Risk vs Benefit

The security of data on the world wide web, certainly poses one of the greatest threats to the way we have become accustomed to conducting our daily lives. Due to the sensitivity of breaches in security, we are not fully aware of the extent to which this maybe happening today.

As sensitive data is always at risk, webWORLD uses a risk vs benefit analysis before recommending technology methodologies to our clients, meaning does the benefit of providing the information online, outweigh the risks associated with a security breach.

With the rapid deployment of industry software and frequent upgrades for software glitches, it is hard to feel comfortable that you will ever have enough security online. We are still discovering new and exciting ways to use technology, without fully understanding the risks we take as business owners and individuals, should our security be compromised by the software we have come to rely on, or should our digital footprints end up in the wrong hands.

The "information superhighway" grows daily, yet little information has been published of the effect technology has had on this generation let alone the accumulated effect that will be felt by the next generation. We assume that the "steep learning curve" that is, Science and Technology is risk free, paved with good intentions and guided by moral integrity.

As long as we are a part of this global online community, the information we provide will never be fully secure. The best we can do is to be vigilant in protecting the digital footprints we create, as we all leave a trail.

SSL Encryption

Secure login member areas of our client's web sites, as well as site administrators all use SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption, when accessing or editing pages. You can tell when you are in SSL Encrypted mode by the "lock" icon on the right side of the URL window.

Password Strength

Although we do our best to create a safe environment for site maintenance, it is often said, you are only as secure as your password and your password may be the weakest link in the network. Follow these guidelines when choosing a password.

1. Should contain upper and lower case letters and numbers
2. It shouldn't be easily identifiable with you - no pets or family names.
3. It should contain special characters
4. It should be at least 8 characters long or longer
5. You should change it frequently

An easy way to create cryptic passwords (that are easy to remember), is to take the first letter of each word in a long sentence, lyric, proverb or mantra... substitute some numbers for letters and add a special character. Include a Proper word with a "Capital" and you should end up with a fairly cryptic looking password! If you make a habit of using the same number for a particular vowel, say the number 3 for an "e", and end each sentence with a special character, it becomes easy to remember a password like:

WW1ktpspacs!

webWORLD is known to provide superior products and customer service!

I have provided a link to the 10 Immutable Laws of Security by Microsoft, for more information on computer security. You will find several excellent articles worth a read.