Privacy Blog June Archive

Name of your website?

Self Defense Products

Your name?

James Raymond

Your Location (city, etc)

Cleveland Heights

When did you start your website and why?

To supplement my retirement income. I also think there is a need for self defense products so that people can enjoy their lifestyle without fear.

Please give us a short summary of your website, business model, etc

I have a complete website with product links,merchant account, affiliate program and free content reports relating to self defense. I advertise with Google Adwords and have my own Yahoo store.

What has been the most difficult part of creating and running your website?

Providing fresh content. Optimizing for search engine ratings.

What has been the easist part of operating your website?

Handling payments through merchant account.

What was your biggest mistake?

Not having a complete business model and poor preliminary planning.

Who maintains your website and why?

I do with the help of my supplier.

Tell us how your business has benefitted from your website?

The website is my primary source of supplemental income.

What are your views on ecommerce and the future of the internet?

The number of websites are increasing at a phenomenal rate which increases competition. ( This is good and bad ) There are a number of unscrupulous websites which make the rest of us look bad.

What are your views on Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?

Google keeps changing the algorithms which makes it difficult. The upside of this is that it forces us to display relevant information. This is good for everyone.

What are your views on Search Engines? Have they helped or hindered your website?

They help but it is time consuming to maintain them.

What method has been most successful for promoting your website?

Writing and submitting aricles to ezine directories.

What method has been least successful for promoting your website?

Using Adwords.

What would you like to see change with respect to the internet?

Weed out the unscrupulous websites.

What is your website address?

Self Defense Products

Protecting Yourself Against Most Any Virus

Computer viruses are still prevalent, no matter how smart [404 Check: was link to http:/ / www. http:/ / www. glossynews. com/ aol/ index. php, anchor: AOL] gets in terms of protecting you, and how smart you think your $100/year anti-virus program is. Sad thing is, even as smart as technology is, even the virus blocking companies are reactive, rather than proactive.

That means that each virus doesn't make the whole system smarter, assuming you've actually paid into it. No, it's a reactive system, which means that once a new virus emerges, your virus scan will have to identify it for the first time, label it as an individual thing, and combat it individually. Unlike the common cold, which will inoculate you against ten or a hundred similar colds, being safe from one computer virus means you're safe from one, and only one computer virus.

Here's how to avoid catching computer viruses. These days, they don't wipe out everything you have, because they're costly to create, so there has to be money in them in this, our market driven economy. If your compy catches a virus today, it's not vindictive so much as profitable, and the proprietors of these virii verily count on it.

They may show you popup ads when you're on any given website, or redirect you to their search page when you hit a 404-error page. You may even be redirected from other pages, even the likes of Google, when you type them in. They make mad millions off this, so it's up to you and me to stop them.

Here's what you do:

- Don't download any unauthorized software, not even ones you might think you might kind of want. Random, free software is often coupled with spyware and a virus, but the illegal stuff is almost always infected.

- Avoid porno sites. If you've got one you've paid to participate in, good for you, but stop it. I don't care what you do in your private life, really I don't, but the majority of porno sites either host viruses or link directly to pages that contain a virus.

- Don't open any attachment. Unless your email program shows you exactly what it is, it's probably a virus. My own mom sent me one, once, before I was savvy enough to know. She said, "my boss sent me this attachment and I can't open it!", and that was true, except that he didn't send it. It was a virus and it messed up my computer, even though the sender was (dumb and) trusted, and should have been safe… it wasn't.

- Never download an "exe" file. I know you love and trust Real Networks, iTunes and a gaggle of useless flash games, but seriously, don't trust them.

- If you get a "free CD" of software with your new Thumb Drive or digital camera, don't install it. I know these aren't technically viruses, but they can be awfully close to it. These programs add no value, slow your computer down, try to sell you stuff, and have no business being on your computer in the first place.

- Another really great way, assuming you're on Windows ME or newer (and if you're not, you really need to upgrade,) you can change yourself to a simple "user", which will forbid runaway systemic changes. That means that, if you want to install something, you'll have to logout and log back in as an "administrator". In the mean time, however, you won't get any new programs, system changes or 90% of viruses.

