| Use
'strong' passwords
This is a first step. Use
passwords that are at least 6 characters long and are a mix
of numbers, alphabets and special characters (@, !, $, etc.)
'Know' more
about your web site and where it is located.
Is
your web server located at your company (in-house), or do
you use a hosting
provider to host your web site?
If hosted in-house -
- Find out who has physical access to the server, and who
has virtual access to it.
- Make sure everyone has strong passwords
- Make it your business to ensure that the web server is
behind a firewall and secure from hackers.
- Make sure that the web server is properly patched (latest
security patches, Windows, Linux or Mac)
If with a hosting
provider -
- Find out who has virtual access to your website and make
sure they are using strong passwords.
- Make sure that your hosting provider is a member of Better
Business Bureau, Certified Hosting/Technology Partners and/or
has a valid profile with an organization such as Dunn &
Bradstreet. This ensures that you have recourse, if your
website goes down or has catastrophic reverse publicity
as a result of the provider's negligence.
Use Secure Sockets
Layer (SSL) certificates
Have your provider register
an SSL certificate for you and secure relevant areas of your
website. Publish the fact that you are running encryption
technology on your website to your users to make them feel
safer. Of course, if you collect any personal information
on your website - make sure to use SSL technology.
Do not share
SSL certificates - get your own!
Many website providers will provide you 'secure'
quotes. There is a great distinction between linking to quote/applications
on your provider's website and hosting them yourself. In many
cases you will be sharing the same quote applications on the
provider's domain/server with other insurance agencies. In
the event of litigation or security lawsuits, you will have
no insurance since the SSL certificate is not registered
to your domain and is in fact shared by many agencies
(as provided by your web site hosting & design company)
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