Is SSL Essential for eCommerce Sites?

As the number of eCommerce websites grows, the security software must improve to protect webmasters from hackers acquiring sensitive customer information. One such technology is Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) which permits the site administrator to transfer the contents of web pages to visitors over a secure protocol (HTTPS versus HTTP). One example of this technology is with banking websites. Should eCommerce Websites Use SSL? However, this begs the question, should eCommerce websites also use this type of security? They all handle important customer data that could be harmful if released to the wrong hands. This really depends on the type of business and functions the website serves

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Is SSL Essential for eCommerce Sites?

Are SEO Services Worth the Money?

Since the launch of Google, SEO services have been around to assist webmasters with ranking high in the search engine results. Many startups, bloggers and online entrepreneurs eventually reach a point where they must work on the SEO of their website. Therefore, two choices arise: learn about the subject to become an SEO guru or pay a company to complete the task. Internal SEO Development and Implementation Luckily, SEO is not difficult to implement but takes a large amount of time and effort. Once you become proficient at the practice and understand the process, it is not that difficult. Therefore, from a financial aspect the question arises: Is it more time consuming to implement SEO myself? Webmaster Priorities This is a tricky question as it really depends on the webmasters priorities. If you know redeveloping the content of a website to be more SEO compliant would only take several days of work but an online company can do it for $200, you need to decide how your time and money are best spent

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Are SEO Services Worth the Money?

Establishing a Strong Content Management System Strategy

When overhauling a web content management system, it is critical to always consider the end user. These end users could include customers or internal employees who simply engage in the interface of a website. When revamping a content management system, organizations typically also include the end user throughout the entire process. Also, all departments should take part in strategy discussions to ensure each segment is given the functions they require. Involving all Departments in Discussions If all departments are not involved in discussions, there will be more work fixing the functions left out at a later date. However, firms can get carried away with this idea. Therefore, the main focus of the implementation of a new content management system is to make the lives easier of those who are using it. Avoid Formally Defining the Project Another successful development strategy is to avoid defining it as a project with a beginning, middle and end

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Establishing a Strong Content Management System Strategy

New Customer Support Options at HostingZoom

Web hosting provider, HostingZoom, recently launched around the clock phone, ticket, live chat and email customer support. HostingZoom offers a variety of web hosting services including cPanel clustered failover, VPS, reseller and dedicated server hosting. Customers will now have instant access to knowledgeable training sales and technical support staff anytime of the day to ensure quick responses to questions regarding their accounts. Providing an Unparalleled Level of Service Since HostingZoom continues to expand, it is important that their customers have an unparalleled level of service to ensure they receive the most value from cPanel hosting solutions. The support is fast, reliable and available at anytime through a number of different mechanisms. Also, the hosting provider guarantees quick response times for every inquiry. This includes even the most complicated technical issues. A Statement from HostingZoom HostingZoom representatives published a statement saying that the key to maintaining their brand image is through an increase in high quality support.

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New Customer Support Options at HostingZoom

LulzSec’s Hacking Career Slated to End

Well-known Internet mayhem group LulzSec recently announced to its followers that it will cease its campaign of web-based attacks. The group implemented numerous DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks on a variety of targets during its 50-day spree of chaos. Many of the attacks were a result of poor security measures. Utilizing Twitter Feeds Ironically, the group left numerous tips on its Twitter feeds for its victims. For instance, when Fox Broadcasting was attacked, LulzSec released a Twitter update stating, “Don’t use the same password twice. Your laziness will not end well.” Another guideline announced was to not using prepaid credit cards to conduct online purchases.

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LulzSec’s Hacking Career Slated to End

Joomla Expansion Efforts

Joomla recently released version 1.7 of their self-titled software which has been redesigned to support functions outside the scope of traditional web content management. Developers and website administrators will now be able to use the software as a framework for other types of web applications. New Development Lifecycle The updated version is also the beginning of a new development lifecycle for open-source software in general. This variant allows for quick updates and long-term support for corporations. The two primary goals for the software were to release an on-time, complete platform. Scheduled Releases The Joomla team plans to release a new version every six months; in January and July. Also, every third release will carry the designation of a long-term release (LTS) which will offer support for 18 months complete with security upgrades and bug fixes. The next version of the software, which is due in January, will be LTS

