Website Security Issues

When you are searching for a web hosting provider with security you should consider a few things. First does the web hosting provider offer a relationship with an SSL certificate provider? If you have a particular feeling toward one provider over another, you should make sure your host is compatible. Does the web host permit binary scripts or applications? Binary code can put your site at risk because it is not secure. Good web host providers will not allow binary code on their shared hosting. Good hosting also will make sure to provide the most current service patches and fixes for their software to make sure they are up-to-date on their security. You can also check on firewall systems which block hackers, and the physical security of their servers. Once you have your website security set up, make sure to use good passwords including numbers, symbols and letters (not words and not the same password you use elsewhere.) Also be sure to have your own anti-virus software and keep it updated.

Personal Firewall

Personal firewall software is easy to set up. If you have your own website, your web hosting company should already have firewall software installed, so you simply need to protect your own personal system from intruders. Each firewall software varies a little bit for installation. Once you purchase your personal firewall software, simply follow the instructions given. If you have problems, contact the company who produced the firewalls software and they can help step you through the problem. The best firewall software has regular updates because there are constantly new threats cropping up and you want to make certain you have the latest security.

Importance of SSL (Website Security)

Any website which conducts business over the Internet and has e-commerce transactions should use SSL (Secure Socket Layer). It is the standard way to secure transactions by encrypting data and providing authentication over the web. SSL prevents hackers from accessing personal information, prevents eavesdropping and tampering of information. All major web browsers have some built-in security capabilities, but if you have a website your server also needs security. That security is provided through an SSL certificate from a certificate authority such as VeriSign or Geotrust.

Free Firewall Software

Firewall software is not very expensive and well worth a small investment to protect your data. Windows XP comes with a built-in firewall and may conflict with other firewall software, so make sure you use one or the other but not both at the same time. There is free firewall software available however many are not kept up-to-date which seems to negate the purpose behind having a firewall. There used to be many free firewalls software programs but now there are only a few left. You need to examine what you are getting for free and if it will provide the security you want. You can settle for a simple lock on your door, or you can get a full-blown security system. The costs associated with having your system attacked are high, so generally it is worth a small investment to make sure you are protected. Both Norton and McAfee offer personal firewall software for a low price and are respected in the industry. There are many other firewall software programs out there, just make sure you are truly getting the security you need.

Digital Authentication Required

A digital certificate is a piece of software that allows any web browser accessing your site to authenticate that you are running a secure web site. Once the browser authenticates your web site's authenticity and web site security, it will show the user a locked padlock symbol or key on the browser, indicating that the site has been authenticated and is OK to use securely. You will need a digital certificate for your site if you plan to run a secure server. You can usually purchase a secure certificate through your web hosting provider, or from a web security specialist like Verisign.

Definition of a Firewall

A firewall is a security measure that prevents hackers and outside sources from successfully attacking your computer, by examining all communication between your computer and outside sources. If a threat is perceived, the firewall will block the communication. A firewall can be hardware or software. Your web hosting company needs to have a firewall in order to protect anyone from destroying or damaging the websites hosted on their servers. You should have a personal firewall (usually software) to protect your personal computer from being breached. Although firewall software is good protection, there is still not a 100% guarantee that your system won't be vulnerable. Make sure you install firewall software updates regularly because new threats occur all the time and you want to have the latest security.

Ecommerce Web Security

Web security is a top priority when you have an ecommerce website. You should consider that the top reason people do not purchase online is because of fear that their personal information is not secure. If you make sure to let your customers know you are concerned about web security and have an SSL certificate for your site, they may feel more comfortable and be more willing to make purchases. In order to get ecommerce web security, you will need a dedicated IP address (provided through your web hosting company), and a SSL certificate which you will need to purchase through a company such as VeriSign, Geotrust, or Thawte. Your webhost may have an arrangement with one of the certificate providers and include a certificate in one of their web hosting packages. SSL provides data encryption, server authentication, client authentication and message integrity.

