We take our job very seriously when it comes to web design and programming.

There is massive potential for error. One of the biggest areas for error is overwriting a file and losing the original copy.

This is so easy to do - you just hit Ctrl+S and bingo, the old file is gone forever.

Before we used the Maxweb Version Control System, we had many occasions when we would make some modifications to a page and then save it over the top of the old page. Then later, the client would want the old page back. In this situation, we would have to undo the modifications bit by bit and re-create the old page. A waste of time all round.

Now the Maxweb Version Control System manages all copies of every page we work on. This means that every change made to the page is tracked and stored in a database system so that the page can be ‘rolled back’ to any previous state in seconds.

Every web page is loaded in to the system and regular updates are done to ensure that the system has the very latest page in it. It’s a great back up and has saved us hours of work and our clients hundreds of pounds in cost.

D.

It seems that dodgy emails are doing the rounds again. I’ve had several emails claiming to be from Natwest.

They are cleverly worded and give every indication that they are from Natwest - but of course they are not.

The links usually have ‘natwest’ in them, but do not go to the real Natwest website.

Here are some quick tips for dealing with phishing emails:

1) Never, ever reply or follow the instructions given in the email.

2) Legitimate emails and websites will never ask for security details to be entered in full.

3) If in doubt:

- Contact your bank using the normal telephone number (not the one in the email!).
- Ask them to verify the email and confirm that it is legitimate.

4) Once you know the email is false, add the sender to your blocked email address list.

5) Make sure that you know what the website address of your bank should be.

Hope this helps.
D.

Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve had several conversations with clients about their reliance on email.

One client sent a very critical business proposal to a prospect and, to their dismay, found out a week later that the prospect had not received it.

This did not surprise me - but did surprise them.

When an email is transmitted, it travels from server to server across the internet to the destination email address.

Any one of these servers could corrupt or stop the email for any, or no, reason.

Sophisticated spam filtering, incorrectly set up servers or just plain malice could be to blame.

I would always advocate that an important email is always followed up with a telephone call to confirm receipt. Never leave it to fate.

D.

We have had several instances of confidential information being compromised when sent using normal email.

To prevent this, we have implemented PGP encryption. This operates as a private/public system and is very secure.

You can find out more by visiting our website:

Our Website

And clicking the ‘Secure PGP Key’ in the left hand menu.

Safe,
D.

It struck me how easy it is to become complacent about data security.

Everyone has multiple passwords, PIN numbers and ’secret’ words they have to remember which, I’m afraid to say, are mostly stored on paper or in a non-secure document (normally Word or a plain text file).

Barmy really. Even with a low level password, a criminal could gain access to some very serious data and potentially cause havoc.

So what is data security and how do you use it to protect your data?

Data security is the process of locking/ encrypting /hiding/ disguising important information to prevent it being accessed and read.

This could apply to any kind of information from passwords through to entire documents.

It would be quick and easy just to type the information into a Word document and save it - ready for use.

But it’s not very secure and the information could easily go astray.

It is much better to encrypt the data so that it cannot be read without using a master password. Encryption is a technique that substitutes the correct text with a code. The code is produced using an algorithm to make it extremely difficult to crack. This means that only a master password (’key phrase’) can decrypt the information.

It is very safe and should be used for all critical information.

Here are a couple of useful sites that offer encryption programs:

http://www.pgp.com/

http://www.truecrypt.org/

If you need more information, please give us a call 0870 486 2995.

Regards,
D.