It’s been a while since I did a round up post. So much has gone on this week that can affect local businesses online, I thought it’s time to resurface the round up!
Heartbleed Bug
The big news last week is the secure web isn’t actually that secure. I’m not a techie or web security expert, I’m certainly not going to even try and get my head around that stuff. It boils down to this…
There’s a hole in one of the popular security code thingies (OpenSSL), which when poked the right way with the right stick releases information you wouldn’t want releasing – your passwords or credit card info for example.
I’m not trying to make light of it. This bug has been around for 2 years apparently, we’re just hearing about it now. What has happened since coming to light is everything from mass panic “change all the passwords!” to (in the case of my bank) “Eh? What?”
Both responses are inappropriate…
What now?
- If you are running a secure website or service, check with your host if your site is affected.
- As a web user, check if secure sites and services you use have been affected then take appropriate action.
There is no point in changing your passwords on affected sites or services until the security hole has been patched and the certificate re-issued.
Mashable have a running list of popular sites and services with their action required responses so far.
LastPass have a Heartbleed checking tool to check if individual sites are affected by the bug.
WordFence blogged their advice for WordPress users.
If you want your mind blowing with techie stuff about how the bug was discovered, how it works and advice for developers and admins, Troy Hunt has a pretty good write up.
Google Local/Places
There’s lot’s going on around Google Places/Local this week.
Bulk Upload Upgrades
Guidance for Location Pages and Department Phone Numbers
Target Audiences For Pages
Plus Your Business Guide To Google Local
And, in case you missed it here on the blog…
How To Transfer Ownership of Your Google Plus Business Page
Over on Facebook
Facebook Cracks Down On Pages Spam
Over to you…
Have you had a week of changing passwords? Has any of the the above news affected you?
Heartbleed, Schema and Spam, Oh My! (A Week Online, Round Up) by Jan Kearney
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- What elements are important on your website
- How to set up your Google My Business Local Page
- How Google Plus can help you zoom past your competitors
- Two things you should not neglect if you want to rank in the local search pack
- How to power past your competitors and dominate your area
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Apparently I read the post yesterday but forgot to leave a comment. Appreciate the links that you put together to help us know just what we need to do to keep our sites from getting hacked, or worse.
Jan
Thanks for the information. I don’t think the Heartbleed has affected me, but glad to see a reasonable approach suggested not the panic as being reported in the Press.
A couple of my banks have come back and say they are not affected so looks as if I might be OK
DaveT