Best Firewall Software

There are so many options when it comes to firewall software. Which one is the best firewall software out there? Actually the best firewall is not software alone, it is a combination of hardware and software that are most effective. Firewall hardware can be costly but if you run a business and have sensitive data, it is worth the investment for the protection. There are hardware routers you can install between your modem and computer that are not extremely expensive, so you just need to decide how much security you want to have. For your personal system firewall software is easy to install and fairly inexpensive. Norton and McAfee both offer good firewall software, but there are many options available. The best firewall software may be different for different system setups. Make sure you find software that has automatic and regular updates otherwise your firewall may be in place but become outdated quickly and therefore not offer good protection for your system.

SSL Certificates

SSL certificates (or “digital certificates”) are a way to use encryption to secure sensitive data across the internet. SSL stands for Secure Socket Layer. It is basically providing a secure way to transmit data. SSL certificates are issued by companies such as VeriSign, GeoTrust, and Entrust to individual website owners. Having SSL is vital if you have an ecommerce website, so your transactions are protected from outside sources. Digital certificates encode messages from the sender and decode the messages when they are received by the addressee. Any owner of a website which conducts ecommerce should have a SSL Certificate. Pricing varies from each SSL Certificate provider, so make sure you check out your options.

Educating Yourself on Web Site Security

There are a lot of serious issues concerning running a secure web site and web site security in general. If you're wondering if your web site needs to be secure, or if your web site is as secure as it should be, the first step is to educate yourself about web site security. Consider the following:

* Your web site should have a secure component if you plan to collect customer data from a web form.

* Your web site must have a secure component if you plan to collect customer credit card numbers.

* You should have basic security measures in place on any web site to prevent unauthorized access to your web site.

* Your web hosting provider should be able to tell you what security measures it takes for every site as part of regular business procedures and what extra security measures you can purchase.

Benefits of Using a Firewall

Anyone who has had their computer security breached, private information stolen, or been attacked by a computer hacker, understands the importance and benefits of having a firewall and anti-virus software. There are various types of firewalls including physical hardware such as a router, and software to be installed on web hosting servers as well as personal firewall software. Firewalls provide network administrators a way to manage Internet privileges; they protect LANs (Local Area Networks) from intruders, and can also provide security for individual computer systems. Web hosting providers should have firewall protection for their server. A firewall that is configured properly makes it harder for outside hackers to find your system and therefore interfere with your data. If you should get hacked or obtain a worm or virus on your system, firewalls can also block attacks which could launch from your system to protect others.

Reasons to use an Internet Firewall

Every computer user who connects to the Internet needs internet firewall protection. You may think your system is safe since you only go online once in a while and send email. In this day no system is safe and without firewall protection, you are basically opening your door to hackers and thieves. You may feel that no one would want to get into your system, but some hackers have created robots that scan the Internet and if they find a non-protected system they attack. If you are connected to the Internet via cable you are especially vulnerable because your system is constantly connected, therefore it is vital for your security that you have Internet firewall software installed on your computer.

SSL (Secure Socket Layer)

What is SSL and what does it do? SSL stands for Secure Socket Layer. It is used to ensure security for a web site and especially during ecommerce transactions. You know if you are on a secure site if you see https:// rather than http:// at the beginning of the website address. SSL encrypts data between the website and the web browser so it is protected from being intercepted by an outside hacker. If you are sending personal data such as credit card information or social security number, make sure you are using a website which has SSL, or your data can be easily intercepted and used by hackers.

Benefits of Web Hosting Security

If you have ever purchased anything online, you know the feeling of trepidation before you click the button to send your personal credit card information off into cyberspace. Security has become one of the major concerns for those who do business online. There are hackers who break into sites and steal confidential information. There are viruses and worms which can destroy web hosting systems. Security is a vital aspect of today's online transactions. Consumers should be careful to chose web hosting security which are proven. Shared web hosting environments need specific security measures which ensure privacy and that keep other customers from interfering with another customer's operation.

How Much Security Do I Need?

How much web site security do I need for my site? It's a question with no single easy answer. Generally, it's required to have a secure web site, with an SSL server and digital certificate if you are running ecommerce and collecting credit card numbers. Some sites will use a secure server to collect customer data. But for most sites that do not collect sensitive data like credit card numbers, a secure server can be overkill. If you need to make part of your site secure -- accessible by password, for example -- you or a programming consultant can build your own custom security to manage password users and to keep others out. It's not foolproof, but for most sites it does the job.