August 31, 2016

Why Should I Have a Website Maintenance Program?

The idea of a website as a static never changing marketing tool has evolved.

Your website in contemporary terms is better looked upon as an ever changing always growing marketing device. There are several reasons for this shift in attitude:

1. People who come to your site more than once or even on a recurring basis will be attracted to stay on the site longer and view your company as more vital if there is frequently added new content. New content development is key.

2. Google’s SEO change of evaluating your website and its content has placed far more significance on the website verbiage and images and therefore adding relevant and original new content is more important than ever.

3. Your website platform and programs used in the coding are being updated every day. To prevent eventual website breakdowns, website security breaches and malfunctions, vulnerability to malware and to be viewable on all browsers and devices it is critical to stay on top of the software and plug-in updates.

4. Lastly, on-site organic search engine engine is most effective when executed as an ongoing effort. Slow and steady is much more effective than sporadic efforts to increase your Page Rank Authority and Website Authority.

August 25, 2016

What is a CAPTCHA?

Filed under: Blog Articles,Website Security — Tags: — Jeff Weissberg @ 8:43 am

CAPTCHA defined is a Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart.

It is a type of question requiring a human response which is used frequently on website forms to ensure that the response is not generated by a computer. The process involves the computer asking a user to complete a simple test which the computer is able to generate and grade. Because other computers are unable to solve the CAPTCHA, any user entering a correct solution is presumed to be human. The question is usually to identify a weather a subject is present in a photo or to type in letteres/numbers from a graphic image as these.

CAPTCHA Eammple One

CAPTCHA – Human answer “CVMV”

Another CAPTCHA example

CAPTCHA – Human answer “FZDS”

CAPTCHA’s are used to prevent automated ‘robots’ from leaving malware, viruses or spam on your website and will greatly reduce your incoming spam emails if you have a contact or other form on your site.

Additional information on website security here.

August 23, 2016

SSL Certificate FAQ’s

Filed under: Blog Articles,Internet Security,SSL Certificate — Tags: , — Jeff Weissberg @ 3:04 pm

ssl Certificate Website Icon

What is an SSL Certificate?
SSL is an acronym for Secure Socket Layer, which is an awfully technical term for most Internet users.  The ‘certificate’ is not a diploma or piece of paper. It is digital code which gets installed on your website server by your programmer, web developer or Webmaster. The code provides a layer of security for private transactions through your website. These transactions can be financial or the transfer of data requiring a secure connection, such as confidential tax prep information. In essence the SSL allows for a private conversation between the website user and the website owner.

Do I need an SSL Certificate?
Yes, if you are transferring confidential information, such as e-commerce payment processing or if your website allows for the transfer private, personal, confidential information.

How do I acquire an SSL Certificate?
An SSL can be easily purchased through most hosting companies. There is an annual fee, which can range from approximately $35 – $100. There may also be a one-time installation fee of $25 or more, but this is waived by some hosting companies if they are also hosting your website.

How do I install my SSL Certificate?
The hosting company can do this, or you can have them send you the ‘certificate code’ and have your programmer, web developer or webmaster insert this code into the website code.

How do I know that a site has an SSL installed?
Most websites promote that their site is secure by posting an icon such as that at the top of this article.
You can also check the website address (URL).  If it begins with https the site has a security certificate installed. If the domain name begins with http (without the ‘s’) the page you are on is lacking a security certificate. When transferring confidential information on the Internet (such as making a purchase) always check the website address in the address bar for the https.

More on Internet Security.

 

May 16, 2016

PayPal’s New Security Requirement for Website E-Commerce

PayPal is one of the most popular payment gateways on the Internet and to meet the need for greater e-commerce security they now require that merchants install an SSL Certificate on their websites. Once the code is installed your domain name will change from “http//www…….” to “https//www…….” Most hosting companies will sell you the SSL. Some hosting companies will also do the code installation at a small fee and sometimes for free. To avoid any loss of service you must verify with PayPal by 6-30-16 that your site is ready with the necessary SSL Certificate installed and configured. (more…)

Top of Page

© | www.socalwebworx.com | SoCal Custom Website Design | Website Marketing | SEO