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Re: Online Security

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From: Howard, John Gideon
Date: Aug 10, 2006 1:40PM


Marvin-

One thing you might consider is getting your own domain name and putting
up a simple Web site. For example, MarvinHunkin.com is currently
available.

Godaddy.com would charge you less than ten dollars per year to register
the domain name, and about four dollars per month to host the Web site.

An email account is included with hosting so your address could be
<EMAIL REMOVED> .

This is a great idea, because it's a month to month agreement. You can
always change Web hosts and move your entire domain and email address to
a new provider. Your outgoing emails won't include advertisements, and
you will be promoting yourself instead of a big company like Microsoft
or Yahoo.

If you are selective about the purpose of your Web site, such as posting
your resume and only giving your email address to friends, family,
potential employers, and the lists you subscribe to- you can virtually
eliminate spam.

One thing to keep in mind when you are writing your Web pages is to
never include your email address written in the form of
<EMAIL REMOVED> or make an email link such as <a
href="mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ">; instead spell it out as I did
above: <EMAIL REMOVED> .

This is because so called spam-bots crawl the Web looking for obvious
email addresses to "harvest" and sell to the highest bidder, who will
then send you spam. But if only a human can read your email address and
only use it if they are not lazy, you will cut down on spam.

If you use Microsoft Word, you can create a simple, accessible Web site
with the Accessible Web Publishing Wizard available at
http://www.accessiblewizards.uiuc.edu You could easily convert your
Resume from a Microsoft Word Document to an accessible Web page.

Regarding other security concerns:

Maybe it's not the best idea to include your home address online; maybe
a post office box would be worth the investment. Keep this in mind when
you register your domain name, because your information is usually
available to the public.

Don't be too paranoid. It's okay to include your name- how else would
you promote yourself? E-commerce is okay, too- as long as you only do
business with companies and Web sites you trust. Look for secure,
encrypted connections. The URL (or Web address) of secure connections
begins with https:// instead of http://

When you are especially concerned about privacy, use wired Internet
connections rather than wireless connections like those found at "wifi
hotspots" at coffeeshops, hotels, etc. Wireless is notoriously
insecure.

Good luck!

John Howard
Web Accessibility Specialist
IU Adaptive Technology Center
http://www.indiana.edu/~iuadapts