Identity theft and identity fraud have been significant concerns among consumers for many years, especially as the internet has made it easier than ever for criminals to purchase unsuspecting victims' financial credentials on the "black market." If you weren't already worried enough about protecting your identity, there's a new form of identity fraud online – and it's becoming an increasingly serious threat. Known as synthetic identity fraud, this threat can have devastating consequences for its victims. Below, we’re taking a closer look at synthetic identity fraud and how to protect yourself. What Is Synthetic Identity Fraud? Synthetic identity fraud occurs when a combination of real and fake personal information is used to open financial accounts. For example, someone committing synthetic identity fraud may use a victim's real Social Security Number (SSN) to open an account along with made-up credentials, such as fake names and contact information. Compared to "traditional" identity

If you've done your research on data storage, then there's a good chance you've heard of an option known as Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID). This refers to a setup where the same data is stored on multiple hard drives across different locations for added security and peace of mind. There are several different types of RAID data storage, each with its own inherent advantages and disadvantages for security, practicality, and more. Two of the most common RAID storage solutions include disk striping and disk mirroring. By understanding how these techniques work, as well as some of the pros and cons of each option, you can decide on a RAID solution that suits your needs. What Is RAID Disk Striping? RAID disk striping, also commonly referred to as "RAID 0," is a technique where data is divided evenly across two (or more) storage devices to enhance overall performance and

Your website’s safety is paramount, especially when it comes to keeping sensitive data safe and avoiding breaches. One of the simplest and most effective ways to optimize security on your site is to utilize Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificates. Of course, SSL certificates cost money to implement – which is why some website owners and administrators explore alternatives like self-signed certificates instead. Still, it's essential to understand that self-signed certificates are not always the best option to keep your site safe. By having a better idea of what self-signed certificates are and when it may or may not be appropriate to use one, you can make the right security decisions for your website. What Is a Self-Signed Certificate? When you purchase a "traditional" SSL certificate, you know that it is has been signed off by a reputable certificate authority (CA). By contrast, a self-signed certificate is not signed off by

Data breaches are a genuine threat across all industries; however, few industries handle more sensitive data than the healthcare field. If you run a medical business, you need to keep your patient information safe. And of course, there are strict laws and regulations (such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA) that legally bind you to take specific security measures in the name of data privacy. One of the best things you can do to safeguard your patients' sensitive data is to use a dedicated server for your website, email, and other hosting needs. But what should you be looking for a dedicated hosting plan for your healthcare business? There are a handful of things to focus on, which we’ll discuss below: 1. High Uptime Scores There's no overstating the importance of reliability when it comes to your healthcare hosting. Ideally, you should select a hosting company

Take a moment to reflect on the worst experience you ever had on a website. Perhaps you had a hard time finding the information you needed, or maybe you kept running into broken links. Regardless of the reasoning behind your poor user experience, one fact remains: You probably left that site and never returned. What if your users have the same frustrating experiences on your own website? If you're not taking the time to evaluate your site's overall user experience and implementing changes to improve it, you could be driving customers away. What Is User Experience and Why Does It Matter? User experience (UX) refers to the way people experience your site when they visit. Many factors make up a great user experience, such as having pages that load quickly. Being able to find important links and other information easily is another vital aspect of a site's overall UX. But

Across the globe, many people have taken up online gaming as a new hobby – especially during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Online games like Minecraft and other massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) allow you to escape from everyday life’s realities in a socially-distanced environment. Unfortunately, there are still some threats that lurk on the web and target gamers directly. By being aware of some of the most common security issues for online gamers and how to protect yourself, you can reduce your risk of falling victim and continue to enjoy your favorite online games. Security Flaws in Gaming Platforms Steam is a popular third-party gaming platform that allows users to enjoy access to thousands of online games in one convenient place. Unfortunately, not all gaming platforms (Steam included) are 100% secure, and security vulnerabilities can affect users. For example, in December of 2020, critical bugs within the Steam gaming

Interested in reselling dedicated server hosting? ReliableSite has some great options. Reselling hosting is an excellent way to bring in additional income with an existing tech business or even start your own service from the ground up. Of course, it's important to understand that not all dedicated server reseller platforms are created equal. As you explore your options for reseller hosting providers, taking the time to ask the right questions can help you narrow things down and ultimately make a confident decision. Before choosing a provider, consider asking the following questions: 1. What Are Your Uptime Rates? One thing you won't want to overlook when it comes to choosing a reseller hosting provider is the hosting company's uptime. When you're selling hosting, you want to provide your clients with reliable service. Even a few minutes of unexpected downtime can create significant headaches for your clients, after all. This is where

With more schools relying on virtual learning platforms than ever before, cybercriminals are looking to take advantage. Unfortunately, recent findings by the Federal Bureau of Intelligence (FBI) and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have revealed that cyber-attacks within the K-12 education sector are increasing at an alarming rate. Specifically, one study found that between August and September of 2020, 57 percent of reported ransomware attacks were carried out against K-12 schools. This number is more than double the percentage of ransomware attacks seen from January through July of the 2020 academic year. It's not just ransomware attacks that are on the rise; cybercriminals are also carrying out distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, phishing schemes, and other hacks at record rates. In some cases, attackers have even threatened to share sensitive student data as part of their ransomware schemes – creating more tension and uncertainty in these educational institutions.

When you have an eCommerce site, your customers rely heavily on its security each time they purchase. Unfortunately, with the countless threats lurking around the web, it’s more difficult than ever to keep your customers' payment data safe. If you're not already following these eCommerce best practices for handling your customer payment information, it's about time you start. Specifically, these precautions can keep your clients' payment information safer and give them more peace of mind each time they check out. Don't Store Payment Data After Transactions As convenient as it may seem to give your clients the option of saving their credit card data for future use, the reality is that storing this information can lead to security issues. To enhance safety, make sure that your eCommerce platform does not hold onto payment data after each transaction. At the very least, card verification value 2 (CVV2) codes and other card

It's no secret that cloud-based services have become increasingly popular in recent years. Many growing businesses and organizations rely on the cloud for its affordability and scalability. However, some inherent drawbacks come with using cloud-based services – especially from a security standpoint. This issue is becoming increasingly relevant, as recent findings suggest that hackers are now targeting the cloud to carry out larger and more malicious attacks. By having a better understanding of how these attacks work and the other vulnerabilities you may be exposed to with a cloud-based web host, you can make a more informed decision regarding your hosting needs. Let’s take a closer look. How Do Cloud-Based Attacks Work? Cloud-based services are already at a disadvantage when it comes to security; by their very nature, they're more prone to attacks and are typically easier for hackers to gain access to. However, hackers are now taking advantage of