Archive for August, 2009
by FireHost Evangelist on August 28th, 2009
This summer, F5 Networks surveyed 250 companies’ senior IT Personnel about Cloud Computing, and one thing is consistent – the definition of Cloud Computing continues to elude IT managers. In fact, the survey presented six industry-accepted meanings of cloud computing and found that the participants could not pinpoint any of them as being “just right”. The two most popular responses were:
- Cloud computing is on-demand access to virtualized IT resources that are housed outside of your own data center, shared by others, simple to use, paid for via subscription and accessed over the Web.
- Cloud computing is a style of computing in which dynamically scalable and often virtualized resources are provided as a service over the Internet. Users need not have knowledge of, expertise in, or control over the technology infrastructure in the “cloud.”
Despite any confusion about the role cloud computing should play within IT organizations and how the solution will be carried out, it continues to gain momentum. In fact, 99% of the respondents to F5′s survey are actively discussing or implementing a cloud solution within their organization and more than half (66%) of the participants have budgets set aside for cloud solutions.
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Tags: cloud components, cloud computing, cloud environments, private cloud, public cloud
Posted in: Technology | No Comments »
by FireHost Evangelist on August 25th, 2009
In a press release last week, Symantec revealed the top 100 dirtiest websites, but less than half of them (48%) were dirty in the way you’re thinking. The majority of the list’s subject matter features less scandalous content like catering, figure skating, legal services, and buying electronics.
Websites that made the list represent the “worst of the worst” based on the number of threats detected by Norton Safe Web. Without downloading or clicking on anything in particular, you risk exposing your computer to infection and revealing your personal and financial information into the hands of cyber criminals. Simply visiting one of these websites could infect your computer, so we don’t recommend you actually visit any of the websites that made the list.
So what makes these websites so dirty? Malware, security risks like phishing, and browser exploits top the list. In fact, the average number of threats found on the top dirtiest sites is… (ready for this?) 18,000, and 40 of the top 100 dirtiest websites have more than 20,000 unique threats each lurking in the shadows waiting to exploit unknowing visitors.
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Tags: dirtiest websites, Hackers, malware, Secure Web Hosting
Posted in: Security | No Comments »
by FireHost Evangelist on August 21st, 2009
This year, social networking sites have become popular targets for cyber crime according to a study of hacking episodes by Web Hacking Incidents Database (WHID). This is a shift from 2008 when government and law enforcement agencies were the most enticing targets.
Security experts believe social networks like Twitter and Facebook are targeted because of the sheer number of users. Defacement is the most common motivation for ego-driven hackers, and these high traffic, high involvement communities are a great way to disrupt many victims at once.
A study by Webroot sheds light on a few other reasons why social networks make a ripe targets for hackers.
- 36% of social networkers admit they don’t hide personal information
- 33% admit to using the same password for all of their online accounts
- 28% accept “friend requests” from strangers
With such a high percent of social networking users being unaware of the dangers, “hackers lure users into taking actions they shouldn’t by making it appear as if a friend within their social netowrk has sent them a message – only the message is from a hacker who has hijacked the friend’s account,” warns Mike Kronenberg CTO of Webroot’s Consumer Business division.
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Tags: Cross Site Scripting, Phishing, Prevent Hackers, Secure Web Hosting, SQL Injections
Posted in: Security | No Comments »
by FireHost Evangelist on August 18th, 2009
Two and a half years after retail giant TJX Companies, Inc (parent company to TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Home Goods) experienced one of the largest data breaches in history, the firm is still paying. This time, the settlement provides $9.7MM across 41 states to help protect consumers from payment card negligence. One quarter of those funds are devoted to creating a national fund that will investigate future data breaches.
In reality, the latest sum TJX has to pay is small potatoes compared to the capital outlay the retailer has made since 2007 to mitigate the security breach that exposed 45 million credit and debit card numbers. When the leak was discovered, TJX set aside $107MM to deal with the fallout and the expenditures to date are in that range. In two of the largest settlements, they’ve paid $24MM to MasterCard and $41MM to Visa banks. In addition, TJX has been ordered to undergo costly external audits every other year for 20 years by the FTC.
Is it 100% possible for companies to avoid costly and negative public facing situations such as this?
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Tags: Confidential Data, Prevent Hackers, Secure Web Hosting, Website Protection, Website Security
Posted in: Security | No Comments »
by FireHost Evangelist on August 14th, 2009
The FireHost team spent last week at the Gaylord National Resort in National Harbor, MD for HostingCon 2009.