Don't just count on things like using FireFox or Opera to keep you safe, and surely don't count on any number of virus scanners, no matter how expensive they may be.

When I ran my own company, we had three unique virus scanners on our network, and we opened the browsing capacity for all users. Within two weeks we had nine-viruses and our company was nearly out of commission for a week. Expensive, sure, but effective? Not so much.

Available Locksmith Inc. Interview

Name of your website?

Available Locksmith Inc.

Your name?

Irit

What is your website address?

Available Locksmith Inc.

[Ed note: a pretty damn boring interview if I might say so! Now, Available Locksmith comes in total silence.]

GTA Locksmith - Locks & Security Specialists Interview

Name of your website?

GTA Locksmith - Locks & Security Specialists

Your name?

I

Your Location (city, etc)

Toronto, ON

When did you start your website and why?

2 years ago

Please give us a short summary of your website, business model, etc

GTA Locksmith is a full service locksmith company who proudly provides security services throughout the major metropolitan Areas in Ontario, such as: Toronto, London and Ottawa. Our staff, equipped with modern equipment, is ready to perform locksmith services for commercial, residential, and automobiles, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Our 24 hour mobile services include: changing locks, lock installation, lock re-keying, car lockouts, ignition key, high security locks, intercom systems, Access control system, CCTV, gates and more. We're sure you will become one of our many satisfied customers. we are available around the clock to professionally safeguard your environment with our state of the art equipment. As a leading security and locksmith services provider, GTA Locksmith is committed to fair prices and completes customer satisfaction.

What is your website address?

GTA Locksmith - Locks & Security Specialists

ACS Data Search Interview

Name of your website?

ACS Data Search

Your name?

Dan Brune

Your Location (city, etc)

Overland Park

When did you start your website and why?

Our website was started in 1999. The site was designed to help our customers with their screening reports. The site alows our clients to input applications and receive reports online.

Please give us a short summary of your website, business model, etc

ACS has built one of the most comprehensive and cost-effective background checking networks in the nation. Our reports are thorough, concise, and complete within forty-eight hours of application receipt.

Our employment screening service gives our clients confidence in their new hires and assists companies that promise “superior service” in the delivery of that promise.

What has been the easist part of operating your website?

Our site is user friendly. The site is easy to use and self explanitory.

What is your website address?

ACS Data Search

SecuritySaint.com Interview

Name of your website?

SecuritySaint.com

Your name?

Jeff D.

Your Location (city, etc)

Destin

When did you start your website and why?

Shocked at the things we heard on the News & Internet. The abuse of victims, families. Wanting to make non-lethal products available to the masses.

Please give us a short summary of your website, business model, etc

Personal protection products, safety information. Many products not usually found in stores.

What has been the most difficult part of creating and running your website?

Learning a new and complicated field.

Hearing of horror stories about victims that could of been avoided. The impact crime has on all.

What has been the easiest part of operating your website?

Hearing how our products have helped people. Giving them comfort and safety.

What was your biggest mistake?

Not making a website sooner.

Who maintains your website and why?

I (the owner) have all control of content. Want to keep the site on target, never losing focus, to help others.

Tell us how your business has benefited from your website?

We sell many products all over the U.S. many who may have not known about us.

What are your views on ecommerce and the future of the internet?

Forever expanding. The possibilities are endless.

What are your views on Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?

Very complicated to learn with limited knowledge. But certain formulas work.

What are your views on Search Engines? Have they helped or hindered your website?

They have helped us to expand beyond a brick & mortar store front.

What method has been most successful for promoting your website?

Getting involved in groups, & posting in forums/blogs.

What method has been least successful for promoting your website?

Pay per click programs.

What would you like to see change with respect to the internet?

Some kind of monitoring for the youth of today. Warning of "bad" characters on the net.

Does everyone have the right to protect themselves?

Yes, non- lethal protection devices save lives. Knowledge is power.

What is your website address?

SecuritySaint.com

Internet Security Training Interview

Name of your website?

