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><channel><title>Web Hosting Geeks&#039; Blog &#187; hackers</title> <atom:link href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/tag/hackers/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /><link>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog</link> <description>Web Hosting Industry News, Latest Trends, and Analyses.</description> <lastBuildDate>Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:48:19 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en</language> <sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency> <generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1</generator> <item><title>Bux4Real Attacked by Hackers</title><link>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/04/25/bux4real-attacked-by-hackers/</link> <comments>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/04/25/bux4real-attacked-by-hackers/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Mon, 25 Apr 2011 21:54:23 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Art</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Security Issues]]></category> <category><![CDATA[backup]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bux4Real]]></category> <category><![CDATA[hacker attack]]></category> <category><![CDATA[hackers]]></category><guid
isPermaLink="false">http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=1560</guid> <description><![CDATA[The Bux4Real website has incurred a number of heavy hacker attacks over the past several days. Prior to the attacks, the Bux4Real team announced the development of their revolutionary money-making concept, the Bux4Real creator. The team has promised to continue with development despite these heavy attacks. Statements from Management The Customer Support Director at the [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Bux4Real website has incurred a number of heavy hacker attacks over the past several days. Prior to the attacks, the Bux4Real team announced the development of their revolutionary money-making concept, the Bux4Real creator. The team has promised to continue with development despite these heavy attacks.</p><p><strong>Statements from Management</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The Customer Support Director at the organization released a statement recognizing that these attacks prove Bux4Real is considered a competitive threat by scammers. Therefore, the concept system has proven to be an undesirable asset to the competition with the exception of a few trusted companies. The Bux4Real creator is such a threat because if the team succeeds many competing Bux companies will be eradicated.</p><p><strong>Considerable Damages</strong></p><p>The damages to the current Bux4Real system have been so considerable that even the backup systems have been affected. However, the systems team has been working around the clock to recover as much of the lost data as possible. The Chief Technology Officer is confident the effects of these attacks will be limited.</p><p><strong>Reassurance to the Members</strong></p><p>The company continues to reassure their members that they are working as hard as possible to correct this issue, thus keeping customers satisfied. Unfortunately, a small portion of users will be forced to register their accounts again but none of the benefits will be lost. Executives have asked their members for forgiveness and continue to apologize for this unfortunate event.</p><p><strong>A Bonus</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Therefore, the company is allowing member who lost their accounts extra time to reenter the system. As a result of this attack, the company has decided to give back to the community by giving the first 40,000 members a credit of $10 into their account. The team believes the loyal members will remain through thick and thin.</p><p>Management has further stated that the company is fighting for no mercy to those that attacked the system. They continue to express their gratitude to members and assure them the system will be running and fully functional in a short amount of time.</p><p>There have been a large number of hacker attacks in the recent months. The attack on Bux4Real appears to have done a large amount of damage if members have lost their accounts. Hopefully the new system in development will protect members from any heavy attacks in the future.</p><h3  class="related_post_title">Related posts:</h3><ul
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href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2012/01/20/data-backup-and-recovery-solutions/" title="Data Backup and Recovery Solutions">Data Backup and Recovery Solutions</a></li><li>March 7, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/03/07/a-step-by-step-guide-for-changing-web-hosts/" title="A Step-By-Step Guide for Changing Web Hosts">A Step-By-Step Guide for Changing Web Hosts</a></li><li>November 15, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/11/15/the-basics-of-smtp/" title="The Basics of SMTP">The Basics of SMTP</a></li><li>July 27, 2010 &ndash; <a
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href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/06/16/protecting-your-site-from-ddos-attacks/" title="Protecting Your Site from DDoS Attacks ">Protecting Your Site from DDoS Attacks </a></li><li>May 5, 2010 &ndash; <a
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href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/02/26/php-and-common-web-hosting-security-issues/" title="PHP and Common Web Hosting Security Issues ">PHP and Common Web Hosting Security Issues </a></li><li>February 8, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/02/08/website-security-%e2%80%93-4-ways-to-secure-your-website/" title="Website Security – 4 Ways to Secure Your Website ">Website Security – 4 Ways to Secure Your Website </a></li><li>January 25, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/01/25/the-most-prevalent-php-related-security-risks/" title="The Most Prevalent PHP-Related Security Risks         ">The Most Prevalent PHP-Related Security Risks </a></li><li>January 20, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/01/20/maintaining-website-security-for-customer-satisfaction/" title="Maintaining Website Security for Customer Satisfaction">Maintaining Website Security for Customer Satisfaction</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/04/25/bux4real-attacked-by-hackers/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>1</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>The Basics of SMTP</title><link>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/11/15/the-basics-of-smtp/</link> <comments>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/11/15/the-basics-of-smtp/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Mon, 15 Nov 2010 20:04:21 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Art</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Random Stuff]]></category> <category><![CDATA[hackers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[IMAP]]></category> <category><![CDATA[malicious users]]></category> <category><![CDATA[POP3]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Simple Mail Transfer Protocol]]></category> <category><![CDATA[SMTP]]></category><guid
isPermaLink="false">http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=1215</guid> <description><![CDATA[SMTP is short for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol and is a type of outgoing mail server. Due to the difficulty with maintenance, most web hosting providers do not offer access to simple mail transfer protocols. Also, they can be extremely difficult to defend against hackers and malicious users. Many web hosting companies are also trying [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>SMTP is short for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol and is a type of outgoing mail server. Due to the difficulty with maintenance, most web hosting providers do not offer access to simple mail transfer protocols. Also, they can be extremely difficult to defend against hackers and malicious users. Many web hosting companies are also trying to cut corners to save money so SMTP is one of the first areas to eliminate.</p><p>The most common email systems can be broken down into two functions:</p><ul><li>SMTP</li><li>POP3</li></ul><p>When combined, these two protocols allow users to send and receive email messages across the internet. SMTP performs the functions necessary to send a message from one point or address to another. As a user is sending a message, SMTP confirms that the sender has the right to do so. Then the system sends the outgoing message. If the mail is undeliverable, SMTP sends an email back to the sender notifying them of the failure.