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Joomla Expansion Efforts

How to Combat a DDoS Attack

Companies with a web presence can expect to experience a DDoS (Distributed Denial-of-Service) attack at any given time without prior warning.  It isn’t a matter of if; it’s a matter of when.  DDoS are a result of an overwhelming demand of server requests, typically caused by heavy traffic to a specific website.  Additionally, a DDoS attack can occur when online data is attacked by computer network or other websites with malice intent.  In addition to knocking websites offline, the attacks have the potential to crash e-mail, cloud services, or a variety of other client services. Power house companies including Amazon, Visa, MasterCard, as well as federal government websites haven’t been immune from DDoS attacks.  The disastrous event causes numerous headaches for business owners with online ventures as they have little control over the attacks, however, planning and preparation for a DDoS attack helps to alleviate the detrimental consequences. Taking the First Step The first step in combating a DDoS attack is taking an initial assessment of the company’s risk.  For businesses that tend to do the majority of their transactions online or utilize Web-dependent services, the chances increase for being a target of a DDoS attack; therefore it’s important to develop a contingency plan. Consulting with an IT team, along with the network administrator, is the best line of defense when devising a game plan.  It’s important to secure the company’s risk of exposure.  When analyzing potential security breaches, it’s vital to implement caching, static home pages, CDNs, standby servers, scaling/burstable network connections, and adequate infrastructure to handle heavy traffic flow.  Additionally, proper configuration and altered performance monitoring can assist in detecting when a site is actually under attack. Responding to DDoS Attacks Responding efficiently to a DDoS attack is equally as important as preparation.  It’s imperative to have a comprehensible hierarchy of support staff and providers in place to contact immediately upon being attacked.  Often such individuals include in-house IT staff or hosting providers, ISP, and vendors to quickly coordinate an effective response to the event.   The quicker a response is launched, the faster the issue is resolved

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How to Combat a DDoS Attack

Data Foundry Opens Data Center in Austin

Colocation web hosting provider Data Foundry recently opened its newest data center in Austin, Texas. The company claims the facility is the first “purpose-built, carrier-neutral data center in the Central Texas region.” Preparations for the opening of the new data center began in May 2011 when the company held a large job fair in Austin to hire talented employees for the new location. Location of the Data Center The data center is located on a 40-acre data ranch campus in Austin. The opening is the initial phase of the 250,000 square foot facility which is fully functional. Despite the recent opening, the first customers have already begun to move in. Data Foundry currently operates two other carrier-neutral data centers in the state. The first is the ADC which is also located in Austin.

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Data Foundry Opens Data Center in Austin

First Deployment of R1Soft Data Protection by Servers Australia

Australian-based web hosting provider Servers Australia recently announced the launch of a well-known, highly respectable backup solution from software developer R1Soft. This program provides customers with exclusive backup options and disaster recovery while protecting data on web hosting provider’s servers. According to Servers Australia, the company will offer CDP backups to all virtual private servers and dedicated hosting customers regardless of the management level. Cross-Platform Compatibility Furthermore, the company stated the new backup system will be able to protect Windows and Linux-based servers as well as physical and virtual servers due to the cross-platform compatibility. The software will also feature reliable data protection for use with MySQL database services. Robust and Secure Software Solutions R1Soft is well-known in the web hosting industry for robust and secure software solutions which puts the minds of clients at ease. Also, Servers Australia has conducted extensive internal testing and confirms that CDP software is consistent with the claims. In a recent press release the Chief Information Officer of Servers Australia confirmed that R1Soft provides an excellent solution for data protection that is reliable and affordable

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First Deployment of R1Soft Data Protection by Servers Australia

Domain Name Expansion Expected to Create Major Problems

The number of top-level domains is expected to become much more populated in the coming years. The landscape for this explosion will begin in the coming months so battles for branding and digital turf are expected to get ugly. This is a result of the decisions made by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers to create new domain name extensions for a more brand-able online appeal. For instance a DuPont top-level name could be .DuPont. Current Preparations A local Internet lawyer is already preparing to fight for one of his clients for .Philly. New York City officials have clearly indicated that .NYC is a civic asset and has already taken the necessary steps to preserve the domain name. Additionally, large companies are scooping up their domain name extensions such as .Microsoft, .Google and .Ford.

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Domain Name Expansion Expected to Create Major Problems

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