Numerous Problems to Consider

Most web hosting providers and Internet Service Providers (ISP’s) have extensive systems in place to ensure spam doesn’t clog their systems. Aside from the time and cost to install and maintain the systems, there are many other potential issues with anti-spam systems. For instance, messages blocked in error, accidental blacklisting of an Internet address, accuracy of spam filters, consensus-based filtering system, and issues with white lists.

Spam Filters

A common issue amongst spam filters is those messages blocked in error. Organizations send high-volume messages to their employees but they are not spam. If they are blocked, the ISP will most likely receive a complaint from both the sender and recipient. Specific communications that were never received could end in financial losses resulting in major lawsuits.

Accidental Blacklisting

Another common problem is the accidental blacklist of a specific Internet address. When a large volume of spam is sent from a specific address or group of addresses, these will be placed on a blacklist within spam filters. If these addresses are part of a user’s ISP, they may not be able to send emails to those whose ISP’s are blocking those addresses.

Accuracy

An additional concern is the accuracy of the spam filters. Many users utilize Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail and other free Internet-based email services. These providers offer spam filtering that identify spam and separate it from legitimate emails. Unfortunately, these don’t block 100% of spam emails since spammers are constantly discovering different methods for moving past the filters. Consequently the user still must weed through many messages.

Consensus Filtering

The consensus model can also cause issues. With this type of filtering system, users that receive messages they consider to be spam will report them to a centralized entity. If enough users report a specific message as spam, it will be flagged and blocked. Since there are many grey areas as to what is considered spam, some may not receive important messages. This system is far from perfect.

White Listing

Finally, there are many issues with white lists, which inform the filtering program to allow specific email through based on the source of the message. Individuals can also add their lists to the central bank. Although this method often helps to eliminate spam, it is prone to falsification and spoofing.

Spam filtering systems and methods are far from perfect. While they do help eliminate the majority of spam, there are still many problems that need to be addressed to ensure total security. Spammers continue to find methods around spam blockers, but as technology progresses and security tightens, spam filters will become more effective.

Related posts:

• September 23, 2011 – A Look at Various Anti-Spam Packages
• August 24, 2010 – 3 Tips for Preventing Excessive Hosting Spam
• September 4, 2011 – Spam Assassin – Your Savior From Spam
• June 29, 2011 – How to Conduct a Background Check for Web Hosting Providers
• June 6, 2011 – Surviving Website Downtime
• April 13, 2011 – Using Captcha Scripts to Prevent Spam
• March 2, 2011 – The Release of the February 2011 Email Security Report
• January 13, 2011 – Why Reliable Web Hosting?
• October 4, 2010 – The Disadvantages Associated With POP3 Email
• August 10, 2010 – Spam – Potentially Dangerous, Annoying, and Effective

Malicious Banner Ads

Although most attacks involve taking advantage of vulnerable web applications, attackers have several other weapons that can be used to maliciously exploit your site.  One popular method is through the use of banner ads.  The person you think you’re networking with could be using your site as a medium to propagate their malicious code.  As soon one of your visitors clicks on the compromised banner, they are redirected to a malware hosted site or directly infected depending on the nature of the code.  If you insert third-party advertisements on your website, it is imperative to make sure they do not put you or your visitors in danger.  The best way to do this is knowing how to properly access obfuscated banner code for signs of malicious values.  You could also do some checking to find out if the advertiser you’re working with has a reputation for participating in such activities.

Sneaky Uploads and Downloads

Most website attacks focus on HTML code but it is also possible for malicious items to be uploaded to an improperly secured site.  If you allow users to upload content to your site, they can easily sneak in executables such as Javascript, .exe, .bat and. cmd files.  Attackers have also been known to bundle their harmful programs with applications given away as free downloads.  You will become unpopular if every time someone downloads your free software, they end up with a nasty infection on their PC.  You can learn if your site or applications are being used to distribute malware by downloading the source code from the live site onto a virtual machine and scanning it with a reliable anti-malware tool.

A Few Security Tips

It’s a jungle out there in cyberspace, filled with more hazardous creepy crawlers than you could imagine.  Following these simple tips should help make your website a much safe place to hang out.

Transfer Data Securely – If you allow users to upload to your site or require root access, be sure to utilize SSH and SFTP rather than Telnet or FTP.  These protocols have both been considered insecure because of their tendency to transmit data in plain text.  When using FTP or Telnet, sensitive information such as user names and passwords can be easily read by anyone eavesdropping on the network.  SSH and SFTP are encryption-based protocols that scramble data so it appears in the form of unreadable characters.

Scan Your Website – There are a number of scanning technologies that will comb your site for vulnerabilities.  A good one will not only help you detect insecure applications, but also software packages that require immediate patches.

Secure Hosting - You can take all the preventive measures you want, but if the server you’re hosting on isn’t secure, all those efforts will prove futile.  Make sure your web host is taking the necessary steps to keep you protected behind the scenes.  If they are not making use of features such as firewalls, anti-malware and DDoS protective software, you need pack up your website files and head elsewhere.

Related posts:

• May 26, 2009 – Web Hosting Security at Risk: Are you?
• January 13, 2009 – How to Find Secure Shared Hosting
• December 14, 2011 – Avira Antivirus Features
• November 17, 2011 – Clickjacking: What is it and How You Can Protect Yourself?
• September 23, 2011 – Keep Your Site Safe – Learn What Not to Do
• September 21, 2011 – How To Deal With A Possible Intruder On Your Server
• August 4, 2011 – Secure Shell Security Tips
• June 16, 2010 – Protecting Your Site from DDoS Attacks
• May 5, 2010 – Healthy Website Security Practices
• December 15, 2009 – The Top 3 Web Hosting Security Issues