</p><p>The majority of email systems utilize SMTP to send messages between servers. POP3 or IMAP platforms are then used to retrieve those send messages on the other end. SMTP is also used to send email messages from a mail client to a mail server. These are the reasons for specifying the SMTP and POP3 or IMAP servers when configuring your email client.</p><p>Configuring the application correctly will identify which SMTP server is being used for sending outgoing messages and which POP3 or IMAP server is used for receiving messages. To complete this task properly, give your email client access to the SMTP server by stating your IP address.</p><p>The user never sees any of these transactions as they are all behind the scenes. The user simply clicks the send button or opens the email and the transfer is complete. With the emergence of IMAP email system technology, SMTP may not be necessary in some cases as it handles both sending and receiving of email messages.</p><p>Like POP3, SMTP has been around for quite awhile, specifically since the mid 1980’s. As technology is improving, the need for these types of systems may be diminishing and making way for one that completes all tasks. For instance, the IMAP technology is implementing aspects of POP3 and SMTP and combining them into one easy-to-use package.</p><p>The concept behind SMTP working in conjunction with POP3 is simple: one sends the messages and one receives them. Although the mechanics in the coding of these systems can be complex, it makes life much easier for those using an email client.</p><h3  class="related_post_title">Related posts:</h3><ul
class="related_post"><li>August 6, 2009 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/08/06/seven-basic-ingredients-of-unix-hosting/" title="Seven Basic Ingredients of Unix Hosting ">Seven Basic Ingredients of Unix Hosting </a></li><li>May 18, 2009 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/05/18/introduction-to-exchange-hosting/" title="Introduction to Exchange Hosting">Introduction to Exchange Hosting</a></li><li>April 25, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/04/25/bux4real-attacked-by-hackers/" title="Bux4Real Attacked by Hackers">Bux4Real Attacked by Hackers</a></li><li>October 4, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/10/04/the-disadvantages-associated-with-pop3-email/" title="The Disadvantages Associated With POP3 Email">The Disadvantages Associated With POP3 Email</a></li><li>July 27, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/07/27/administrative-mistakes-within-a-content-management-systems/" title="Administrative Mistakes within a Content Management Systems">Administrative Mistakes within a Content Management Systems</a></li><li>June 16, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/06/16/protecting-your-site-from-ddos-attacks/" title="Protecting Your Site from DDoS Attacks ">Protecting Your Site from DDoS Attacks </a></li><li>May 5, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/05/05/healthy-website-security-practices/" title="Healthy Website Security Practices ">Healthy Website Security Practices </a></li><li>February 26, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/02/26/php-and-common-web-hosting-security-issues/" title="PHP and Common Web Hosting Security Issues ">PHP and Common Web Hosting Security Issues </a></li><li>February 8, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/02/08/website-security-%e2%80%93-4-ways-to-secure-your-website/" title="Website Security – 4 Ways to Secure Your Website ">Website Security – 4 Ways to Secure Your Website </a></li><li>January 25, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/01/25/the-most-prevalent-php-related-security-risks/" title="The Most Prevalent PHP-Related Security Risks         ">The Most Prevalent PHP-Related Security Risks </a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/11/15/the-basics-of-smtp/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>Administrative Mistakes within a Content Management Systems</title><link>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/07/27/administrative-mistakes-within-a-content-management-systems/</link> <comments>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/07/27/administrative-mistakes-within-a-content-management-systems/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Wed, 28 Jul 2010 02:45:57 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Art</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[CMS]]></category> <category><![CDATA[content management system]]></category> <category><![CDATA[hackers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[installed patches]]></category> <category><![CDATA[user privileges]]></category><guid
isPermaLink="false">http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=1018</guid> <description><![CDATA[Content management systems are excellent pieces of software that perform many tasks. The most important are proper storage of content and retrieval of files in an efficient and timely manner. Blogs and personal and corporate sites all utilize this software for a relief of resources. Content management systems are fairly easy to use resulting in [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Content management systems are excellent pieces of software that perform many tasks. The most important are proper storage of content and retrieval of files in an efficient and timely manner. Blogs and personal and corporate sites all utilize this software for a relief of resources. Content management systems are fairly easy to use resulting in their huge popularity.</p><p>Due to the massive amount of information found within a content management system, they are a prime target for malicious attackers. There are five primary mistakes that administrators make within a content management system. These include:</p><ul><li>Password issues</li><li>Poor web hosting</li><li>Insecure plugins</li><li>Liberal user privileges</li><li>Lack of installed patches</li></ul><p>One of the most common admin mistakes is using easy or blank passwords. Hackers specifically look for passwords that are easy to crack. Default passwords that came with the installation are simple to crack. To combat this simply change the password immediately following installation.</p><p>The second major mistake is utilizing a poor, insecure web host. Hackers look for vulnerabilities within the software as well as the operating system. This creates an easy entrance for them. Unfortunately the issue lies with the web hosting provider and not the admin so there’s little you can do if this occurs. The best method of avoidance is to take preventative measures like conducting proper research prior to selection a provider.</p><p>The third mistake is installing insecure plugins. Since most content management systems rely heavily on plugins, they are a huge security risk. To ensure this does not become a problem, find out if the plugin has been thoroughly tested prior to release. Also, remove plugins that are known to have security holes and risks.</p><p>The fourth mistake is granting liberal privileges to users. Many users will abuse their privileges and hack internally. The rule is to give users the least amount of privileges possible in order to use the website.</p><p>The final mistake is that admins don’t stay current with their upgrades and patches. These were created to patch a security hole. As soon as one is release, it’s advantageous to download and apply it. It’s not necessary to install several patches per day. Instead, be aware of critical updates that may come your way.</p><p>Many of these solutions are common sense. Simply take your time and be aware of any potential issues that may occur. Using preventative measures to ensure the content management system is robust will be beneficial in the long run.</p><h3  class="related_post_title">Related posts:</h3><ul
