Email spoofing is a technique used by spammers to alter the originating email address to appear as though it came from some other address, even your own. Email spoofing is relatively common, and is usually caused by malicious bots randomly scanning websites to pick up email addresses, and then using them to mass target other email addresses around the world.

If you suddenly receive a big spike in spam that seems to be coming from yourself, you may have been targeted by email spoofing. When a spammer spoofs an email address they will use an email name generator that can send thousands of messages to random names at any domain name. This results in you getting thousands of bounce-back messages in your inbox. The messages that are bouncing back to you are from legitimate mail servers either denying the spam message (that you did not actually send) or letting you know that the email address where the message was sent does not exist.

Unfortunately, once you have been targeted, there really isn’t a lot that a spam filter can do to block these messages from coming into your inbox. They aren’t technically spam even though they are bothersome. If you notice a substantial amount of bounces coming from the same domain name, they can be blocked at the domain level. Other than that, you just have to ride out the storm.

The easiest way to prevent these malicious bots from harvesting your email address is to use a public contact form on your site instead of posting a mailto: link. This will not prevent all harvesting, but it can definitely slow some of it down.

Having a website just makes good sense.  Consider it your very own spot on the Internet that has the capability of reaching customers worldwide. It is the place where important company and product information can be accessed by millions of current and potential consumers. In a nutshell, a website can be an advertising machine for your business.

But have you ever stopped to think about where your website “lives” or where you would even go to get started? The skills of the company you select to build and/or host your website can have a profound impact on its success.

Below are a few pointers on what to look for in a web hosting company and how to go about getting your business on the Internet.

Reliability

The web host you select must be reliable. It is essential to the online success of your business. Any length of time your website is “down” translates into lost customers and revenue. If your web host cannot guarantee 99% up time (or close to it), it is time to look for a new web host.

Support

Select a web hosting company that offers 24/7 support.  After all, the Internet is the technological city that never sleeps. Customers are always shopping. You want your web host’s support staff to keep your company’s “lights on” day and night.

Security

The bottom line is your website must be secure. If customers do not trust your website, they will simply shop somewhere else. Ask about the security your web host offers and make sure it fits your needs.

E-mail

E-mail is an absolute necessity. It is the primary way your online customers establish communication with your company. Make sure your web host can provide you with dependable e-mail services. The reliability and support that is so crucial to your website should also apply to your e-mail.

Storage

Websites take up space on servers owned by your web hosting company. Simply put, storage is how much disk space you are allowed to use on the server. Make sure you find out how much storage space will be allotted for your website. You should also confirm that you would have the ability to increase your storage as your online business grows.

Bandwidth

In layman’s terms, bandwidth is the amount of traffic or information passed from your website. Most web hosting companies measure this on a monthly basis and charge accordingly for any overages. Bandwidth is typically not a concern for starter online businesses, but it can become an issue as your business thrives. Bandwidth is like storage in this regard – make sure your web host allows you to increase your bandwidth allotment as your company’s website increases in size and popularity.

Other Considerations:

Above all, make sure you do your research. Know what your website requires to function properly and select a web host that knows how to support the programming language(s) used in building your site.

Remember, web hosting is not a “one size fits all” type of business. You should select a company that offers multiple solutions to meet your hosting needs. Look for several different package options and web applications. By having choices, you will ultimately be able to push your website to its full potential.

Lastly, find a web hosting company that offers personal service. Your questions and concerns should be addressed and resolved in a timely manner. Nothing is worse than having to wait on hold to talk with technical support and being treated like “just a number.”