As your Google account becomes increasingly important Google have announced a new (optional) technique to secure your account using your mobile or smart phone. Google’s system doesn’t require a physical keycard. Instead, it relies on your mobile phone. First, you need to activate the optional feature from your settings page (again, ... Continue reading 'Google Improves Security With Help From Your Smart Phone'

Renaming the default user name admin is one of the most basic security measures that should be taken to secure a WordPress installation. Unfortunately the only way to do this (until WordPress 3.0 arrives which will let you choose your admin name at install) is to edit the database directly. This plugin lets you rename admins from the admin area. Continue reading 'Plugin Review: Admin Renamer Extended'

I'm a webmaster working in the UK and Spain as a developer and webmaster (I also create sites). I have over 16 years of industry experience configuring and maintaining ecommerce sites and blogs. On this site you'll find my blog offering tips and thoughts on subjects related to the services I offer such as online trust, identity and security. You'll also find information about products that I use and recommend along with some that I don't! I offer a number of off-the-shelf services such as program installation, website maintenance and one-to-one classes via Skype. Continue reading 'Web Development for Small Business'

Its a sobering fact and one that I can testify to - most websites will be hacked at some stage. The ones most likely to be targeted are ones using programs such as WordPress due to its popularity. There are many ways to secure WordPress but this should be considered one of the first steps and is simply a plugin that can be installed quickly and simply. Continue reading 'Hiding That Your Site Runs WordPress'

Gmail has added a feature to help you identify "phishing" - fake emails that pretend to come from places such as your bank or eBay. The new feature verifies the email's source and adds a key icon to it. Currently it only highlights genuine eBay and PayPal emails but Google promise more validated emails soon. Here's how to switch it on. Continue reading 'Gmail Verifies Emails, Adds Key Icon'

After a recent hack attack, Olly over at guvnr.com produced a nice video on how to secure your WordPress blog. "Why secure it, it works just fine?" you say. Well it could be defaced or used to gain access to your server where programs can be installed e.g. to ... Continue reading '[Video] Ten Steps to Secure WordPress'