Communicating across cyberspace never been more risky, especially with new hackers being born every day and current fraud levels at an all-time high. The Internet is teeming with hackers and cyber criminals that will do anything to earn some quick cash with minimal work. Perhaps the easiest way for a hacker to make a lot of money is to steal confidential sensitive financial data that is being transmitted from one e-mail address to another. Fortunately, this is a relatively difficult task for even the most experienced hacker, as web hosting providers and e-mail providers have developed complex security algorithms and encryption techniques that have nearly eliminated data interception. However, if you’re still concerned about the safety of webmail communications facilitated by your hosting provider, consider the following paragraphs that describe how hosting providers maintain secure webmail communications on a continual basis.

How Are E-Mails Encrypted?

Whenever you are connected to the inbox of your webmail you are actually connecting to a web server via a secured connection, in which all data that is transmitted and received to and from your computer is completely encrypted. The encrypted data server uses special software to gather information and then scramble it into complete nonsense, simultaneously generating the key that can be used to decipher this “nonsense” within the receiving web server. Only the receiving web server contains this key, and the data is therefore useless until it reaches the server. Thus, the only way for a hacker to intercept e-mail communications is to either hack into the e-mail inbox of the user by somehow obtaining their login credentials (i.e. – via spyware/viruses like keyloggers), or to hack into the receiving inbox for a web server that contains the encryption key. Data is encrypted utilizing complex mathematical algorithms that scramble data instantly, and upon arriving at its destination the data is decrypted utilizing the same algorithm that transforms it back into legible form.

How Are Website E-Mail Forms Secured?

If you own a website then you are probably familiar with contact forms, which can be utilized by your site visitors to contact you via webmail without leaving your site. Unfortunately, contact pages make it possible for hackers to send spam e-mails to your webmail through the contact form. Thankfully, web hosting providers have been able to successfully deal with this form of e-mail spam for quite a while now. By utilizing on-page captchas, which are basically photographic images containing various characters, website contact forms now force users to verify that they are a human being before they can submit an e-mail. Hosting providers also block repetitive e-mails that originate from the same IP address to prevent unwanted e-mail harassment.

Securing E-Mail Credentials

Web hosts also offer password generators within the backend interface of your hosting control panel, which allow you to automatically generate complex passwords that minimize the possibility of having your e-mail accounts hacked. It is highly recommended that such password generators be used anytime you are creating an e-mail account for online business operations. Be sure to store the generated password within a password-protected file, and for maximum security backup this file on external media such as a USB flash drive or external hard drive.

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Original: How Web Hosting Providers Maintain Secure Webmail Communications

The single most important feature a web hosting plan can have is a good encryption service. Without proper data encryption, all of the information sent to and from your website can be intercepted by hackers and other cyber criminals. If you run an online business, this can prove to be especially dangerous, as there is important information being transferred on your web server daily, including credit card numbers, bank account numbers, addresses, phone numbers and other information that your customers entrust to you. If this information is intercepted you may be held liable, and ultimately your business could be dismantled.

What is Encryption?

Encryption is the transformation of plain information into encrypted information which cannot be viewed by an outsider without a special key that unlocks the encryption. When data transfers through an encryption service it is scrambled in a seemingly arbitrary fashion. By the time it reaches the other side of the portal, the data is completely unrecognizable and cannot be used by any third party without the key that is custom generated during the encryption process. The encryption services uses a computer algorithm to create a random cipher which prevents hackers from accessing the encrypted information. Many people also use the term decryption to refer to the process of deciphering the information for the end users usability. Over the years the standards for encryption has changed notably.

WEP

WEP – (Wired Equivalent Privacy)  is an algorithm that has been deprecated to effectively secure all IEEE 802.11 wireless networks. Since wireless networks broadcast their messages utilizing radio waves, they are susceptible to intruders, even more than conventional networks with wires attached.  When it was first released, WEP  proposed to provide  completely confidentiality similar to that of a conventional wired network. However, in 200 various crucial weaknesses were noticed by professional   cryptanalysts, and it is now a widely accepted fact that a  WEP connection can be hacked easily obtainable software in a very short time period.

WPA

In response to the aforementioned weaknesses of WEP, WPA was created.

WPA/WPA2 – (Wi-Fi Protected Access)  is a program that provides certification, developed by the Wi-Fi Alliance to represent complete compliance with all security protocol instilled by the Wi-Fi Alliance. These protocols are specifically designed to maintain safety in all wireless networks. The WPA protocol enables safe functionality of IEEE 802.11i standard, but was initially meant to an intermediate security measure to temporarily substitute WEP while 802.11i was being prepared. The later developed WPA2 established an advanced protocol that is now seen as the full standard in data encryption.

Conclusion

Having the proper encryption services to protect your online website is absolutely imperative, especially when running an online business. Knowing the nature for encryption services and what the industry standard is will help you make the right decision without having to experience costly trial and error mishaps. Using only thee best encryption services will keep your business from suffering, and will prevent you and your customers from being victimized.

