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Who actually controls your website?

13 June 2009
Posted in articles

First of all let me make something VERY clear! This is NOT an advert... What we are trying to highlight is the dangers of FOAF and "free" domains. For those that don't know, FOAF's are Friends Of A Friend.
Our company falls under that catagory sometimes. So what makes us different? We are really a FOAFTKWTD. It doesnt roll of the tongue that well, but stands for Friend of A Friend That Knows What They're Doing.

So. your brand spanking new website is online, the designer has done a brilliant job and you are "Happy as Larry". It's lightening fast, the control panel is so easy even a person that can just about switch on a PC can create a new email account, and updating it is a breeze, due to the built in Content Management.

What happens when / if it all goes wrong?

Let me give you 2 very recent examples.

Client 1 got recommended from another client of ours. Client 1 received a website "free" when he got his business Internet, an offer that is currently being touted by a large internet / TV / Mobile / phone company in Malta. It was a "dot com" address, so he was very happy. The site was designed, within the scope of what was available at the time, and his web guru updated it for him every couple of months or so, after a few phone calls and about 6 emails. After almost 2 years, the client decided it was time for an overhaul, and asked his web guy if he could create some mailing lists, a new layout or CMS and a search engine optimized site for him to increase his hits. He was greeted with a "blank stare"

He came and spoke to us. We offered him a package that fitted his needs, with a fully SEO site, a new design and a system that he could update himself.

frustrated There was one small problem. He didn't own his own website that he had been using for the past 2 years. His "Internet Service Provider" did, and they were refusing point blank to let him change hosting. They wanted him to "upgrade" his package to accommodate the new website, and offer their own services to build it for him. This was "offered" at the bargain cost of 3 times the amount that we had quoted, per year! If he refused, he would have to completely change his web identity, as he was not the registered owner of the domain. Worse case scenario is that he may in fact have to change his web address, or simply live with an outdated and very boring, basic site. Currently we are trying to regain control of his website through ICAAN, and force the Service provider to relinquish control.

If your web identity is not a major concern, then its fine... you can chop and change whenever you want. If you rely on repeat customers, then you have a BIG problem. So do you actually own your own domain, or just borrow it from the company that set it up?

Client 2 own his own domain. He made sure of that. The information is up to date, and the website has been professionally designed by a very reputable firm. Unfortunately that firm got bought by another one. He was placed in a situation that no-one really likes. He needed to find a service to "host" his website. He needed to find a company to actually provide the space and server on the Internet so that when you typed in the address his website showed up. He asked some creative designers he knew, and they offered to help. Within a very short time, they had his website up and running on the new server, and his email flying into his phone. Then one day, his email stopped. It turned out that his group of "Creative Designers" had played with settings, and didn't know what they were doing. Much more importantly, they didn't know what they had changed exactly. After a few days, email was restored, then a day later the website stopped working.

After a MONTH of either having email, or a website, we got called, and to be honest, it was out of pure desperation. I think the phrase is "grabbing at straws". Wegot together on a conference call, and after some research on our part, within 24 hours he had both website and email up and running and was planning a migration to our controlled and backed-up system.
But the clients problems didnt stop there. There was no backup for this website immediately available. In fact, the Creative Designers didn't even know where it was being hosted anymore, as they had changed "something" almost 6 months previously, and forgotten what it was. Then the email stopped working again and despite our best efforts, we couldn't fix it.

Because the "designers" had used a shared system, they had to request a support ticket with their web providers. There was no-one to call. There was no "personal" touch. They were simply clients who had a problem that no-one in this country could fix. I am writing this 13 days after the email stopped working. I emailed the client today to update him on everything.......on his Gmail address!

There is a huge difference between a Creative Designer and a webmaster. We fall into the latter category. In fact, we hire designers to do stuff that we cant. Like create cool logo's and stuff. We can rip a webserver apart and re-install it in less time than it takes people to read a this article, however when it comes to designing a new logo, we suck! But we know our strengths, and more importantly, we know our weaknesses

So now what? The customer is left with his group of Creative Designers that are refusing to relinquish control. They don't want another company providing a better service than they can, and because they host the domain, they have the upper hand.... for now at least. But our customer OWNS his domain. He has the choice. He can force the designers to relinquish control. They are holding HIS property to ransom. We are currently advising him of his options, and letting him decide. We don't pressure, or "force" you into making a decision. We like happy customers. We rely on happy customers. Happy customers make informed decisions.

