (or any other Forex trading platform) that runs 24 hours a day 5 days a week. This means that their robot can pick up trades if an internal algorithm finds them.
The turning point for most Forex Robot users is when they realize they have been in it for a long time and this is what they will be doing for years to come. When inconveniences for other family members and dependence on their Internet Service Provider (ISP) become too much of a burden, they usually start looking for an alternative solution.
The solution to this problem is to host your MetaTrader 4 (MT4) application, including Forex Robot, on a remote PC called a virtual private server (VPS). There are many VPS providers located around the world, and most of them offer online registration forms that allow you to customize everything with a few clicks.
A VPS is essentially another computer similar to yours, but located elsewhere in the world and connected to the Internet 24/7. You access your VPS through a website control panel that will allow you to access Remote Desktop as well as perform virtually any of the actions you normally perform on your home computer.
Remote Desktop usually appears as another browser on your home computer that acts as a window into your VPS computer. This allows you to perform any action as on your own computer.
Some VPS hosts offer special Forex Robot packages in which they have pre-installed version of Metatrader 4 for use, or they will install a number of Metatrader 4 terminals based on the Forex Broker you use. Some Forex brokers also provide traders with free VPS platforms if they meet certain criteria, such as trading a minimum number of lots per month.
Running the Metatrader 4 and Forex Robots app on your VPS is pretty easy if you’re familiar with your computer. Just log in to the VPS control panel (details are provided by the VPS host) and then find something that will help you manage the files on the VPS, commonly referred to as “File Manager” or “File Management”. If you find a directory tree (usually starting with drive C :), just go to the logical location and download the Metatrader 4 and Forex Robots installation file. Then find the link in the control panel called “Remote Desktop” or something similar. Clicking on it will launch Remote Desktop, where you will need to log in again. After logging in, you will see the desktop of the remote computer and will be able to navigate normally. Open Windows Explorer and locate the files you downloaded in Control Panel. Run the Metatrader 4.exe file and that’s it! The form here is the same as you would normally upload your Forex robots to MT4 on your own computer at home.