WordPress is a popular application that makes it easy to build, update, and maintain your own website – and for the most part, it’s pretty secure and reliable. However, as with any site-building platform, there is no way to guarantee that your WordPress website will never fall victim to an attack or a data breach. Whether you run a professional business site or a personal blog, chances are you’ve invested a lot of time and money into your web content. From writing articles to formatting pages and getting your layout just right, you’ve worked hard to ensure that your website is perfect. Therefore, it would be devastating if your website’s data was compromised and wiped out by a hacker. Luckily, there is a simple solution: WordPress backups. By taking the time to back up your WordPress site, you could save yourself a lot of headaches down the road. Not sure where

Looking to develop a mobile app? If so, you'll need some kind of server to host the app's data. This is especially true if the app you're developing will require any kind of network access to retrieve or collect information. If this is your first time developing an app, you may not know that you’ll need reliable web hosting. It's important to consider the many ways in which your app may require access to a network connection in order to function. Unless you're developing a very simple gaming app or something similar, you're going to need a host. It's as simple as that. Feeling overwhelmed by the idea of choosing a web host? It doesn't have to be complicated. By having a better understanding of the hosting options out there and how they may (or may not) work with your application, you can make an informed decision. Understanding Your Options

If you thought dedicated servers were only for large organizations, think again. These days, more and more small business owners have begun moving from shared and cloud-based hosting services to dedicated server hosting. Is it time for your small business to make the switch? Ultimately, you'll be the best judge of that, but there are some key reasons that other small business owners have decided to use dedicated hosting. If any of these apply to you, then it's probably wise to consider a small business dedicated server. You're Handling Sensitive Data If your hosting needs involve the exchange or storage of sensitive data, then you need to make sure that information is being protected properly. Sensitive data could include anything from your customers' payment information to Social Security numbers, medical records, and more. And of course, if your business is in the medical field, you may actually be required by HIPAA law to

Whether you run a small business, a large organization, or something in between, one fact remains: having a scalable hosting solution for your company's website is an absolute must. The last thing you need as a business owner is to run into a situation where your website's server cannot handle a sudden spike in traffic or other rapid growth. A hosting solution that is not set up to be easily scaled can hurt your business in these situations, resulting in possible downtime, slow page-loading speeds, and other issues. The good news is that a scalable dedicated server can help you avoid these potential issues, providing you with the customizable services you need no matter where your organization's growth stands. Solutions for Your Growing Business Dedicated server hosting, by its very nature, is a scalable solution for growing businesses, as these types of servers allow for unrivaled customization when compared to other hosting

In the world of dedicated server hosting, most providers give you two storage options to choose from when you set up your account: hard disk drive (HDD) or solid state drive (SSD). There are many differences between the two, ranging from size to durability and capacity. For instance, most HDDs take up around 3.5 inches of space and use moving parts (including a spinning disk) to retrieve files. Meanwhile, an SSD usually measures about 2.5 inches and does not utilize any moving parts. Below, we’re discussing why many users are switching to solid state drives, as well as some helpful tips for a seamless migration. Reasons to Switch to SSD Storage While HDDs may have paved the way for the storage capacity of personal computers and servers, many people are beginning to make the switch to solid state drive storage – and for good reason. Because SSDs have no moving parts, they're able to

There is no shortage of security threats that business owners and website administrators need to worry about these days. From DDoS attacks to phishing schemes and everything in between, the next big danger is always lurking just around the corner. As a business or website owner, you're likely already taking some basic dedicated server security measures to protect your information from some of the most common cyber-attacks. But what have you done to protect yourself against a man-in-the-middle attack? If you're not familiar with this digital threat, now is the time to educate yourself. Below, we’re discussing everything you need to know about man-in-the-middle attacks and how you can protect your sensitive data. What Is a Man-in-the-Middle Attack? Specifically, man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks happen when a hacker “sits” between the connection of two parties (both of which are unaware that their communication has been intercepted). This allows the attacker to “listen in” on

It's no secret by now that distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks can wreak havoc on a business or website, using an influx of fake web traffic to take down a server. What a lot of people don't realize, though, is that not all DDoS attacks are carried out in the same way. Specifically, there are three main types of DDoS attacks: volumetric, protocol, and application layer. Recently, there has been an increase in the recorded sizes and instances of application layer attacks. In fact, one study estimated that more than half of reported DDoS attacks in 2017 consisted of this type. By having a better understanding of what an application layer attack is and how it works, you can take the proper measures to protect your site. What Are Application Layer DDoS Attacks? Specifically, an application layer attack refers to a type of DDoS attack that targets domain name servers (DNS),

Does your website have an SSL certificate? If not, then now may be the time to get one. A Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate is like a virtual padlock that helps to protect your visitors’ data. This can give users added peace of mind when they enter usernames, passwords, and even payment information on your site. In fact, security-conscious individuals often look for this certificate when determining a website’s legitimacy and safety. There are many benefits to having an SSL certificate displayed on your website, including an improved reputation and added security. However, many website owners don't realize that this certificate can also boost your search engine optimization (SEO), thus improving your search engine rankings and potentially making your site easier to find. Improving SEO With an SSL Certificate How can having an SSL certificate boost your SEO? For starters, the algorithms that Google uses to rank websites on search engine results

No matter what industry you find yourself in, the fact remains that keeping your data secure and your website up-and-running is important. In the medical industry, however, this is especially vital. Unfortunately, there has been a recent rise in the number of distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks carried out against healthcare providers, especially on patient portals that users rely on to receive medical information, schedule appointments, and more. By having a better understanding of the unique challenges that healthcare organizations face on the web, you can take steps to protect your own business. Unique Security Challenges for the Healthcare Industry Health records are protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which was passed and implemented nationwide in 1996. This law requires healthcare organizations to take certain measures to protect their patients' health records and other sensitive data – imposing serious penalties and fines for organizations that fail to

When you operate a business in the medical field or any other industry that handles sensitive health information, it's no secret that you're required to maintain compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This law sets forth several regulations that businesses and organizations are required to follow to keep personal data (including medical records) secure. Having a HIPAA-compliant server is a must if you'll be collecting or transmitting sensitive health data over the web. Shared or cloud-based servers may appear to be an effective option due to their convenience and low cost, but they often lack necessary security features and capabilities. Dedicated servers, on the other hand, offer a variety of security options. Plus, because they are not shared with other users, you’ll have greater peace of mind knowing that your clients’ or patients’ data won’t fall into the wrong hands. Of course, not all dedicated hosting