You’ve come up with a plan, integrated SEO strategies, and generated great content for your customers to read. In addition to launching some helpful services, you’ve begun marketing efforts to a new demographic and are preparing for some website development changes. The only problem is that you’re not so confident about your website’s security. Fear not, as here are some quick tips to make sure attackers can’t hack into your website.

Why is website security so important?

Your website needs to run efficiently and smoothly so your clients can use it to their satisfaction. Quality content can boost a blog’s traffic by 2,000%. But if you’re running a business, the last thing you want is to get to the marketing stage and learn that some of your user’s financial information has been accessed thanks to a security hack. That’s why you have to remember that website security isn’t all about you. It’s about protecting the financial and personal information of users contributing to and interacting with your site. Even with an updated Terms of Conditions statement, failing to secure your website from a security breach could leave you liable for damages associated with users having their personal information now available to the public.

Tips for Protecting Your Website from Hackers

Unfortunately, hackers aren’t a rare breed and come from all over the world. A typical hacker may have a variety of programming and software skills while also being knowledgeable enough to remain anonymous. In most cases, your website is mostly at risk from easily exploited vulnerabilities and situations where you simply let your guard down. Research from the Cisco Annual Internet Report suggests 5G devices and connections will comprise over 10% of global mobile devices and connections by 2023. That means there are more possibilities than ever to fall prey to hackers. So, going forward, keep these tips in mind for protecting your website.

Don’t Let Users Upload Files

Consider avoiding letting users upload files to your site. File uploads are an important part of forums and online communities where images, large documents, and information are transferred from one user to another, or posted for download to the public. Many files can contain viruses and scripts that are then executed on your server, leaving you vulnerable to ongoing security threats. Just imagine a worst-case scenario where an attacker is able to gain access to your users’ personal information to target them for money. Ransomware occurs when a hacker takes control of a computer by encrypting files on a device and requiring payment from the user before the files are unlocked. Because ransomware claims a new victim every 10 seconds, you’ll want to avoid this risk by restricting users’ ability to upload files.

Beware the Dangers of XSS Cross-Scripting

Malicious code injected into your site can shut your business down indefinitely, crippling your marketing efforts at the worst time. The danger behind XXS Cross-Script is the malicious JavaScript that hackers embed in web pages and run in your users’ browsers. The code can change the kind of page context you would find in web applications. The worst kind of XSS Cross-Script, Stored, or Persistent XSS, can remain within affected applications, particularly if the hacker enters the malicious code in a user input field. Website security software, your hosting provider, and the strength of your internet security alone may not be sufficient.

Strengthen Your Passwords

Strong passwords rely on a variety of letters, numbers, and special characters that you can remember, but no one else can guess. Some people may not take the password generation process seriously, which, for a website owner, means vulnerabilities and hacks. Avoid easy passwords, which might contain personal information, remarkable phrases, or names of celebrities, actors, or favorite locations. Additionally, you’ll find that auto-generated password functions pose security threats if someone has physical access to your computer, or if they can hack through with brute force attacks. For better marketing, protect your website’s security by choosing different passwords for your web server login, email, and online bank login credentials.

Don’t be the website owner whose business is hurt by a security attack. There are plenty of ways hackers can get your personal and financial information, and even interfere with the lives of your users at the same time. Your website deserves a great reputation. You can take great strides forward by strengthening your passwords and watching out for malicious scripts. Your security software can do some of the work, but much of staying safe is up to you.

Having a loved one with an addiction can be a very difficult situation. No matter what your relationship to this person is, you love and care for them and want them to get better. Addiction is a disease that impacts not just that person, but the people around them as well. If you care about the health of your loved one and want to help them with their addiction, here are some tips to get you started in the best possible way.

Have Compassion

Addiction is a disease and it is important to remember that. Even if you are angry or frustrated, it is important to have compassion for your loved one as they go through this. The more support they have, the better their chances of beating their addiction are. Early recovery is the most vulnerable point in the whole recovery process and the chances of relapsing are high. The more support a person has in this time, the better their chances of staying sober.

