Today, more employees find themselves working remotely than ever before. In fact, up to 42 percent of the United States’ labor force is now working from home full-time. With more employees involved in remote work, many companies are also implementing "bring your own device" (BYOD) policies, allowing workers to use their own personal devices (computers, laptops, tablets, etc.) in lieu of company-issued ones. While instituting these BYOD policies can save organizations money up-front and help employees feel more comfortable while working from home, the reality is that they also pose some major security threats. By understanding the key dangers of BYOD, organization leaders can make informed decisions regarding whether these procedures are truly in their best interests. Lost or Stolen Devices If an employee loses his or her personal smartphone, this can become an instant security risk – especially if they were using it to check work emails, log into company server

Website uptime is something that's easy to take for granted – until, of course, you run into unexpected downtime. One of the most common causes of this issue is a sudden increase in traffic. As more people visit your site, your server's resources become depleted, which can result in slow page-loading times and dreaded downtime. Of course, when your site is inaccessible (even for just a few hours), it can affect your brand’s reputation and deter visitors from returning down the road. Fortunately, you can avoid unexpected site downtime by preparing for sudden traffic spikes. Below, we’re breaking down a few best practices to keep in mind. Let’s take a look! DO: Make Sure Your Hosting is Scalable When your site sees an increase in traffic and resources are stretched thin, the last thing you want is to be "stuck" with your current hosting plan. Being able to easily and

No matter what type of business you run, the last thing you need is to face a web attack or data breach. These events can cost your company big time, both in terms of lost business and a tarnished reputation. However, attacks on eCommerce sites can be especially troubling, as they often prevent you from making sales and can harm your bottom line. Unfortunately, eCommerce websites are prone to web attacks due to the sensitive information their servers tend to store. This includes customer credit card data and other payment information. There are three types of attacks that are especially common on eCommerce sites: phishing attacks, DDoS attacks, and malware attacks. By understanding each type and how to prevent them, you can keep your customers' sensitive data safe and protect your company's reputation. 1. Phishing Attacks A phishing attack occurs when a hacker creates an email address that appears to

Web attacks can be devastating for businesses of all sizes – and with today's attackers using more sophisticated technology than ever, it's important for site owners and administrators to be on high alert. Of course, there are some simple best practices you can follow to defend your site against cyber-attacks. Beyond that, however, more advanced strategies like deception technology can give you even more protection and peace of mind. Let’s take a closer look at deception technology and how it’s used to thwart cybercrime. What Is Deception Technology? Deception technology refers to a cybersecurity strategy that involves creating a decoy server that is separate from your site's actual infrastructure. From there, attackers are permitted to gain access to the decoy environment while site owners track their activity. Site owners and admins can then use this information to strengthen security on their legitimate networks to prevent further attacks. Meanwhile, hackers don’t realize they've actually gained access

In January of 2020, cybersecurity researchers discovered a new type of ransomware known as "Thanos." This Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) tool has been documented as the first to use RIPlace, a Windows file system technique, to carry out attacks. With so many types of attacks on the web these days, it can be difficult to keep up with the latest threats. However, Thanos ransomware is something that should be on everyone’s radar, whether you run your own website or are a daily web user. By having a better understanding of what this ransomware is and how to avoid it, you can keep your information and devices safe. What Is Thanos Ransomware? Compared to other forms of ransomware, Thanos is a bit unique in the sense that it’s positioned as a Ransomware-as-a-Service tool. This essentially means that hackers who want to utilize it for financial gain can actually purchase a subscription that includes everything they

Your website relies on its hosting provider to make sure it remains accessible to users at all times. What many people don't realize, however, is that it's quite common to "outgrow" a hosting plan as your website expands. The web hosting plan that worked so well when you first launched your site might not cut it a few years down the road. By knowing how to identify the signs that you've outgrown your web host, you can make the changes you need to best serve your website and its visitors. What Are Your Page-Load Speeds? Page-loading speeds matter for a number of reasons. For starters, visitors become quickly and easily frustrated by slow-loading pages on a website. Therefore, if your site's speeds are too slow, you could be driving potential customers away. Site speeds also affect your search engine optimization (SEO) results, as Google ranks faster websites higher on their

Are you taking all of the measures necessary to keep your website safe? What about your customers' data? There are plenty of best practices you should be following to safeguard your information. However, if your site doesn't already have a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate in place, you could be putting sensitive data at risk. The good news is that SSL certificates are relatively easy to generate and add to your website. But with several different types of certifications available, you'll want to take some time to familiarize yourself with your options and choose one that's best for you. Why You Should Add an SSL Certificate to Your Website Obtaining an SSL certificate for your website increases your security, especially when it comes to processing credit card payments and collecting other personal or sensitive information from users. Demonstrating to your visitors that you have an SSL certificate shows them that you care about

Many businesses are turning to video conferencing applications like Zoom and Skype to communicate while Coronavirus restrictions prevent face-to-face meetings from happening. And while these tools have been a lifesaver for some organizations, no video conferencing software is without its potential security risks. However, the good news for businesses of all sizes is that there are many steps you can take to optimize video conferencing security, protect sensitive information, and keep employees safe. Let’s take a look! Understanding Video Conferencing Security Risks Unfortunately, there are a number of risks that accompany the use of video conferencing platforms like Skype and Zoom. For example, there has been an increase in malware files being found on these apps. This means that when employees use the video platform, they could be downloading malicious files in the process. And if these same team members are using work computers that are connected to your company's servers, it's easy

Due to COVID-19, many companies have had no choice but to shift their operations to a work-from-home format. While this has been a smooth transition for some, many businesses have struggled with security and logistical issues as a result of the change. If your organization is dealing with common work-from-home challenges, all hope is not lost. Dedicated server hosting offers solutions to a variety of problems. Plus, investing in a dedicated server now will set you up for success down the road as life begins to return to normal. Security Challenges of Working Remotely There are a number of inherent security concerns that arise when you transition employees to work-from-home roles. These issues begin with the internet connection that your workers use to access company data. Unfortunately, relying on your employees' home internet connections poses several significant security risks. Even if their networks are secured with a password, they still

The internet is an unpredictable place. Even when traffic on your website seems relatively steady from one day or week to the next, it doesn't take much for a sudden influx of visitors to cause issues with your server. Of course, the last thing you need is for your site to crash when demand is at its peak. A variety of factors can lead to web traffic spikes, from seasonality (i.e., an increase in online shopping during the holidays) to DDoS attacks. Below, we’re discussing a lesser-known issue that could lead to a higher volume of visitors, so you can ensure your website is prepared. Let’s take a look! What Is the Slashdot Effect? The Slashdot effect (also known as the Reddit effect or the Reddit "hug of death") occurs when a site crashes due to a sudden and unexpected spike in traffic. This increase happens when a link to