class="related_post"><li>September 15, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/09/15/alternative-to-wordpress-content-management-systems/" title="Alternative&#8217;s to WordPress &#8211; Other Content Management Systems do Exist">Alternative&#8217;s to WordPress &#8211; Other Content Management Systems do Exist</a></li><li>September 2, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/09/02/transition-content-management-system/" title="When to Transition to a Content Management System">When to Transition to a Content Management System</a></li><li>July 27, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/07/27/establishing-a-strong-content-management-system-strategy/" title="Establishing a Strong Content Management System Strategy">Establishing a Strong Content Management System Strategy</a></li><li>July 13, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/07/13/a-bundle-of-content-management-system-cloud-computing-and-ecommerce/" title="A Bundle of Content Management System, Cloud Computing and eCommerce">A Bundle of Content Management System, Cloud Computing and eCommerce</a></li><li>July 11, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/07/11/integration-between-mailchimp-and-orchard-cms/" title="Integration between MailChimp and Orchard CMS">Integration between MailChimp and Orchard CMS</a></li><li>July 5, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/07/05/the-solution-to-web-content-management-systems/" title="The Solution to Web Content Management Systems">The Solution to Web Content Management Systems</a></li><li>June 17, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/06/17/dvr-system-integrated-with-a-cms/" title="DVR System Integrated with a CMS">DVR System Integrated with a CMS</a></li><li>June 15, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/06/15/drupal-7-to-further-simplify-website-management/" title="Drupal 7 to Further Simplify Website Management">Drupal 7 to Further Simplify Website Management</a></li><li>May 25, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/05/25/web-mapping-through-hilltop-content-management-system/" title="Web Mapping through HillTop Content Management System">Web Mapping through HillTop Content Management System</a></li><li>May 16, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/05/16/exploring-the-release-of-jease-2-0-cms/" title="Exploring The Release of Jease 2.0 CMS">Exploring The Release of Jease 2.0 CMS</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/07/27/administrative-mistakes-within-a-content-management-systems/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>Protecting Your Site from DDoS Attacks</title><link>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/06/16/protecting-your-site-from-ddos-attacks/</link> <comments>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/06/16/protecting-your-site-from-ddos-attacks/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Wed, 16 Jun 2010 17:46:07 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Art</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Security Issues]]></category> <category><![CDATA[DDoS]]></category> <category><![CDATA[DDoS attack]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Denial of Service attack]]></category> <category><![CDATA[exploit]]></category> <category><![CDATA[hackers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[security measure]]></category> <category><![CDATA[web hosting security]]></category><guid
isPermaLink="false">http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=954</guid> <description><![CDATA[Web hosting security is an extremely complex technical field, as it is constantly evolving. Every time someone finds an exploit or a security loophole, the web hosting company has to counteract that action with a security measure. Thus, what is true this year for web hosting security may not be true next year. Hackers employ [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Web hosting security is an extremely complex technical field, as it is constantly evolving. Every time someone finds an exploit or a security loophole, the web hosting company has to counteract that action with a security measure. Thus, what is true this year for web hosting security may not be true next year.</p><p>Hackers employ tools that are just as complex, if not more complex than the web hosting companies themselves, so it can be almost impossible to be completely immune from a highly skilled hacker. Nonetheless, the risks that are posed by security breeches are extremely serious, especially in the world of eCommerce. A compromised website could mean the loss of thousands of dollars, and several unnecessary lawsuits against the site owner. In fact, some people have even lost their online businesses due to hackers! When it comes to hacking exploits, there is one that does not appear to be going away any time soon.</p><p><strong>What is a DDoS Attack?</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>A DDoS attack is a Distributed Denial of Service attack. These attacks have been known to take down entire corporations, and even entire web hosting companies in some instances. They work because they mimic realistic traffic habits to a certain extent, so there is no way to spot them until it is too late. When a hacker employs a DDoS attack they send a massive influx of artificial traffic to a site or to a web server, so rapidly that the server simply cannot handle the load and shuts itself down. The result is near instant downtime, and the loss of revenue for anyone that is hosting their site on that server. The reason why it is called Distributed Denial of Service is because the hacker is distributing a server load that causes automatic denial of services on behalf of the web server.</p><p><strong>Who Gets Hit With DDoS Attacks? </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The sad fact is, anyone can get hit with a DDoS attack, and even more alarming is that this attack is usually the direct result of the nefarious actions of a competitor. In other words, if you have a powerful competitor, then you are already at risk for a DDoS attack. Perhaps even more startling is the fact that these attacks happen all the time on sites that are not even business oriented. Hackers use smaller sites with less security to practice their skills, and send out DDoS attacks to these sites in an attempt to perfect their DDoS skills. If you are not properly protected, then you are at risk for a DDoS attack.</p><p><strong>How to Protect Yourself form a DDoS Attack</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Perhaps the best way to protect yourself from a DDoS attack is to use a web hosting company that emphasizes their ability to counteract such attacks. Some web hosting companies will offer a good price, however their security is lax. In the web hosting industry there is no room for error, especially if you own and operate a thriving online business. One mistake could result in the loss of thousands of dollars, so it is important that you seek out the most qualified web hosting companies.</p><h3  class="related_post_title">Related posts:</h3><ul
class="related_post"><li>April 4, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/04/04/wordpress-recovering-from-ddos-attack/" title="WordPress Recovering from DDoS Attack">WordPress Recovering from DDoS Attack</a></li><li>June 2, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/06/02/how-to-protect-an-apache-web-server-from-ddos/" title="How to Protect an Apache Web Server from DDoS">How to Protect an Apache Web Server from DDoS</a></li><li>May 5, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/05/05/healthy-website-security-practices/" title="Healthy Website Security Practices ">Healthy Website Security Practices </a></li><li>January 15, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/01/15/website-security-avoiding-downtime-that-results-in-loss-of-profit/" title="Website Security: Avoiding Downtime That Results in Loss of Profit">Website Security: Avoiding Downtime That Results in Loss of Profit</a></li><li>December 15, 2009 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/12/15/the-top-3-web-hosting-security-issues/" title="The Top 3 Web Hosting Security Issues">The Top 3 Web Hosting Security Issues</a></li><li>May 26, 2009 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/05/26/web-hosting-security-at-risk-are-you/" title="Web Hosting Security at Risk: Are you?">Web Hosting Security at Risk: Are you?</a></li><li>May 7, 2009 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/05/07/protect-your-site-from-maliciously-activities/" title="Protect Your Site From Maliciously Activities ">Protect Your Site From Maliciously Activities </a></li><li>January 23, 2009 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/01/23/the-dangers-of-insecure-web-applications/" title="The Dangers of Insecure Web Applications ">The Dangers of Insecure Web Applications </a></li><li>September 13, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/09/13/keep-server-safe-common-security-problems/" title="How to Keep Your Server Safe From Common Security Problems ">How to Keep Your Server Safe From Common Security Problems </a></li><li>September 9, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/09/09/several-security-risks-avoid/" title="Several Security Risks and How to Avoid Them">Several Security Risks and How to Avoid Them</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/06/16/protecting-your-site-from-ddos-attacks/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>Healthy Website Security Practices</title><link>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/05/05/healthy-website-security-practices/</link> <comments>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/05/05/healthy-website-security-practices/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Wed, 05 May 2010 16:35:14 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Art</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Security Issues]]></category> <category><![CDATA[antivirus software]]></category> <category><![CDATA[ecommerce]]></category> <category><![CDATA[exploit]]></category> <category><![CDATA[firewall]]></category> <category><![CDATA[hackers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[keylogger]]></category> <category><![CDATA[login credentials]]></category> <category><![CDATA[online business]]></category> <category><![CDATA[secure website]]></category> <category><![CDATA[server security]]></category> <category><![CDATA[website security]]></category><guid