Set Boundaries

Compassion does not mean enabling your loved one’s addiction. It is also important, for your health and theirs, that you set boundaries. This doesn’t necessarily mean cutting them off. It means you won’t do things to contribute to their addiction or help them avoid the consequences of their actions.

Sometimes, this also means doing something dramatic to protect yourself. According to the Journal of Family Issues, about 10% of divorces are a result of substance abuse. While it can hurt, sometimes this is the best option.

Address Their Problem

Addressing your loved one’s addiction head-on can be an intimidating task. And sometimes they will refuse to listen to you. But it is important that you tell them exactly how you’re feeling. Keep your compassion, but be honest. If their behavior is harming you, they need to know. Either way, let them know you love them and worry for them. There’s no guarantee they’ll listen or that they won’t get defensive, but it is important that you try.

Research Treatment Options Ahead of Time

There are many different treatment options for substance abuse and addiction. Take some time to research options on your own. Consider things like 12 step programs, rehabilitation clinics, and medical options. In many situations, addiction is co-occurring with other psychiatric disorders. 53% of drug users and 37% of alcoholics have other mental health issues alongside their addictions. 55% do not receive any treatment. If you can find resources that will address both the addiction and the other problems, this can go a long way toward keeping your loved one sober once they decide to get help.

Don’t Try to Force Anything

Your loved one won’t get treatment until they are ready to do so. Unfortunately, this means that you can’t force them to do it. Even if they are forced to go to rehab, they’re likely to start using again if they don’t go willingly. If you try to get your loved one to get treatment and they refuse, stay compassionate and firm in your boundaries. Let them know that you love them and are here to support them when they do decide to get help. Knowing you’re there will make it easier once they are ready.

If they pull away and decide never to get treatment, remember that this isn’t your fault and you can’t fix things on your own. Don’t feel guilty about anything that happens.

Addiction is extremely difficult to deal with. If your loved one is struggling and you want to help them, provide support and maintain your boundaries. This is the best way to show that you love them while also taking care of yourself. Show compassion, provide help, and let them know that you are there for them when they’re ready to take that first step toward health.

If you are among the people who didn’t stop commuting to work over the past year due to the pandemic, or you stopped but have had to go back, you may be looking for ways to make the commute more enjoyable. Whether you work in marketing, accounting, or engineering, the following are five ways in which you can improve your commute.

Listen to Music

You may listen to music during your commute, something that can help you relax and get in the mindset you need to be productive at work. With a survey done showing that 76% of Millennials and 82% of Gen Z respondents listen to music while in a car, it’s plain to see that many people are already doing this. Try classical music for some relaxation and to improve your focus and calm before a crucial meeting, or whichever genre you prefer. You will find that your commute is less stressful, and it may even seem shorter.

Use Digital Tools

Many people have a smartphone today, and it places in their pocket a variety of digital tools. These include social feeds on popular social media platforms that can update you on traveling conditions, including delays and other incidents. There are also traffic apps that show traffic updates and times for traveling, potentially saving you from taking a route with heavy traffic. Finally, there are different tools for crowdsourcing, like Whatsapp groups which you can find out about from your community or start one if none exists.

Read Something

With more than 94% of the 2.6 million miles of paved roads in America surfaced with asphalt, you can expect a smooth ride to work. If you commute on public transport, you may pass the time by reading a book of your choice. Whether a motivational book or an informative or even entertaining one, you have plenty of options available to you if this is the route you choose to take. You may read a hard copy or try an online book, of which there are currently plenty. You could even just go over some marketing copy to discover new items which you may be shopping for.

