Imagine a world where nuclear war caused significant deficits in communications. The thought of this possibility is what some say led to the development of what was known as The Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET). This system allowed packets of information to be delivered through a series of connected computers ensuring that communications could continue in the event of a worse-case scenario.
From all accounts this system was birthed in the minds of scientists back in the early 1960's and implemented several years later. When the cold war ended educational institutions used the system for research purposes in connection with other educational institutions around the world.
The ramifications of this global network eventually eclipsed any potential or mythological use during the cold war.
While this system did not serve in the capacity of post-apocalyptic communications it did serve to advance other noted communications including GPS advancement made available at no cost through the US Government. The governments of countries around the world now have sites dedicated to information and assistance for their citizens.
Today the Internet can facilitate a wide variety of communications including telephone service and audio and video transmission through podcasting and video streaming.
While security of governmental boundaries may or may not have been the motivation for what we now refer to as the Internet it is security that users must insist on to allow the computer to function properly.
Computer viruses are routinely released on the web that seek to extract data while corrupting files. Security measures are often breached while information is exported to individuals with less than pure intentions.
The use of anti-virus software is an important security measure to ensure the use of this global network through the portal of a home or business computer.
Because the Internet is based on shared data, resources and servers there is always the potential of virus attacks and other forms of online abuse. The overriding need of anti-virus protection simply works to stop viruses before they are spread from one user to the next.
Viruses can be imported through email and by visiting certain websites. Anti-virus software can alert you when an attack is inbound and can prevent that attack from actually affecting your computer.
As the use of the Internet becomes more widespread the use of anti-virus software is vital. Regular updates and computer scans are an essential part to computer safety.
The amount of easy to target websites is growing at an alarming rate due to the fact that so many people are setting up their own businesses based from home. The blame for this mainly lies within the Internet Marketing population itself. Why is this so? Several of the so-called Internet Marketing Gurus, using the powerful methods of persuasion at their fingertips, entice people into starting their own businesses on line by providing them with ready-made, plug and play websites containing basic errors in security. The consequences of most of these sites made by marketers, not programmers, can be disastrous.
One of the most frequent vulnerabilities - and paradoxically the most easy to be fixed - is to make sure that each directory on your website has an index file. Web browsers by default, when directed to a directory, firstly look for a file named index. This could be followed by various extensions such as .htm, .shtml .php or .html, which are a few of the ones most commonly used.
If the index file is not found by the browser, the whole directory will be shown by way of a click-able navigation list, uncovering its entire contents for everyone to see, thus leaving your often restricted and precious content wide open to all sorts of malicious abuse.
In order to stop this happening, a minimum of at least one, or better still, a combination of all four of the following basic measures of security should be firmly in place.
Security measure 1: Every directory should contain an index file by renaming the default page you wish to be shown to index. Ensure that all the internal links are updated to that page also.
Security measure 2: Create an empty index file. When arriving at the directory, a blank page will be displayed, but you will no longer be showing a directory listing. Provide a message and a click-able link here to draw your visitors to the correct page.
Security measure 3: Create an index file containing a redirection to the page you wish to be shown. There are many easily implemented and free code snippets at your disposal allowing you to do this and your viewers will probably not even notice there is a redirection taking place.
Security measure 4: Do not keep any of your download-able content which people pay for in the same directory as the sales page. Keep it in a secure directory separately and set up your payment processor to that particular directory. This ensures that only people who have subscribed for the content can gain access to it. You are more likely have people trying to get a hold of your restricted content without having to pay for it when you are selling products on line as an Internet Marketer but adhering to these 4 basic measures of security will assist you to dramatically lower the risk of unlawful access to your website and make life much less of a worry in the long run.
Both Scott Lindsay & Kevin Sinclair are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Scott Lindsay has sinced written about articles on various topics from Payday Loans, Computers and The Internet and Mens Health. Scott Lindsay is a web developer and entrepreneur. He is the founder of HighPowerSites and many other web projects. Get your own website online in just 5 minutes with HighPowerSites at:. Scott Lindsay's top article generates over 1830000 views. to your Favourites.
Kevin Sinclair has sinced written about articles on various topics from self improvement and motivation, Personal Development Plan and Ezines And Newsletters. Kevin Sinclair is the publisher and editor of , a site that provides information and articles on how to succeed in your own home or small business.. Kevin Sinclair's top article generates over 450000 views. to your Favourites.