isPermaLink="false">http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=883</guid> <description><![CDATA[Perhaps the most important aspect of operating an online business is keeping your investments secure at all times. The internet is a very dangerous place, especially for business that conduct hundreds or thousands of dollars in eCommerce each and every day. Having a secure website not only prevents the loss of profits, but it also [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Perhaps the most important aspect of operating an online business is keeping your investments secure at all times. The internet is a very dangerous place, especially for business that conduct hundreds or thousands of dollars in eCommerce each and every day. Having a secure website not only prevents the loss of profits, but it also boosts sales as your customers will be more confident when shopping with you if they know that your site is safe.</p><p>Considering that most hackers spend hours every day trying to find new exploits, hacking into sites and looking for opportunities to steal cash form hard working business owners, you need to put forth the same effort to protect your website. Since most do not have the time to work around the clock in keeping their website secure, you need a web hosting company that offers state-of-the-art server security. There are however some things that you can do to protect your website from  hacking attacks.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Firewalls</strong></p><p>Many people overlook the importance of securing their operating system when dealing with their website&#8217;s security. Having a strong firewall is very important to the security of your operating system, and your website. When you upload information from your hard drive to your website, it can be intercepted if you do not have a solid firewall protecting you from the outside world. There are many firewalls available, and your web host will often have one setup on your server by default. However, it is best to have a high quality firewall set up on your server and your operating system for maximum security.</p><p><strong>Securing Your Login Credentials </strong></p><p>When security experts talk about keeping your website protected, they are actually referring to securing the control interface of your website, as this is the area that can be used to hijack or destroy your website if accessed. When a hacker gains access to your administrative interface they are capable of executing any task that you as an administrator could do. This means they can upload content, delete content, and even steal your entire domain by transferring it another host! Thus, the first line of defense is having a strong password. Make sure your password is at least 8 characters long, with two special symbols and two upper case letters. The best way to create a secure password is to use a password generating software. You can find these online for free, and they generate highly secure passwords at the click of a button.</p><p><strong>Strong Antivirus Software</strong></p><p>Having a solid password and firewall will do you no good if your system is vulnerable to viruses. Viruses like keyloggers can infiltrate your system and collect personal information, such as your passwords Even if your password is 20 characters long, it can still be hacked if your computer is infected with spyware and keyloggers. Keyloggers actually log everything that you type into your computer, which means that every time you enter your passwords, the info is sent to the hacker. To prevent something like this from happening, you&#8217;ll need a strong antivirus working to protect your computer at all times. Some antivirus suites come with a firewall and a password generator, so it is possible to handle all of the above precautions with a single powerful antivirus suite.</p><h3  class="related_post_title">Related posts:</h3><ul
class="related_post"><li>February 8, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/02/08/website-security-%e2%80%93-4-ways-to-secure-your-website/" title="Website Security – 4 Ways to Secure Your Website ">Website Security – 4 Ways to Secure Your Website </a></li><li>January 15, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/01/15/website-security-avoiding-downtime-that-results-in-loss-of-profit/" title="Website Security: Avoiding Downtime That Results in Loss of Profit">Website Security: Avoiding Downtime That Results in Loss of Profit</a></li><li>May 26, 2009 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/05/26/web-hosting-security-at-risk-are-you/" title="Web Hosting Security at Risk: Are you?">Web Hosting Security at Risk: Are you?</a></li><li>May 12, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/05/12/essential-shopping-cart-attributes/" title="Essential Shopping Cart Attributes ">Essential Shopping Cart Attributes </a></li><li>March 18, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/03/18/securing-windows-for-web-hosting-safety/" title="Securing Windows for Web Hosting Safety">Securing Windows for Web Hosting Safety</a></li><li>December 24, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/12/24/the-overlooked-connection-between-computer-viruses-and-site-security/" title="The Overlooked Connection Between Computer Viruses and Site Security">The Overlooked Connection Between Computer Viruses and Site Security</a></li><li>December 20, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/12/20/the-eternal-battle-beware-of-the-attackers/" title="The Eternal Battle &#8211; Beware of the Attackers!">The Eternal Battle &#8211; Beware of the Attackers!</a></li><li>August 20, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/08/20/using-ecommerce-web-hosting-to-build-online-shops/" title="Using Ecommerce Web Hosting to Build Online Shops">Using Ecommerce Web Hosting to Build Online Shops</a></li><li>August 19, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/08/19/web-hosting-for-online-businesses-%e2%80%93-dedicated-vs-ecommerce/" title="Web Hosting For Online Businesses – Dedicated vs. eCommerce">Web Hosting For Online Businesses – Dedicated vs. eCommerce</a></li><li>June 16, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/06/16/protecting-your-site-from-ddos-attacks/" title="Protecting Your Site from DDoS Attacks ">Protecting Your Site from DDoS Attacks </a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/05/05/healthy-website-security-practices/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>PHP and Common Web Hosting Security Issues</title><link>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/02/26/php-and-common-web-hosting-security-issues/</link> <comments>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/02/26/php-and-common-web-hosting-security-issues/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:12:12 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Art</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Security Issues]]></category> <category><![CDATA[hackers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[identity theft]]></category> <category><![CDATA[inexperienced web programmers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[novice web developer]]></category> <category><![CDATA[phishing techniques]]></category> <category><![CDATA[PHP]]></category> <category><![CDATA[security lapse]]></category> <category><![CDATA[web applications]]></category> <category><![CDATA[web hosting secuirty]]></category><guid