We met great people from current and potential service partners while walking the exhibit hall on Tuesday and Wednesday, but enjoyed time spent talking at length with interesting fellows during the networking events most. The representatives from companies like KSplice, Lycos, BlitzLocal, the IRS (believe it or not) and New Commerce Communications shared interesting perspectives, and we hope our paths have the chance to cross again sometime before the next event.
A special thanks to Rand Fishkin from SEOMoz and Dan Hackett from Aileron for interjecting some interesting and less technical fodder during the last day’s keynotes. Your presentations were really a treat for everyone who attended all three days.
Surf #HostingCon on Twitter to watch ongoing discussion from the event and to follow announcements about next year.
We’ll see you in Austin!
Tags: hostingcon
Posted in: FireHost News | No Comments »
by FireHost Evangelist on August 11th, 2009
FireHost’s CEO, Chris Drake will host a website security webinar for Business Owners and CTOs on Tuesday, August 18th at 11am CDT.
During the presentation, we will demonstrate how easily cyber criminals can compromise a website and provide real “is hacked” examples that have taken businesses offline. We will also reveal some common (and easily patched) website vulnerabilities so you leave armed with key defense tactics that can be put in place immediately.
Session Agenda Includes:
- Hacker Profiles and Motives
- Open Source Vulnerabilities
- The Security Ecosystem
- Hot to Protect Your Website
Do not miss this opportunity. Take the first step toward protecting your business’ online identity. One lucky audience member will receive 6 months free, secure website hosting, so register now!
Tags: cyber criminals, Hacker Prevention, Secure Web Hosting, Website Security, Website Vulnerabilities
Posted in: FireHost News | No Comments »
by FireHost Evangelist on August 10th, 2009
We had a great time collaborating with Designmoo and Chris Wallace to give away 6 months of free, secure website hosting and a grand prize 24″ monitor. Aaron Irizarry kicked off the event with a shameless, entertaining, and informative video introduction, and we can’t imagine that the contest would have been such a great success without his involvement.
Thanks to everyone who participated by Tweeting for our contest over the last 7 days. We appreciate your support.
So, on to the winners. Our seven lucky website hosting recipients are:
Day 1 – Chris Strom @marketplicity
Day 2 – Brian Spessard @brianspessard
Day 3 – David Carmona @david_carmona
Day 4 – Christopher Magruder @uneekgrafix
Day 5 – Ellen Lynch @ellenlynch
Day 6 – Mary L @einsteinsboi
Day 7 – Andy Weigel @cadillacandy
Joel Beukelman @joelbeukelman took home the grand prize monitor!
Give them a virtual high five if you see them online and make sure to congratulate them on having great luck.
Tags: aaron irizarry, chris wallace, designmoo, Secure Web Hosting
Posted in: FireHost News | No Comments »
by FireHost Evangelist on August 7th, 2009
Panda Security‘s most recent report indicates that thirty percent of small and medium size businesses worldwide have been infected with malware, and businesses based in the US are even more susceptible. Close to half (44%) of US based SMBs have lost time and productivity due to some form of cybercrime.
A lack of threat awareness is not the problem. The study shows that almost all businesses in this category have installed anti-virus programs and kept security systems up to date, but a large number of SMBs still become victims of cyber crimes. When disaster strikes, viruses (41%) followed by spyware (26%) are most often the cause.
In a conversation with SC Magazine, Luis Corrons, PandaLabs technical director suggested, “these companies often lack the in-house staff and resources to fight off increasingly sophisticated and exponentially more targeted Internet attacks.” (more…)
Tags: cyber security, cybercrime, Hackers, Vulnerabilities, Website Security
Posted in: Security | No Comments »
by FireHost Evangelist on August 4th, 2009
Raytheon, a National Defense Contractor is actively hiring hundreds of “Cyber Warriors” in response to President Obama’s announcement that cybersecurity is one of our country’s most urgent priorities.
Steve Hawkins, Raytheon’s VP of Information Security Solutions, told FoxNews.com that there are more than 30 different job descriptions available, and applicants must pass the most stringent security clearances. Qualified individuals must understand computer systems and have a handle on the interaction between hardware and software down to the nitty-gritty. Additionally, applicants should know how the adversary [ cybercriminals ] thinks and adopt their perspective, but in an ethical way.
Raytheon isn’t alone in the movement to beef up the US cyber army. The Center for Strategic and International Studies recently kicked off a nationwide talent search for high school and college students to encourage cybersecurity as a career path. (more…)
Tags: cyber security, cybercrime, Secure Web Hosting
Posted in: Security | No Comments »
