The single most important feature a web hosting plan can have is a good encryption service. Without proper data encryption, all of the information sent to and from your website can be intercepted by hackers and other cyber criminals. If you run an online business, this can prove to be especially dangerous, as there is important information being transferred on your web server daily, including credit card numbers, bank account numbers, addresses, phone numbers and other information that your customers entrust to you. If this information is intercepted you may be held liable, and ultimately your business could be dismantled.
What is Encryption?
Encryption is the transformation of plain information into encrypted information which cannot be viewed by an outsider without a special key that unlocks the encryption. When data transfers through an encryption service it is scrambled in a seemingly arbitrary fashion. By the time it reaches the other side of the portal, the data is completely unrecognizable and cannot be used by any third party without the key that is custom generated during the encryption process. The encryption services uses a computer algorithm to create a random cipher which prevents hackers from accessing the encrypted information. Many people also use the term decryption to refer to the process of deciphering the information for the end users usability. Over the years the standards for encryption has changed notably.
WEP
WEP – (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is an algorithm that has been deprecated to effectively secure all IEEE 802.11 wireless networks. Since wireless networks broadcast their messages utilizing radio waves, they are susceptible to intruders, even more than conventional networks with wires attached. When it was first released, WEP proposed to provide completely confidentiality similar to that of a conventional wired network. However, in 200 various crucial weaknesses were noticed by professional cryptanalysts, and it is now a widely accepted fact that a WEP connection can be hacked easily obtainable software in a very short time period.
WPA
In response to the aforementioned weaknesses of WEP, WPA was created.
WPA/WPA2 – (Wi-Fi Protected Access) is a program that provides certification, developed by the Wi-Fi Alliance to represent complete compliance with all security protocol instilled by the Wi-Fi Alliance. These protocols are specifically designed to maintain safety in all wireless networks. The WPA protocol enables safe functionality of IEEE 802.11i standard, but was initially meant to an intermediate security measure to temporarily substitute WEP while 802.11i was being prepared. The later developed WPA2 established an advanced protocol that is now seen as the full standard in data encryption.
Conclusion
Having the proper encryption services to protect your online website is absolutely imperative, especially when running an online business. Knowing the nature for encryption services and what the industry standard is will help you make the right decision without having to experience costly trial and error mishaps. Using only thee best encryption services will keep your business from suffering, and will prevent you and your customers from being victimized.
March 5th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
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