isPermaLink="false">http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=772</guid> <description><![CDATA[The most common security lapses online are usually the result of a faulty or lazy programmer that has left some sort of loophole somewhere. Most of the time, these web designers and developers have very little time to finish a project, placing security last on their last of priorities. For this reason many of the [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The most common security lapses online are usually the result of a faulty or lazy programmer that has left some sort of loophole somewhere. Most of the time, these web designers and developers have very little time to finish a project, placing security last on their last of priorities. For this reason many of the sub sequential errors are not discovered until they have resulted in serious security lapses for the end user or their network.</p><p><strong>PHP </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>One particular programming language that is becoming increasingly popular amongst newer developers is PHP. PHP is perhaps the easiest programming language to use, and therefore often the most erroneously misused by inexperienced web programmers. PHP&#8217;s ease of use and minimal learning curve make it an optimal opportunity for any novice web developer to create software that is potentially insecure.</p><p><strong>Insecure Web Applications</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>In the past hackers would infiltrate a network using any means possible, including using phishing techniques, identity theft, and any other method to compromise the security of a server or operating system. Now, the main focus has shifted to infiltrating the administrative interface of a website to gain access to online databases and server files.</p><p>The easiest way for most hackers to do this is to find a way in through one of many loopholes that exists in the site&#8217;s web applications. Web applications make the webmasters job easier and more convenient, however like many other tools that increase convenience, web applications come at a price.</p><p><strong>Hiring Your Own Programmers</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Since web applications have direct access to your site&#8217;s administrative functions, these web applications can be taken advantage of for nefarious purposes, and used to access your website&#8217;s control panel. This could prove to be disastrous, especially if you run an online business. For this reason it is best to avoid any new web applications that are built by unreliable sources. If you are planning on using a web application with a busy business website, you may want to hire a personal qualified developer to assist you in creating some custom web applications.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><h3  class="related_post_title">Related posts:</h3><ul
class="related_post"><li>December 15, 2009 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/12/15/the-top-3-web-hosting-security-issues/" title="The Top 3 Web Hosting Security Issues">The Top 3 Web Hosting Security Issues</a></li><li>February 8, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/02/08/website-security-%e2%80%93-4-ways-to-secure-your-website/" title="Website Security – 4 Ways to Secure Your Website ">Website Security – 4 Ways to Secure Your Website </a></li><li>January 25, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/01/25/the-most-prevalent-php-related-security-risks/" title="The Most Prevalent PHP-Related Security Risks         ">The Most Prevalent PHP-Related Security Risks </a></li><li>January 20, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/01/20/maintaining-website-security-for-customer-satisfaction/" title="Maintaining Website Security for Customer Satisfaction">Maintaining Website Security for Customer Satisfaction</a></li><li>December 11, 2009 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/12/11/are-you-paying-too-much-for-web-hosting/" title="Are You Paying Too Much for Web Hosting?  ">Are You Paying Too Much for Web Hosting? </a></li><li>September 22, 2009 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/09/22/server-options-for-e-commerce-hosting/" title="Server Options for E-commerce Hosting ">Server Options for E-commerce Hosting </a></li><li>September 19, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/09/19/php-memory-error-rut-wordpress/" title="Get Out of the PHP Memory Error Rut with WordPress">Get Out of the PHP Memory Error Rut with WordPress</a></li><li>September 14, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/09/14/linux-web-hosting-click/" title="Linux Web Hosting – What Makes it Click?">Linux Web Hosting – What Makes it Click?</a></li><li>September 9, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/09/09/several-security-risks-avoid/" title="Several Security Risks and How to Avoid Them">Several Security Risks and How to Avoid Them</a></li><li>September 7, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/09/07/php-based-content-management-systems/" title="An Overview of PHP-Based Content Management Systems Beyond WordPress">An Overview of PHP-Based Content Management Systems Beyond WordPress</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/02/26/php-and-common-web-hosting-security-issues/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>1</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>Website Security – 4 Ways to Secure Your Website</title><link>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/02/08/website-security-%e2%80%93-4-ways-to-secure-your-website/</link> <comments>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/02/08/website-security-%e2%80%93-4-ways-to-secure-your-website/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:37:37 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Art</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Security Issues]]></category> <category><![CDATA[administrative password]]></category> <category><![CDATA[defacing website]]></category> <category><![CDATA[firewall]]></category> <category><![CDATA[hackers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[identity theft]]></category> <category><![CDATA[keyloggers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[malicious hackers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[penetrate security]]></category> <category><![CDATA[secure website]]></category> <category><![CDATA[security testing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[virus]]></category> <category><![CDATA[website security]]></category><guid
isPermaLink="false">http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=744</guid> <description><![CDATA[One of the biggest priorities when running an online business is website security. Having a secure website will cause your customers to trust your business, thereby boosting sales and increasing your return on investments. The online community is teeming with malicious hackers that are willing to do whatever it takes to penetrate your site&#8217;s security [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>One of the biggest priorities when running an online business is website security. Having a secure website will cause your customers to trust your business, thereby boosting sales and increasing your return on investments. The online community is teeming with malicious hackers that are willing to do whatever it takes to penetrate your site&#8217;s security and compromise the delicate financial information of your clients. You should have the same fervor when attempting to deter these careless intruders. Most customers will not shop at an online store that is not secure, therefore creating a secure environment is essential in the world of online business. The following 4 tips will help make your website a safer place for your customers to shop.</p><p><strong>Strong Administrative Passwords</strong></p><p>Protecting your website means protecting the administrative interface. Once a hacker gains access to your site&#8217;s administrative interface, they can gain control of your entire online business in a few short steps. Once they&#8217;ve access the administrative control panel, hackers can do anything from defacing your website, to committing identity theft or fraud in the name of your business. To prevent hackers from easily gaining access to your website, you&#8217;ll want to use strong passwords that are mix of letters and numbers. These alphanumeric password should be at least 10 characters in length. Try to avoid using any commonly used words or names. Also try not to use dates that are significant in your life, as a hacker may be able to access this information.</p><p><strong>Firewalls</strong></p><p>Firewalls filter information that is transferred to and from your website. By configuring a secure firewall, you&#8217;ll be preventing all unauthorized access to your website. Setting an industry standard firewall at the highest possible security preference is one of the best ways you can deter hackers with ease. Remember that simply having a firewall is not enough to keep you site safe. The firewall must be configured properly.