Email Password Security
December 23, 2008 by tracy · Comments Off
As hard as Live Oak tries to keep our servers secure from hackers and spammers, we are not able to oversee the passwords that our users select for their log-ins and email.
As a result, our servers are sometimes compromised by spammers able to guess our users’ email passwords. Bear in mind that if your email address gets compromised, you run the risk of exceeding your bandwidth, which can cost you or your company over-limit fees.
The most common guessable passwords are:
123abc
abc123
12345
54321
password
nopassword
However, they can also include words available in any standard dictionary. If you or any of your domain’s users have selected passwords that fit into this category, we recommend updating your passwords to something more secure.
The key is to create a password that you can easily remember, but is hard for someone else to guess. Below are some simple tips on creating more secure passwords for all our users.
- The longeryourpassword, the better.
- Always throw in some numb3rs, $ymb0ls, and/or punc.tua_tion marks.
- Mix cApItaL leTTerS with lowErcAsE.
- Create an acronym from a familiar phrase. An example would be to take a phrase “I live on 32nd street” and turn it into iL032st.
- Change your password often and don’t use the same password for all your log-ins.
Use a combination of the above methods and you should wind up with a secure password to thwart pesky hackers and spammers.
Email Troubleshooting Basics: Chapter 2
December 15, 2008 by tracy · Comments Off
Email Configuration Challenges
Not all networks are created equal. If you change networks a great deal (moving your computer between home, work, hotel, airport, etc.), you may find the email configuration you use for one network does not necessarily work for all.
The reason many networks restrict access to email is to prevent spammers from using that network and its and bandwidth to send out spam. But, as a result, it also keeps you from checking or sending valid email.
Live Oak email customers always have access to their email from any internet connection by going to http://webmail.yourdomainname.com. From here, you can log in using your email address and password to get past even the most restrictive networks. This method works well if you are changing networks constantly and don’t have time to troubleshoot configuration issues.
However, if you would like us to help you troubleshoot your new configuration, we would love to hear from you!
Email Troubleshooting Basics: Chapter 1
December 11, 2008 by tracy · Comments Off
A great deal of the tech support requests we receive involve email access issues.
And while we love hearing from our customers, there are a few things you can do before picking up the phone that can help us quickly find and resolve your issue:
- Close your email software (Outlook, Entourage, Mail, Thunderbird, etc.).
- Open a web browser (IE, Firefox, Safari, Opera, etc.) and go to your standard search site (Google, Yahoo, MSN, etc.).
If you can get to that page, go on to #3. If you cannot, you may want to check your internet connection. It could be your machine, your router, your modem, or even your ISP causing the issue. Contact your IT department for assistance.
- Go to your domain’s webmail interface. It will be http://webmail.yourdomainname.com.
If you can get to that page, go to #4. If not, call Live Oak.
- Try logging into your email box within the webmail interface using your email address and email password.
If you get into the site, go to #5. If not, Call Live Oak.
- Open your email software and attempt to retrieve/send your email.
If you still cannot send/receive email, leave the error message on the screen and call Live Oak.
We understand this does not cover all the email issues that can happen, but perhaps will help our users better troubleshoot any email issues that arise from time-to-time.
Can a Blog Help Your Business?
December 8, 2008 by tracy · Comments Off
Have you considered adding a blog to your current site but aren’t sure what it’s all about or what it can do for your site?
Blogging can be a wonderful way of driving traffic to your website on a regular basis and can help contribute to your overall marketing strategy in the long run. Blogging should not, in and of itself, be considered your sole form of marketing. But, when used in conjunction with your overall marketing plan, it can help draw more customers and keep the customers you have.
Blogging software has become so easy to use, that hiring a web developer to make quick content additions to them is not necessary. They offer a way to conveniently add timely and relevant content to your site, keeping it up-to-date. Blogs can also be used to easily distribute information to your employees.
Still not sure? A quick search of the internet on “blogging strategy” will return no end of information. Here are some links to sites that might help you decide if a blog is right for you:
- Blogging Strategy 101 (my favorite for beginners)
- Blog Strategy - Needed For Maximum Blog Success
Have you already decided you want a blog on your site? There are many different blogging packages you can use — some with quick installation. We recommend WordPress because it’s free and installation is fairly easy.
There are also free blogging sites that you can use as well, such as blogger.com, wordpress.com, and typepad.com.
Need more information on setting up a blog? Call us! we’d love you hear from you.