Be Flexible

The best plans are those that are not set in stone, and this applies even with commuting to work. To enjoy a variety of different sceneries and experiences, you may choose to drive to work one day then take the subway the next. You will also do well to have a backup plan for things like unexpected traffic snarls, derailed trains, and bad weather. If you have children, have a contingency plan in case you get delayed so they don’t get exposed to risk and inconvenience. If you work in a flexible field like marketing, find out if you can work from home when the situation calls for it.

Walk or Take Your Bike

If you don’t work too far from your home, consider walking or riding your bicycle. Apart from saving you gas money and helping keep the environment green, you will also get some beneficial exercise and improve your health. Walking will also take you on a different route, giving you the chance to experience your neighborhood in a different light, something that may help you feel more relaxed. The average American has approximately $38,000 of debt, not including mortgages. If you’re one of them and you feel like car payments are bogging you down, you have the option to dispose of it and make savings.

Your commute to work does not have to be a draining experience that uses up your energy and puts you in a bad mood even before you get to work. Try the tips outlined above and see if your experience changes for the good.

For business owners, theft and burglary can lead to a huge loss, and in some instances, cause businesses to shut down. Even though it may be impossible to completely safeguard your business, you can take measures to minimize robbery or prevent financial loss. Here are some strategies you should put in place to protect your business from financial loss.

Install an Alarm System

Installing an alarm system can help protect your business from burglary, vandalism, or theft. This is because you can deter anyone who wants to steal from your company by just having an alarm system. Most people install alarm systems in their homes. Yet when it comes to business, the same keenness for security is not applied. That is unfortunate considering that businesses are four times more likely to be robbed than homes. This means your business needs more protection. Also, an alarm system is not that costly to break the bank. One of the important things to remember is getting a system you can remotely monitor on your tablet, smartphone, or PC.

Provide Good Customer Service

Every year, a retailer can lose up to 3% of their revenue from shoplifting. A bigger percentage of shoplifters are adults and teenagers, and most people who shoplift do not get caught that quickly, hence the significant loss to businesses. However, providing good customer service is not only effective for marketing but also for preventing shoplifting. Welcome your guests when they enter the premises and offer to help. Also, ensure you have enough employees working for every shift. Most stores do not have enough employees working on a single shift, which provides opportunities for shoplifters. Also, for every purchase, give your customers receipts. If someone wants a cash refund because they are returning products, ask them for receipts.

Insure Your Business

Another measure you can take to protect your business is by insuring it. That means that even if robbers manage to break in and steal some assets, you will not go on a financial loss as the insurance company will cover losses. This is especially important considering most people lack the savings to cover emergencies. It has been established that only about 30% of Americans have a long-term financial plan covering savings and investments. Therefore, that means that most are not prepared to handle sudden financial emergencies. Getting commercial property insurance ensures that you get compensation from your insurance company when burglars manage to get away with your business property.

Keep Track of Your Inventory and Investigate Discrepancies

It is not all the time that a business suffers external theft. Internal theft is possible as well. Your employees may steal inventory and sell it to other people to make money or keep it to themselves. However, when you keep track of your inventory, it is easy to know when something has been missing and conduct an investigation. It also helps prevent employee theft. If you notice stock missing, encourage whistleblowers. Inform employees what the consequences of theft or hiding culprits are. For example, in Massachusetts, larceny is punishable by a fine of $1,500 or jail time of up to a year if the property stolen was worth $1,200 or less. Informing employees of such consequences can either deter them from stealing or encourage whistleblowing.

Install CCTV Cameras

CCTV cameras provide surveillance by capturing images and videos of what is happening on the floor. No one wants to be caught on camera stealing something. Therefore, this will discourage potential thieves and protect your business even in non-operating hours. Place the cameras in strategic positions to capture every corner and store the footage off-site where you are the only one who can access it. When you install cameras, you are legally supposed to inform your employees. Also, ensure you do not install them in areas where privacy is expected, like breakrooms and restrooms.

Internal and external theft have cost businesses up to billions of dollars in losses. This is why it is essential to enhance security measures to protect a business. By being proactive in matters of security, you can prevent this headache.