</p><p><strong>Antivirus</strong></p><p>Make sure you use only the best antivirus programs. If your computer contracts a virus, the hacker that distributed this virus could gain access to sensitive information on your computer. Some viruses will install hacking utilities known as KeyLoggers, which record the data inputted from your computer&#8217;s keyboard. This means that everything you type is recorded and then sent to the hacker, including your system and website passwords.   It is imperative that you ensure that your antivirus program is regularly updated to the latest definitions. This will help you to protect your computer from hackers who attack your system in efforts of gaining control or information. Simply having an antivirus program installed is not enough. New viruses are created everyday, so it is important to keep your Antivirus program updated regularly.</p><p><strong>Security Testing</strong></p><p>Once you have all of the above security measures in place, you&#8217;ll want to test the security of your website routinely. Try to use a security analyzing tool regularly. These tools will usually find any existing security lapses and assist you in correcting them. Remember that in order to have good website security, these security measures must be practiced regularly.</p><h3  class="related_post_title">Related posts:</h3><ul
class="related_post"><li>May 5, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/05/05/healthy-website-security-practices/" title="Healthy Website Security Practices ">Healthy Website Security Practices </a></li><li>January 15, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/01/15/website-security-avoiding-downtime-that-results-in-loss-of-profit/" title="Website Security: Avoiding Downtime That Results in Loss of Profit">Website Security: Avoiding Downtime That Results in Loss of Profit</a></li><li>April 14, 2009 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/04/14/is-your-business-website-secure/" title="Is Your Business Website Secure?  ">Is Your Business Website Secure? </a></li><li>December 20, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/12/20/the-eternal-battle-beware-of-the-attackers/" title="The Eternal Battle &#8211; Beware of the Attackers!">The Eternal Battle &#8211; Beware of the Attackers!</a></li><li>February 26, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/02/26/php-and-common-web-hosting-security-issues/" title="PHP and Common Web Hosting Security Issues ">PHP and Common Web Hosting Security Issues </a></li><li>January 20, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/01/20/maintaining-website-security-for-customer-satisfaction/" title="Maintaining Website Security for Customer Satisfaction">Maintaining Website Security for Customer Satisfaction</a></li><li>October 16, 2009 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/10/16/major-threats-to-business-website-security/" title="Major Threats to Business Website Security ">Major Threats to Business Website Security </a></li><li>September 22, 2009 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/09/22/server-options-for-e-commerce-hosting/" title="Server Options for E-commerce Hosting ">Server Options for E-commerce Hosting </a></li><li>August 19, 2009 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/08/19/three-simple-tips-for-protecting-your-site/" title="Three Simple Tips for Protecting Your Site">Three Simple Tips for Protecting Your Site</a></li><li>May 29, 2009 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/05/29/the-need-for-pci-compliant-hosting/" title="The Need for PCI Compliant Hosting">The Need for PCI Compliant Hosting</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/02/08/website-security-%e2%80%93-4-ways-to-secure-your-website/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>1</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>The Most Prevalent PHP-Related Security Risks</title><link>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/01/25/the-most-prevalent-php-related-security-risks/</link> <comments>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/01/25/the-most-prevalent-php-related-security-risks/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:06:51 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Art</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Security Issues]]></category> <category><![CDATA[administrative interface]]></category> <category><![CDATA[hackers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[PHP]]></category> <category><![CDATA[PHP risks]]></category> <category><![CDATA[PHP scripting]]></category> <category><![CDATA[programming language]]></category> <category><![CDATA[remote FTP]]></category> <category><![CDATA[security risks]]></category> <category><![CDATA[sensitive data]]></category><guid
isPermaLink="false">http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=721</guid> <description><![CDATA[PHP is thought to be most useful programming language around, by many web developers. For this reason PHP use is becoming increasingly popular in corporate programming and building independent applications. While PHP scripting has the ability to create just about anything you&#8217;d like with it, the programming framework is not without it&#8217;s security flaws. There [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>PHP is thought to be most useful programming language around, by many web developers. For this reason PHP use is becoming increasingly popular in corporate programming and building independent applications. While PHP scripting has the ability to create just about anything you&#8217;d like with it, the programming framework is not without it&#8217;s security flaws. There are hackers that know how to take advantage of the loopholes in PHP scripting, and they do so everyday through simple web platforms such as WordPress and Drupal. To prevent this from happening to you, you&#8217;ll want to know what the most significant PHP security lapses are so you can take the proper security measures.</p><p><strong>Code Exploits</strong></p><p>Sometimes hackers can use certain lines of code to request and retrieve information from your website. For example, the “allow_url_fopen” option allows users to  request file functions such as “file_get_contents()”, which would in turn allow a perpetrator to retrieve sensitive data from your website via a remote FTP connection.  If you PHP is configured with default settings, then this this function is still enabled, and you will need to manually disable it to keep hackers from executing code exploits on your website. Disabling this function will not take away from the functionality of your website at all, as it is not commonly used. If you do need to use it personally in the future, you can simply enable it as you see fit.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Risky Functions</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Just as in the above situation, every risky PHP function should be disabled to prevent a similar scenario. There are three functions in particular that pose especially dangerous threats, and those are the “EVAL” “shell_ exec” and the “passthru” functions.  Disabling these functions is simple, and can be done by making slight adjustments to the “disable_functions” values in the “php.ini” file. Disabling the EVAL function is actually vital, because it allows a user to request remote control of PHP coding on your website. If this is used in conjunction with another exploit, it can mean serious problems for you and your website. Before you disable these functions, it is a good idea to make sure they are not needed for any particular applications or plugins you are using on your website.</p><p><strong>Unsafe Application Coding</strong></p><p>The  flexibility of PHP is what usually makes it easy for a hacker to breach the security of a website or server. The problem is that the security gaps are most likely not your fault, but rather they lie within the content management system you are using. Many of the applications that people use to make their website management easier, also make it easier for hackers to infiltrate their administrative interface.    This is why it is important to make sure you are using only the most secure plugins and applications to manage your website. In all actuality, it is better to have less functionality than to have a severe security breach on your website. Try to keep the amount of plugins you use to a minimum, and make sure the plugins you use have very secure coding.</p><p><strong>Responsible Programmers<br
/> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Being a programmer is not a simple task, and there are many things to consider when creating an application.  The problem is, there is so much to know, and not every programmer is up to the task of making sure their applications are fool-proof. In fact most of them only want to make an application that will have enhanced functionality and will be popular in the e-community. However, if you are truly serious about maintaining the security of your website then you will use applications that are developed by responsible programmers. This is the primary reason why corporations hire their own private programmers.</p><h3  class="related_post_title">Related posts:</h3><ul
class="related_post"><li>February 26, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/02/26/php-and-common-web-hosting-security-issues/" title="PHP and Common Web Hosting Security Issues ">PHP and Common Web Hosting Security Issues </a></li><li>September 19, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/09/19/php-memory-error-rut-wordpress/" title="Get Out of the PHP Memory Error Rut with WordPress">Get Out of the PHP Memory Error Rut with WordPress</a></li><li>September 14, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/09/14/linux-web-hosting-click/" title="Linux Web Hosting – What Makes it Click?">Linux Web Hosting – What Makes it Click?</a></li><li>September 7, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/09/07/php-based-content-management-systems/" title="An Overview of PHP-Based Content Management Systems Beyond WordPress">An Overview of PHP-Based Content Management Systems Beyond WordPress</a></li><li>April 25, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/04/25/bux4real-attacked-by-hackers/" title="Bux4Real Attacked by Hackers">Bux4Real Attacked by Hackers</a></li><li>January 25, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/01/25/4-crucial-aspects-to-consider-when-choosing-a-web-hosting-plan/" title="4 Crucial Aspects to Consider When Choosing a Web Hosting Plan">4 Crucial Aspects to Consider When Choosing a Web Hosting Plan</a></li><li>January 16, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/01/16/web-hosting-small-companies/" title="Web Hosting for Small Companies">Web Hosting for Small Companies</a></li><li>December 10, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/12/10/linux-hosting-corporation-consumer/" title="Linux Hosting – From Corporation to Consumer">Linux Hosting – From Corporation to Consumer</a></li><li>November 15, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/11/15/the-basics-of-smtp/" title="The Basics of SMTP">The Basics of SMTP</a></li><li>October 7, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/10/07/the-cpanel-softwareservices-area/" title="The cPanel Software/Services Area">The cPanel Software/Services Area</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/01/25/the-most-prevalent-php-related-security-risks/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>Maintaining Website Security for Customer Satisfaction</title><link>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/01/20/maintaining-website-security-for-customer-satisfaction/</link> <comments>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/01/20/maintaining-website-security-for-customer-satisfaction/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Wed, 20 Jan 2010 21:09:56 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Art</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Security Issues]]></category> <category><![CDATA[colocation web hosting]]></category> <category><![CDATA[deface websites]]></category> <category><![CDATA[ecurity flaws]]></category> <category><![CDATA[encrypt data]]></category> <category><![CDATA[hackers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[hijacking home page]]></category> <category><![CDATA[security lapse]]></category> <category><![CDATA[server's security]]></category> <category><![CDATA[website security]]></category><guid
isPermaLink="false">http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=715</guid> <description><![CDATA[There are many vengeful characters on the internet that would love nothing more than to deface your online business by hijacking your home page and placing inappropriate content there. If you are a successful business owner, then chances are you have plenty of people who are jealous of you. If one of these jealous individuals [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>There are many vengeful characters on the internet that would love nothing more than to deface your online business by hijacking your home page and placing inappropriate content there. If you are a successful business owner, then chances are you have plenty of people who are jealous of you. If one of these jealous individuals has the skills, they can possibly take control of your website temporarily and scare away some of your potential customers. Sometimes these individuals are your competition, but most of the time they are just annoying hackers that do it for fun.  On occasion opposing corporations will even pay hackers to deface websites in order to keep a stronghold on the market! Being the victim of one of these attacks can be embarrassing and financially detrimental.</p><p><strong>How do Hacker&#8217;s Deface Websites?</strong></p><p>Hackers employ a number of tools and methods to gain control of a website&#8217;s content. In most instances they will gain access to the server via a security lapse in the operating system, unsafe web site applications, or another flaw in the server&#8217;s security. If the hacker cannot access the server through a basic loophole, they may execute browser based attacks with remote code. Regardless of how the hacker gains access to your site, you should be prepared and secured against such an attack.</p><p><strong>Preventing Defacement With Website Security</strong></p><p>To prevent defacement, you will need to make sure your data is secured on both your server and your computer.  Website security should be a top priority any time you are looking for a web hosting provider. Make sure you ask about protection against website defacement when you are inquiring with the companies customer service rep. If you host a private server then you will want to make sure the server is in a safe place. Co-location hosting is an option for people who are looking or top-notch security without having their own warehouse or storage facility.</p><p><strong>Preventing Defacement with Server Security</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Having your server stored in a secure place will keep your hardware secure, but it will not fully secure the data stored on the hardware. In fact, most hackers don&#8217;t even consider stealing your hardware, they would rather access it remotely through a security lapse in an application stored on the server.  Keeping your operating system updated with the latest patches will make the hacker&#8217;s job much more difficult.  It is also a good idea to keep your web applications and any other software associated with your server updated and secure. Even after you have acquired all of the updates needed, it is still necessary to encrypt any data stored on, or sent through the server.</p><p><strong>Preventing Defacement with Secure Applications</strong></p><p>Quite often, hackers gain access to the server through a web application with weak security. In fact, most web applications have faults that can be easily exploited. For this reason you should only use web applications that you know are secure. If you have the resources, you may want to have your web applications designed by a personal team of developers who are aware of your security needs. If you cannot have this done then it is prudent to minimally research the possible security flaws that exist within the applications you are currently using.</p><h3  class="related_post_title">Related posts:</h3><ul
