ransomware

In light of the cyber-attacks last week in London, Eng and also in Oshawa, ON I would like to share some tips and best practices for preventing/dealing with a cyber attack.

I sent this information as an email to my clients, and would like to also share it here. This is a critical concern, as it was brought to my attention yesterday that some local websites in Uxbridge (none of mine) were hacked on Saturday.

From my past experience in IT and dealing with two Ransomware Attacks, I wanted to share some best practices on how to avoid malware/ransomware and also what to do if you are “attacked”.

  1. Tips to Avoid Getting “Malware” Through Email:

    • If you receive an email from an unknown sender:
      • Don’t click on any links or download any attachments
    • Check the email for spelling/grammar mistakes
    • Check the email address for unusual spelling/formatting

Read more

wordpress plugins

Have you ever just wished your website had that one feature that could make your life that much easier?  Whether you’re a massage therapist looking for payment recording features, or wanting to keep track of contact information for sales on products in case of item recalls.  No matter what you’re looking for, chances are there’s a plugin for that!

WordPress is a world-wide, online, open source website creation tool.  Because it is open source, it means anyone can create themes and plugins for it.  Plugins are these amazing add-ons that plug in to your existing WordPress site.  These plugins can be anything from SEO tools, to specialized image galleries, to product management systems, even sales conversions tools.

If you need it, chances are someone else did too and there should be a plugin for that!

Free vs. Premium Plugins

In the world of plugins, like most everything else, there are free and paid versions.  The free versions typically include the basics of the plugin, minus some nice features like customization and branding.  The premium versions are typically everything you could want right out of the box for a cost.

Plugins range in price depending on their complexity, available support and required features.  Most have the option to buy outright, or pay monthly.

Some of the BEST WordPress Plugins

There are some really amazing plugins out there right now.  The ones I’m currently loving are:

  • Akismet
  • Jetpack
  • WP Smush
  • Wordfence
  • YOAST SEO

These are my essential bundles that I install on every website I develop.  Then I leave room for customizing options specific to the client’s wants & needs.

Some premium plugins that I enjoy are:

  • NextGen Pro Image Gallery
  • Wordfence Pro
  • Events Calendar Pro
  • WooCommerce Premium Extensions (PayPal, etc.)
  • Give Premium

The Downside to so Many Plugins?

The only downside to there being so many plugins, is that there are so many to filter through when you’re looking for your dream one.  That’s why I am constantly reviewing plugins in a wide range of functionalities so I can find THE BEST ONES.

What’s that one feature that would make your life easier and more efficient?

I invite you to get in touch by telephone or email, or connect through FacebookTwitterLinkedIn, and Instagram. You can also sign up for our exclusive monthly newsletter for more great tips on social media marketing, SEO and websites!

Deanna

website security internet security cyber security

Website security is always a top concern when building or maintaining a website. But most people don’t fully understand what they’re securing, or what they’re protecting themselves from. I’d like to share some basic information and preventative measures for website security.

A few months ago, one of my client’s websites was HACKED.  I feel this is not an issue most web developers like to talk about as they feel it indicates we did something wrong.  I pride myself on being transparent in my business, and would like to share my experience with how we handled this issue and what we can learn going forward.

Sometimes Security BEST Practices are not enough

Read more