** UPDATE ** He now has control back, and is hosting the service himself. It seems the hosting provider didnt like what the reseller of the webhosting service was doing, and after reading this article contacted us to help restore control to the domain owner. By the way, everything is working now, and he has regular backups!

So whats the point of this whole article / advert / rant / blurb?

Would you trust your doctor to fix your car? Would you let your local greengrocer fix your plumbing? If the answer is yes, then you don't really need our services. If the answer is no, then contact us, and we can do a "green light check" on your domain, and web services. We don't even charge you! We prefer offering something for FREE, than charging you for doing these checks.

So whats the catch? Its actually quite simple. If you need advice, or want to do stuff in the future, we want to be the first people you call, or email. If its still working that is.

We Register the domain TO YOU!
We GIVE you the Transfer Key if you want it.
No minimum contract duration, if you don't want one!
No Cancellation Fee
24 / 7 / 365 Personal support

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And here is a picture of my cat!

11 May 2009
Posted in articles

Actually, it could be a cat, your family, or even your password to your internet banking.

The Times Of Malta showed exactly why this is a problem that effects everyone.

A 25-year-old man was placed under probation for 18 months today after a court heard how he used to access people’s internet accounts to download films.
The court was told that Jonathan Cutajar would access a list of the users’ email accounts on his service provider’s website and then guess their password and username based on the fact that many e-mail accounts featured the owners’ names and surnames.

Sounds remarkable, however it is true that the internet service proividers in this country do not really offer you ANY support for securing your home or business PC. In this case, the user accessed email accounts.. but what if it was pictures of your family, or lists of assets that you sent to the insurance company, or bank statements?
Thats where we can help. We can secure wireless connections to make them virtually unhackable. We can secure your PC to make it almost impossible to retrieve data over the internet without VERY specialised tools. We can advise you on how to make EASY to remember yet very secure passwords. Nothing is 100%, however we make it OUR businessy to keep up to date with all the latest methods of hacking PC's, only then can we provide support against these attacks.. We monitor the types of people who try to target you! Its called the personal touch, thats why I use Biometrics to access all secure data on my PC and laptop. Its not perfect, but its better than what the Internet service providers left me with.

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How connected do you need to be?

Posted in articles

Email, Twitter, Facebook, SMS's, Video calls and a Bluetooth headset.. All on one device? Is it really needed?

"I-Phone, Blackberry or Windows?

Which flavour do you prefer?"

The mobile phone companies are quick to tout their latest and greatest devices for business users and home users alike. With the rise of Web 2.0, Twitter reaching millions of users, Apple selling its Billionth Application and Facebook replacing coffee gossip meets, 2009 looks like the year to keep in touch, no matter where you are!

I for one am also a victim of this webnomenon. My Windows mobile device has a bundle of applications designed to keep me in touch with the far flung corners of the net, as well as local customers of course! But as I am getting asked more and more about what device to recommend for email on the road, its getting tougher to remain impartial. 3 years ago, there was Blackberry. It dominated the market along with Palm for business connectivity, with Microsoft's windows CE / Mobile PPC platform coming in a weak third! Nowadays, People are looking to Blackbery, Apple or Windows to power their thirst / need for information.

Whatever device you choose, they have Pro's and cons. My phone can receive push email, connect to twitter and even remotely connect to a server. I can use it as a modem for my laptop. or just browse the web on it, connect via Bluetooth and Wifi & I can even use it to make calls!!

I personally wouldn't be caught dead with an I-Phone and you wont catch me branding a Blackberry device either. I tend to stick to devices that i can upgrade easily, and solve any "quirks of software" on my own, as opposed to being told WHAT software i can run! Thats why i have used Windows Mobile for the last 5 years! I compare it to buying a new car, and being told you have to go to that garage up there on the hill to get petrol, because the car manufacturer has made a special deal with him.

Oh, and by the way: If you haven't noticed yet, I am not saying the other contenders cant do what my phone does. They ARE valid business devices. You just need to know how to get them working with your system in the most cost efficient and SECURE way. That's were we come in. We have already done the research, and implement all 3 devices into networks, and being independant we dont reccomend one device just because a paticular mobile phone provider is offering xyz commision for selling those handsets. In fact in this world of internet nad mobile connectivity, one thing you can be sure of is impartial advice about technology, and consultancy from people who USE technology and test new stuff all the time.. We are not just passionate about IT, its in our blood, Our case studies show that as well. Sometimes the smallest thing can make a difference.. as well as the price!

