Securing Your Computer
Posted 02/18/2016
Maintaining
the security of your computer can be a challenging task. Hackers often seem to be one step ahead of
computer users, even those who are following the best security practices. However, securing your computer is essential
to protecting your privacy, reducing the risk of identity theft, and preventing
hackers from taking over your computer. Clint Kiser of Kiser Computer
Service, LLC, shared his recommendations for protecting your computer
privacy.
Tips for securing your privacy:
1. Update
your operating system regularly.
2. Use
firewalls, Anti-virus programs, and Anti-malware programs.
Kiser recommends, “NEVER, click on anything that claims it
can fix computer viruses and NEVER call any phone numbers that pop up for
technical support.”
3. Update
your browser with the latest version of the software.
4. Keep
all system software updated.
Kiser advises, “Don’t be misled by malicious update
recommendations for Adobe and Java.
Don’t click updates for these programs that pop up in your browser. Instead update through the taskbar (next to
date/time) or update through the programs themselves.”
5. Back
up all your data.
6. Do not
open spam email messages, unexpected email attachments, and beware of embedded
links in email messages.
7. Encrypt
your wireless network, entire drives, folders and files.
8. Restrict
software and set up administrative rights so that nothing can be installed on your
computer without authorization.
9. Use
strong passwords.
SolTerra Communications, LLC Launches New Website, Brand Refresh, and Graphic Design Services
Posted 09/25/2015
PRESS RELEASE
SolTerra Communications, a web design and video production company, has expanded their services and is now offering graphic, print, and identity design services.
With the addition of Solterra’s new artist and graphic designer, Adam Hall, Solterra has become a full service design company, offering corporate identity (logo) design, branding, and print design. Hall holds a Bachelor of Visual Communication (Graphic Design Major) from Shawnee State University, Portsmouth, Ohio with a Dean’s Recommendation of Honors. Hall also holds a Certificate in Web and Multimedia Design from the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio and retains an impressive portfolio that includes freelance art, corporate logo designs, catalogs, brochures, business cards, posters, and innovative web designs.
SolTerra has also officially launched a newly renovated website and company identity. The new mobile-responsive web design was developed using the latest advances in technology, HTML5, and is compatible with today’s browsers and mobile devices. “We recognize the importance of innovating and adapting to new technology; it is critical for every business,” commented Jeff Huxmann, Solterra Owner and Senior Producer. The new site,
http://solterra.us, is designed to make it easy for visitors to learn more about SolTerra, while also showcasing the company’s history of success in the industry.
The basis for the company’s new logo is derived from the ancient cultural symbols for the Sun and Earth. “These symbols have been used for thousands of years, from the time of the ancient Greeks. SolTerra’s new logo is a bit interpretive, and people may see different symbols. For me the new logo is both modern and a nod to ancient times,” explained Huxmann.
Previous Logo
New Logo
About SolTerra Communications
SolTerra Communications® of Ohio, LLC is a dynamic team of individuals creating innovative online solutions, video productions, and branding for businesses and individuals to help them effectively represent their business and the products and services they offer to generate business growth and improve reputation. SolTerra offers website hosting, development, design, maintenance, media integration, database-driven solutions, and graphic and print design. SolTerra is located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in West Union, Ohio, but serves clients across the U.S. and Canada. For more information about web or video design/development and branding services, visit
http://solterra.us or contact 937-779-4412.
Contact:
Jeffrey Huxmann
Owner/Senior Producer
SolTerra Communications, LLC
937-779-4412
info@solterra.us
HTTP vs HTTPS
Posted 07/09/2015
When a
website asks you to enter your credit card information, do you look to see if
the web address begins with https://
? If it doesn't, you should never enter
sensitive information like a credit card number.
There are
two primary protocols used to transmit data through the internet for websites, http and https.
Http or
the hypertext transfer protocol is the language used to send information
back and forth between web servers and clients. The important thing is the letter S which makes the difference between
HTTP and HTTPS. The problem with http is
that it is vulnerable to people who might want to eavesdrop on your activity. It may not be a serious problem if all you are
doing is watching YouTube videos or googling for information. The true problem arises when you are sending
or receiving data that is confidential or sensitive. For example, when you buy something on-line
and pay for it with your credit card, your credit card number gets sent across
the internet. If you are using http for
an on-line transaction it makes it very easy for malicious people to gain
access to your financial information.
The Internet’s answer to ensure your confidential information is
protected is https, a secured connection
that transmits data over the internet in an encrypted form. This security method
means that even if someone is eavesdropping, the data they get would not be
comprehensible or usable because they don’t have the means to decrypt it. The entire message is
decrypted only when it arrives at its designated location. Https is used in many situations, such
as log-in pages for banking, forms, corporate log-ins, and other applications
in which data needs to be secure. However,
if not implemented properly, https is not
infallible, and therefore it is extremely important for end users to be wary
about accepting questionable certificates and cautious with their personal
information while using the Internet.
So why
don’t we convert everything to https so that everything is secured? Although that is possible, transmitting data
via https requires additional processing power to encrypt/decrypt the
data. This could cause massive slowdowns
on the servers that process millions if not billions of data each day. That is why https is only used in certain
pages that contain sensitive information like credit card numbers or passwords.
Never enter
sensitive information in an http website!
Archives
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