Internet Security Training

Your name?

Graham

Your Location (city, etc)

Newcaslte

When did you start your website and why?

Website began 1 year ago due to my own bad experiences with online fraud!!

Please give us a short summary of your website, business model, etc

A one-stop resource for the best in online security and safety. From Viruses to Parental Control, we aim to educate you whilst evaluating the best software on the market. Frequently Updated.

What has been the most difficult part of creating and running your website?

Definately advertising it on a zero budget!

What has been the easist part of operating your website?

reviewing products

What was your biggest mistake?

none so far!

Who maintains your website and why?

me... its cheaper that way

Tell us how your business has benefitted from your website?

we are a "not for profit" organisation

What are your views on ecommerce and the future of the internet?

risky business... read my website first!

What are your views on Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?

my knowledge is limited!

What are your views on Search Engines? Have they helped or hindered your website?

Its hard to compete for placement when you have no budget

What method has been most successful for promoting your website?

great recommendations and word of mouth

What method has been least successful for promoting your website?

search engine submission

What would you like to see change with respect to the internet?

i would like to see it become safer

What is your website address?

Internet Security Training

Easy Home Security Interview

Name of your website?

Easy Home Security

Your name?

Charlie Ramsey

Your Location (city, etc)

Tarpon Springs

When did you start your website and why?

I started my web site last year after I had an attempted break-in to my house while my wife was at home alone. I travel a lot and I did not feel good about leaving her all by herself. So I started looking for ways to make her safer.

Please give us a short summary of your website, business model, etc

The sites goal is really to provide information to make your home safer with out breaking into your savings account. With the hurricane seasons that we have been having and the terrorist events I expanded the focus to include Emergency Preparedness. What money I do make from the site goes to have more content created and to pay for the site.

What has been the most difficult part of creating and running your website?

Getting it found! As I have created this site I have learned a lot about how to get your site found in the large expanse of the internet. You don’t just put up a site and people come running to it. It’s a Hugh amount of work to get your site to a point where people can find it. I think most people don’t understand how it works, I know I didn’t.

What has been the easist part of operating your website?

Setting it up with the hosting company. By far that was the easist part of the whole process.

What was your biggest mistake?

Not planning what i wanted the site to look like and not having a long term goal of where i wanted it to go. I have rebuilt the site a couple of times because of that.

Who maintains your website and why?

I maintain it because I really don’t make in money off of it at this point. If I where making any money off of it I might hire someone to do the work on it.

What are your views on ecommerce and the future of the internet?

I think it will continue to grow as a viable business option as the new generation of internet users grows up and move into the work place. I think we learned our lessons with the Dot Com.

What are your views on Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?

As I said earlier that I didn’t understand what it takes to get your website found on the internet. Now that I do I don’t see anything wrong with SEO as long as its done in the write manner. Meaning no Spam mail or misleading advertising. It is very easy for a new website owner to make a mistake that Google will flag as a spam site. And then you have a heck of a time trying to recover from that. So having an SEO that can help you avoid those mistakes is a good thing.

What are your views on Search Engines? Have they helped or hindered your website?

Search engines are a two edge sword in that its nearly impossible to get found with out them and you to get listed you have to follow there rules. But if you are a new website and you are trying to get found by the use of SEO they are just as likely to bury you for trying to get to the top. Example: Google looks at the number and quality of links that come to your site. If you go out and try to get links Google says that’s not natural and penalizes your for it. But it you wait for links to happen naturally it could be years or never for that to happen. It’s a very thin line that you have to walk.

What method has been most successful for promoting your website?

Posting on Blogs that are related to my site subject and searching for sites and directories that have free “add url” or “add site” on them.

What method has been least successful for promoting your website?

I tried an auto link exchange that it you put their link on your site it would automatically link thousands of other sites in their network link to you. They did and the next day I had over 1000 inbound links to my site. Two days later Google removed my site from the index. I had crossed the line with out knowing it because I was new and just didn’t know that this was a bad thing to do. It took me 4 months to get my site re-indexed by Google.

What is your website address?

Easy Home Security