Data breaches are a genuine concern among all companies that do business online. It seems as though news about another major breach comes out daily – and the last thing you want is for your own company to make one of those headlines. Unfortunately, there is no way to safeguard your information against potential hackers completely. However, there are a few proactive steps you can take to protect your site's data. Below, we’re breaking down four of the best ways to prevent data breaches. 1.     Opt for Data Encryption One of the best things you can do to protect sensitive data from ending up in the wrong hands is to encrypt it. When data is encrypted, it is essentially "translated" into unreadable text when an unauthorized user opens it. With this service, even if hackers gain access to data files, they won't have the "key" needed to decode the text.

When you're choosing a dedicated server on which to host and store your important data, the server specifications (RAM, processor, storage, etc.) are undoubtedly important. However, one detail you won't want to overlook when deciding on dedicated hosting is your server's data center location. This refers to the exact building where your server hardware will be stored and maintained. Data center location matters a lot more than you might realize. By having a better understanding of why the setting of your data center is important, you can make informed decisions regarding your hosting. The Importance of Data Center Location The physical location of your server's data center can affect your website's speed and latency. If your server is far away from its users, information and data will have to travel greater distances. For example, when someone visits a page on your website, their computer needs to communicate with your server to access your files, photos,

No matter what industry you're in, having your website optimized for search engines is a must. Optimization makes it easier for potential customers to stumble across your site organically, which can increase business and boost your reputation. Search engine optimization (SEO) is one of many services offered by marketing firms – but did you know that simply choosing the right hosting for your site could help with your SEO efforts? Let’s take a closer look at how a dedicated server can improve your site’s SEO. Site Speed and SEO Rankings These days, speed is a major factor that search engines like Google take into consideration when ranking websites. There are several free tools, such as WebPageTest.org, that allow you to test your site's speed. These resources can also help you pinpoint slow-downs or other speed issues that could be negatively impacting your SEO. Individual page load times are also taken into account by Google when

Launching your first website can be both exciting and intimidating. There are many decisions to make regarding your site, but one you definitely won't want to overlook is which web hosting option to choose. The right web host will not only fit your budget but will also be reliable and fast enough to keep your site running smoothly. There are three main hosting types to consider as you prepare to launch your site – shared, virtual private server (VPS), and dedicated hosting. By getting to know how these hosting types differ and the potential benefits and drawbacks of each, you can ultimately make the right choice. Shared Hosting For many websites that are just starting out, shared hosting is a popular choice due to its low cost. Shared hosting works just as the name implies; your site shares its server and resources with many other websites. The specific number of websites

If you have plans to launch a website in the near future, there are some specific services you may need. This remains true whether you're starting a site for your small business, personal blog, or anything in between. While some services may be easy to do on your own, others may require the help of a professional. Therefore, it’s a good idea to determine what you’re comfortable handling before creating your site. Let’s take a look at a few essential services for launching a website. 1. Domain Registration The very first step of website creation is to purchase and register a domain name – without one, you won't have a website. A domain registration service allows you to secure your website's URL, provided that the name isn't already taken. Registration is inexpensive (usually about $10 per year), and you can set up your URL to auto-renew so it doesn't lapse. In

Today's colleges and universities are taking more of their operations online than ever before – and this trend is not expected to slow down anytime soon. From online registration to school-sponsored email platforms and even online classes, there is a lot of higher education data floating around on school web servers. Unfortunately, with all of this data comes some inherent security risks that higher education institutions need to be aware of. By having a better understanding of the unique hosting challenges today's colleges and universities face - as well as the best hosting solutions available - it’s possible to avoid serious data breaches and remain in compliance with laws regarding sensitive information. Unique Hosting Challenges for Colleges and Universities Institutions of higher education handle all kinds of sensitive data on a regular basis. When students register for classes, for example, they may need to provide credit card or other payment information

With so many hosting options available these days, it can be difficult to know which is best for you. Ultimately, if you're looking for a solution that offers the most customization and flexibility, a dedicated server is a great choice. There are dozens of things you can do with dedicated server hosting, but let's take a look at a handful of the most popular uses. 1. Host a Website Website hosting is perhaps the most common use for dedicated servers. You can host one or even multiple websites on a dedicated server, and you'll enjoy optimized speeds and security while doing so. That's because, with dedicated server hosting, you'll never need to share resources (such as bandwidth, storage, or central processing unit (CPU) processing speeds) with other users. As a result, your website visitors get to enjoy a smooth and fast browsing experience. 2. Optimize Your Gaming Many gamers enjoy using dedicated

Today's businesses have several options available when it comes to hosting, whether it be for hosting a website, email, or anything in between. Free hosting solutions generally aren't the best choice for a growing business, as their resources are limited. Shared hosting and cloud hosting services have become increasingly popular, though dedicated servers continue to offer the greatest flexibility and customization. In order to make better-informed decisions regarding which option is best for you, it’s important to understand how cloud hosting and dedicated hosting services differ. Similarly, you must know the potential advantages and drawbacks of each. What’s the Difference Between Cloud Hosting and Dedicated Hosting? It's no secret that cloud server hosting is becoming increasingly popular among growing businesses. Specifically, a dedicated cloud server runs as a virtualized hosting platform; basic server hardware offers a base level of support, whereas a public cloud kept inside a data center can host

Banks and financial institutions face unique and pressing challenges in today's increasingly web-based world. It seems as though major financial institutions are falling victim to web attacks and data breaches on a regular basis – emphasizing the need for more secure web hosting options. Couple this with the strict federal regulations that are already in place when it comes to storing client data and it's easy to see that choosing a dedicated web server hosting plan is so important for banking companies. If your bank or financial institution isn't already using a dedicated server, now is the time to make the switch – here’s why: 1. Increased Security Perhaps the best reason to choose dedicated server web hosting is the unrivaled data security it delivers. A dedicated server provides your banking institution with security standards that no other hosting option can. Dedicated servers are hosted inside secure data centers, many of which are staffed

Unfortunately, we live in a world where we hear about data breaches in the news almost daily. In recent years, the frequency and scope of high-profile cyber-attacks have grown to include some of the largest and most seemingly secure businesses and organizations. Let's explore a few of the most famous data breaches of the 21st century, along with the important lessons they've taught us about security. From there, we can gain a better understanding of how to keep sensitive information safe in today's online environment. 1. Equifax One of the biggest data breaches in recent history occurred in July of 2017 when Equifax—one of the largest credit reporting bureaus in the country—was hacked. Some of the sensitive information that was leaked included: Social Security Numbers Home Addresses Birth Dates Drivers' License Numbers Credit Card Data This particular attack was eventually traced back to a vulnerability in one of Equifax's web pages. Unfortunately,