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Original: Web Hosting Encryption History – From WEP to WPA

Social networking users have become easy prey for cyber criminals as more and more users share private data to the public. Criminals are harvesting and distributing Facebook users’ information, sending spam, planting viruses, and stealing identities. Users put themselves at risk each day by carelessly clicking on invitations to join groups from their ‘friends’. They put all their private data including photos and date of birth on their page. They even reply to fake requests for security information.

These are ten tips to help users stay safe on Facebook:

1. Consider who you add: Approving requests from your friends provides them with access to your messages, photographs, posts and basic information. You need to go through your friends list and consider who you really want to view your stuff.

2. Review privacy settings: Facebook have just got a face-lift and some changes on default privacy settings. It is worth going through your privacy setting again – perhaps you’re sharing more than you should.

3. Why do you join Facebook? Keep in touch with people? Is it just to share photographs? Share updates of your activities and links? Ask yourself do you need to share your phone numbers or address on the profile page. It might be better to limit on private data sharing.

4. Manage your password smartly: Try not to use a single password for all your online accounts. Consider whether your security questions are not too easy to guess.

5. Be aware of public computers: When signing in from a public computer, check that it does not store your username and password. It is easy to accidentally choose the “remember username/password” feature on its browser.

6. Don’t tell everything: Once comments and status updates are posted, anyone can read them. Do you really want everyone to know you’ll be away on vacation tomorrow or home alone tonight?

7. Identify phishing attacks: There have been many attempts to get users’ e-mails and passwords by sending them with bogus Facebook e-mails. Don’t trust any e-mails requiring you to reset your passwords by clicking any links on them. Change your passwords only on Facebook.

8. Take quick actions: If your buddies start receiving spam messages from you or strange wall posts appear on your page, your account can be compromised. Quickly change your password. If you are unable to log into your Facebook account, notify the site administrator by going to the Help link located at the bottom of the page.

9. Protect your mobile device: Newer cell phones have direct link to popular social networking web sites, including Facebook. Be careful about who has access to your mobile device and make sure you log out the sites regularly.

10. Observe suspicious activity: Keep an eye out for suspicious activities on your wall, inbox, and news feeds. Don’t click on any suspicious links. Look closely, if a link doesn’t look authentic, stay away from it.

Check this Article for Other Security Trends: Ten Major Security Trends in 2010/

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Original: Ten Most Important Safety Tips for Facebook Users

All websites reside on a web server, which makes them available to internet users for browsing.  However, thanks to the web hosting industry, people don’t have worry about the complexities of setting up and maintaining their own.  In fact, most website owners lease their web server space and associated resources from either an Internet Service Provider or web hosting provider at a very reasonable price.  These companies offer a wide range of services that facilitate the hosting, development, design and promotion of your online presence.

Indeed, getting a website is easier and more affordable than it has ever been before.  When considering all the features and services that can help to make your site successful, you should never forget about one of the most important aspects – security.  If your plans involve creating a site that collectives sensitive information from visitors or customers, you need to know that this information is at great risk unless it is secured during the transmission phase.  The internet provides anyone who has a method of connectivity with access to the World Wide Web, hackers and other cyber criminals included.  Aware of all the scams and security breaches, customers are increasingly searching for signs of security before they decide to share sensitive data with a website.  If you want to instill trust within your visitors to the point where they feel comfortable handing over their user names, passwords, contact details and credit card numbers and other confidential information, it is a must that you make sure your website transactions are secure.  The solution – SSL encryption.

Why Verisign?

An SSL certificate is a security mechanism that provides website visitors with the ability to confirm that a particular site belongs to the organization or individual they intend to communicate with.  Most importantly, it provides exceptional protection for the sensitive data they transmit over the internet.  While there are a number of Certificate Authorities to choose from, Verisign is a leading provider and among the most reliable.  Certificates produced by this internet security firm offer a strong level of encryption and its VeriSign Secured Seal has become the must trusted mark on the World Wide Web.

VeriSign Products

VeriSign offers a number of products to ensure the security of your website transactions.  Two of its most popular offerings include:

Secure Site Pro with EV – You can give your customers the confidence they need to make purchases with VeriSign Secure Site Pro with EV, VeriSign’s most popular SSL product.  EV (Extended Validation) displays a green address bar in the web browser indicating the legitimacy of the site while true 128-bit ensures that their personal information is completely secure.

Secure Site Pro SSL Certificates – With this VeriSign product, you can transmit sensitive data with protection from the strongest SSL encryption possible.  Secure Site Pro SSL Certificates offers the option of 128 and 256-bit encryption to provide your customers with the utmost security.

You can get yourself an SSL certificate directly from VeriSign or request one from your web hosting provider.  Either way, you will be rewarded with the most rigorous authentication and security methodology in the industry.

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Original: Genuine Strong SSL Encryption with VeriSign