Internet Security & Privacy Webmaster 101 Tips

The focus of our website is on Internet security and privacy for end users. We just finished a page for beginning webmasters including security and privacy tips. I hope you find this helpful. Thanks

Your Computer -- To prevent your website files from becoming infected, you must protect your computer or small network. You should use a hardware firewall between your modem and computer or network, use personal firewall, anti-virus, anti-Trojan, anti-spyware, anti-spam and privacy software, and keep all of them updated at all times. See our site for suggestions.

Your Website Host -- Select a host that uses secure servers, backs up your site files, and offers spam and virus email filters. See the secure website hosts page on our site for options.

Your Email -- Use one and only one "public" address for website feedback, domain registration, newsletter... Use your host's spam and virus email filters. Use an email service provider to "pick up" your mail that uses different spam and virus filters than your host. Use different (than the first two) anti-virus and anti-spam software on your desktop computer and use your desktop email software to "pick up" your email from your email service provider. This arrangement gives you three levels of protection. If you think that this is overkill, we got several thousand infected emails in August 2003. Not one made it to our desktop. Getting only one could ruin your day. See the secure email service providers page on our site for options.

Your Passwords -- Use strong passwords for software on your computer and all of your online accounts. Use a different strong password for each one. Get password management software, like "RoboForm", to make this easy and secure. At minimum, a password should include lower and upper case, numbers and symbols like "XYZabc789#$%".

Backing Up Your Files -- Select a host that backs up your site files. Select website software or an online site building tool that allows you to back up your files on your desktop computer. Back up your files on removable media (zip disk, CD or DVD) and store in a fireproof safe. Back up often for protection from infections, computer meltdown and other catastrophes.

Your Visitors -- Write and post privacy policies on your site before tracking stats (using an online service instead of your server logs) or selling ads, products or services as an affiliate. Check spyware websites for information about companies that you are considering for tracking stats, publishing ads or posting sales links for. Many ad and affiliate programs rely on cookies and/or web bugs to track impressions and/or sales (not necessarily a bad thing but your visitors need to know). For newsletters, only mail to opt-in users and tell them whether their address is completely private or if you intend to share or sell it to others when they sign up.