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Legal

15 June 2009
Posted in information

In 2001, Malta's government enacted the Electronic Commerce Act III, which has been amended five times (2002, 2004, 2005 and twice in 2007). This act establishes rules regarding electronic signatures, certification authorities, electronic contracts, consumer protection, and electronic data. This article provides a synopsis of Malta's rules on electronic contracts, electronic signatures and certification services, and computer crimes involving electronic data.

Electronic Contracts

Malta's Electronic Commerce Act III of 2001 (the E-Commerce Act) addresses electronic contracts in Part III, articles 9 through 11. Electronic contracts are valid and will not be denied legal effect, validity or enforceability just because they are celebrated or entered into by electronic means. The offer, acceptance of the offer, subsequent amendments, and cancellation or revocation of the offer may be communicated by electronic means. A contract is concluded when after placing his order the recipient of the service receives from the service provider an acknowledgement of receipt of the order made by the recipient; provided that (1) the service provider's acknowledgement is given without undue delay and by electronic means; and (2) the recipient's order and the acknowledgement of the receipt are deemed to have been received when the parties to whom they are addressed are able to access them. The E-Commerce Act requires originators to provide addressees with effective and accessible means to identify and correct errors and accidental transactions prior to conclusion of electronic contracts. Part IV of the E-Commerce Act, called Transmission of Electronic Communications, is relevant to the conclusion of electronic contracts. It describes the time of dispatch of an electronic communication, the time of receipt, the place of dispatch and receipt, and the attribution of electronic communications.

According to the First Schedule of Article 11, the following are the information requirements that electronic contracts must meet,

(1) "The name and address where the service provider is established;

(2) The electronic-mail address where the service provider can be contracted in a direct manner;

(3) The registration number of the service provider in any trade register or of any professional body if applicable;

(4) Where the activity of the service provider is subject to an authorization, the activities covered by the authorization granted to the service provider and the particulars of the authority providing such authorization;

(5) The Value Added Tax (VAT) registration number of the service provider where the service provider undertakes an activity that is subject to VAT;

(6) The different steps to follow to conclude the contract;

(7) The technical means for identifying and correcting input errors prior to the placing of the order;

(8) The language or languages in which the contract may be concluded;

(9) A statement of whether the concluded contract will be filed by the service provider and whether it will be accessible."

Electronic Signatures and Certification Services

Malta's law recognizes electronic signatures. Part V of the E-Commerce Act addresses signature certification services. The general rule is the provision of signature certification services or services related to electronic signatures do not require prior authorization. However, Minister's regulations may establish and maintain an accreditation scheme that enhances the levels of signature certification services, and designate accreditation authorities.

The Minister may supervise signature certification services that provide qualified certificates. Also, the E-Commerce Act states that those who provide qualified certificates are liable for damages caused to any person who reasonably relies on such certificates. Providers of qualified certificates may limit the use of such certificates provided that those limitations are clear and readily identified as limitations. In this case, the provider shall not be liable for damages caused for uses that did not acknowledge the limitations.

Computer Crimes Involving Electronic Data

The E-Commerce Act also typifies as criminal some acts that violate data security or computer misuse. For instance, those who without authorization use a computer or any other device to access data, software, or documentation held in a computer or in any other computer; or uses, copies, or modifies such data, software, or documents is guilty of an offense. Additionally, any person who outputs or copies any data, software, or supporting documentation from a computer in which it is held or stored, is guilty of a computer crime. Impair the operation of a system or software also constitutes a computer crime under Malta's law. Moreover, altering, taking, installing, moving, erasing, destroying, or adding to any data, software, or supporting document, without authorization, constitutes a computer crime. Disclosing or using another person's password or discovering a code or other access information without authorization constitutes computer misuse crime.

The following are computer crimes when committed without proper authorization (1) modifying computer equipment or supplies used or intended to be used in computer, computer system, or computer network; (2) taking possession of, damaging or destroying computer, computer system, computer network, or computer supplies used or intended to be used in computer, computer systems, or computer networks.

Any of these crimes are sanctioned under Malta law even if committed outside Malta, when they affect computers, computer software, data, or supporting documentation located in Malta or connected to a computer located in Malta

Therefore, it is clear that Malta e-commerce law is in accord with European and international principles regarding electronic contracts, electronic signatures, and data and computer crimes, and Freelance IT is proud to comply fully with these standards

[Reference 1]
[Reference 2]
[Reference 3]

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