class="related_post"><li>May 5, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/05/05/healthy-website-security-practices/" title="Healthy Website Security Practices ">Healthy Website Security Practices </a></li><li>February 26, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/02/26/php-and-common-web-hosting-security-issues/" title="PHP and Common Web Hosting Security Issues ">PHP and Common Web Hosting Security Issues </a></li><li>February 8, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/02/08/website-security-%e2%80%93-4-ways-to-secure-your-website/" title="Website Security – 4 Ways to Secure Your Website ">Website Security – 4 Ways to Secure Your Website </a></li><li>January 15, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/01/15/website-security-avoiding-downtime-that-results-in-loss-of-profit/" title="Website Security: Avoiding Downtime That Results in Loss of Profit">Website Security: Avoiding Downtime That Results in Loss of Profit</a></li><li>December 15, 2009 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/12/15/the-top-3-web-hosting-security-issues/" title="The Top 3 Web Hosting Security Issues">The Top 3 Web Hosting Security Issues</a></li><li>October 16, 2009 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/10/16/major-threats-to-business-website-security/" title="Major Threats to Business Website Security ">Major Threats to Business Website Security </a></li><li>August 19, 2009 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/08/19/three-simple-tips-for-protecting-your-site/" title="Three Simple Tips for Protecting Your Site">Three Simple Tips for Protecting Your Site</a></li><li>April 25, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/04/25/bux4real-attacked-by-hackers/" title="Bux4Real Attacked by Hackers">Bux4Real Attacked by Hackers</a></li><li>April 13, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/04/13/using-captcha-scripts-to-prevent-spam/" title="Using Captcha Scripts to Prevent Spam">Using Captcha Scripts to Prevent Spam</a></li><li>April 1, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/04/01/three-reasons-why-colocation-hosting-is-more-expensive/" title="Three Reasons Why Colocation Hosting Is More Expensive">Three Reasons Why Colocation Hosting Is More Expensive</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/01/20/maintaining-website-security-for-customer-satisfaction/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>Website Security: Avoiding Downtime That Results in Loss of Profit</title><link>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/01/15/website-security-avoiding-downtime-that-results-in-loss-of-profit/</link> <comments>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/01/15/website-security-avoiding-downtime-that-results-in-loss-of-profit/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:41:34 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Art</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Security Issues]]></category> <category><![CDATA[block IP]]></category> <category><![CDATA[data encryption]]></category> <category><![CDATA[DDoS attack]]></category> <category><![CDATA[downtime]]></category> <category><![CDATA[ecommerce site]]></category> <category><![CDATA[firewall]]></category> <category><![CDATA[firewall administration]]></category> <category><![CDATA[hackers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[security loopholes]]></category> <category><![CDATA[security protocols]]></category> <category><![CDATA[SSL encryption]]></category> <category><![CDATA[website security]]></category><guid
isPermaLink="false">http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=708</guid> <description><![CDATA[Running an online business is not an easy task, and it can be very difficult to stay on top of all of the responsibilities that come with it. Customer satisfaction and safety is of the utmost importance when running an ecommerce site, and the only way to ensure the security of your website is by [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Running an online business is not an easy task, and it can be very difficult to stay on top of all of the responsibilities that come with it. Customer satisfaction and safety is of the utmost importance when running an ecommerce site, and the only way to ensure the security of your website is by following strict security protocols on a regular basis. Hackers are constantly searching for security loopholes and lapses that they can exploit to gain access to sensitive information such as credit card numbers. Sometimes, even when they are not successful at retrieving this information, they can still cause your site to crash by consuming server resources.  When you site goes down, even for a few minutes, you could possibly lose several customers and thousands of dollars. To prevent yourself form losing business due to poor security measures, the following precautions should be exercised.</p><p><strong>Serious Firewalls</strong></p><p>Even though most web hosting providers employ firewalls by default, a lot of these firewalls are not properly configured and the restrictions can easily be circumvented by a knowledgeable hacker. If you want to ensure the security of your website(s), then you should inquire about he strength of the firewalls and it is important to have the capability to adjust firewalls to your specifications. If your web hosting company does not allow you to make changes to your site&#8217;s firewall, then you need to consider another service.</p><p>A good example of the need for firewall administration abilities, would be when a hacker is sending malicious traffic to your site form a certain IP. In this instance, it would be crucial to block this IP, and as a domain owner with a hosting account, you should have the right to do so.  The safest web hosting services offer IDS (Intrusion Detection Systems). Any breaches to your firewall can cause downtime and loss of business, therefore it is crucial to have the serious firewalls protecting your website a all times.</p><p><strong>Protection from Distributed Denial of Service Attacks (DDoS)</strong></p><p>Although a DDoS attack is a very basic and commonly used attack, it is also extremely difficult to prevent and treat. This simple yet effective attack can cause downtime in many websites by affecting the server functionality. This means that even users who are unrelated to the attack will suffer.  Therefore it is important to inquire about an Anti-DDoS feature before purchasing a web hosting plan.</p><p><strong>Proper Data Encryption</strong></p><p>If you plan on selling your services or products online, then data encryption is essential. All web hosting plans should include SSL encryption. SSL encryption will transform sensitive date from plain text into special code that make interception by a hacker very difficult. While most web hosting companies offer this feature by difficult. You may want find one that will give you the option to purchase a private certificate for added security benefits.</p><h3  class="related_post_title">Related posts:</h3><ul
class="related_post"><li>May 5, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/05/05/healthy-website-security-practices/" title="Healthy Website Security Practices ">Healthy Website Security Practices </a></li><li>February 8, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/02/08/website-security-%e2%80%93-4-ways-to-secure-your-website/" title="Website Security – 4 Ways to Secure Your Website ">Website Security – 4 Ways to Secure Your Website </a></li><li>December 20, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/12/20/the-eternal-battle-beware-of-the-attackers/" title="The Eternal Battle &#8211; Beware of the Attackers!">The Eternal Battle &#8211; Beware of the Attackers!</a></li><li>June 16, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/06/16/protecting-your-site-from-ddos-attacks/" title="Protecting Your Site from DDoS Attacks ">Protecting Your Site from DDoS Attacks </a></li><li>January 20, 2010 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/01/20/maintaining-website-security-for-customer-satisfaction/" title="Maintaining Website Security for Customer Satisfaction">Maintaining Website Security for Customer Satisfaction</a></li><li>December 15, 2009 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/12/15/the-top-3-web-hosting-security-issues/" title="The Top 3 Web Hosting Security Issues">The Top 3 Web Hosting Security Issues</a></li><li>October 16, 2009 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/10/16/major-threats-to-business-website-security/" title="Major Threats to Business Website Security ">Major Threats to Business Website Security </a></li><li>August 19, 2009 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/08/19/three-simple-tips-for-protecting-your-site/" title="Three Simple Tips for Protecting Your Site">Three Simple Tips for Protecting Your Site</a></li><li>January 23, 2009 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/01/23/the-dangers-of-insecure-web-applications/" title="The Dangers of Insecure Web Applications ">The Dangers of Insecure Web Applications </a></li><li>November 28, 2011 &ndash; <a
href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/11/28/bit-defender-security/" title="Bit-Defender Internet Security Review">Bit-Defender Internet Security Review</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/01/15/website-security-avoiding-downtime-that-results-in-loss-of-profit/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> </channel> </rss>
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