Big changes are coming soon for SSL/TLS certificates to make the internet a safer place. Starting March 15, 2026, the maximum lifespan of a new certificate will drop from 398 days to 200 days. These changes affect all certificate providers and web browsers, and they are part of a broader industry plan to strengthen online…

The post How to Prepare for 2026 SSL Validity Changes appeared first on Webnames Blog.

Every January, most of us dive into fresh starts like new routines, new calendars… maybe even new gym memberships we swear this time we’re going to stick to. But there’s one reset that often gets overlooked, and it’s arguably more important than all the others combined: Your annual (or ideally semi-annual) digital security check-up. Cybersecurity…

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Note: This article on detecting whether a website is a fraud or scam was first published in September 2013, was updated for 2020, and has been updated again to reflect the current climate in 2025. The updates reflect recent internet security best practices and emerging threats and trends in the industry. We will always try…

The post How to Determine if a Website is a Fake, Fraud or Scam – 2025 Updated Guide appeared first on Webnames Blog.

Understanding Spam in 2024 In 2024, spam continues to be defined as unwanted and unsolicited messages sent indiscriminately to large groups. Although the core definition remains consistent, the tactics employed by spammers have evolved dramatically, particularly with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). Spam is no longer confined to just email either, it has spread…

The post Email Security Guide: Spam & Phishing Prevention appeared first on Webnames Blog.

In a significant move to enhance web security, both Google and Firefox have announced that they will no longer support SSL / TLS certificates issued by the Certificate Authority (CA) Entrust. This decision is rooted in Entrust’s ongoing compliance issues and will have far-reaching impacts, especially to current users of Entrust and AffirmTrust SSL Certificates.…

The post Google and Firefox to Stop Supporting Entrust SSL Certificates: What You Need to Know appeared first on Webnames Blog.

Most Canadian Businesses Aren’t Sufficiently Prepared to Prevent Downtime or DDoS Attacks The DNS is like the unsung hero of the Internet. It’s the magic that makes the Internet logical and navigable for its human users. When it’s working as expected, most of us take it for granted… until something goes wrong. Understanding DNS The…

The post The Power of Anycast DNS for Businesses appeared first on Webnames Blog.

The internet is an incredible tool that has revolutionized the way we communicate, work, and live. However, like any powerful tool, it can also be used for harm. One of the ways that malicious actors can exploit the internet is through the abuse of top-level domains or TLDs. These TLDs are the highest level in…

The post The Dark Side of Domains: Unveiling the Perils of TLD Abuse appeared first on Webnames Blog.

If you have a website, you probably know that you need an SSL certificate to secure it. (If you’re not sure why every website needs an SSL certificate, learn more about the benefits here.) But do you know what an SSL certificate is and how it works? And more importantly, do you know how to…

The post SSL 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Understanding Website Security appeared first on Webnames Blog.

In today’s digital age, businesses of all sizes face a growing threat from cybercriminals. One of the most common and effective tactics used by these criminals is phishing. Phishing attacks are designed to exploit human behaviour and trick individuals into revealing sensitive information such as passwords, financial information, and personal data. They’re becoming increasingly sophisticated,…

The post Understanding Phishing & How To Defend Against It appeared first on Webnames Blog.

The latest addition to our growing suite of SSL Management enhancements is SSL Monitoring. Our SSL monitoring service helps small businesses and large IT teams alike to validate SSL installation and ensure that everything is working as intended, through automated testing. Codes, ciphers, and encryption of communications are almost as old as human society itself.…

The post Introducing SSL Certificate Monitoring Service: Automated Alerts for SSL Installation & Configuration appeared first on Webnames Blog.

Whether you run a simple one-page-website for a side hustle or manage hundreds of domains for your employer which is a large corporation, domain name security merits your attention and action. Losing control of your domain names could lead to data compromise, website downtime, fraud attempts on your customers and loss of credibility. In this…

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Domain name security is one of the many cybersecurity threats that businesses should be wary of. At Webnames, we have built a free, powerful and easy tool that can help detect potential domain compromise risks for small businesses and large organizations alike. Domain name security risks As the literal address of brands and businesses online, domain…

The post Introducing: Domain Name Security Scan Tool – fast & easy with actionable insights appeared first on Webnames Blog.

HTTPS Domain Forwarding with SSL Certificates is a feature that is increasingly important to website owners and webmasters, with rising public awareness about secure websites. Improved messaging by web browsers such as Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox on the topic of secure websites has had a powerful impact on HTTPS traffic on Google and the…

The post How to Enable HTTPS URL Forwarding on a Domain Name appeared first on Webnames Blog.

A number of weeks ago, a customer of ours reached out to us upset – she discovered an imposter website posing as her former business that was created by scammers on her old domain.  After two years of responsibly forwarding her old domain name to her rebranded business website, she decided not to renew it.…

The post Expired Domains Are a Security Threat to your Business – Here’s How to Protect Yourself appeared first on Webnames Blog.

Do you think your website is too small to be plagued by malware? If so, you would be wrong. The reality is that anyone’s website can be a target – regardless of its size or the type of content that is published. With that in mind, below are five malware removal tips your website needs…

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With frequent news stories of hacked sites and data breaches, it’s understandable that 73% of consumers are worried about sharing their personal and financial information for fear of it being stolen (Experian 2018). Furthermore, a recent Baymard (2020) report showed that 18% of cart abandons happen because a customer does not trust a website.  …

The post Get Better Sales by Raising the Trust-Factor appeared first on Webnames Blog.

Over the past several years, municipalities, universities, schools, and hospital institutions – or the MUSH Sector for short – have become an attractive hunting ground for cybercriminals. Comprised of entities that receive government funding, but that are not controlled by government, the MUSH sector also important civic institutions like police forces, long term care homes,…

The post Combatting Cyberattacks at Local and Public Institutions appeared first on Webnames Blog.

The pandemic has been a boon for cybercriminals. Hackers, scammers, and spammers seem to be thriving as the rest of society practices social distancing, and businesses adapt to working from home. Agencies across the globe are reporting unprecedented rises in cyber scams of all kinds, particularly those exploiting our increased interest in COVID-19 related news,…

The post How to Be Threat Aware and Cyber Resilient During COVID-19 appeared first on Webnames Blog.

Thank you to everyone who attended our webinar Cybersecurity for Home Networks & Small Businesses during COVID-19 last week, and special thanks to Jon Lewis, Product Marketer with CIRA Cybersecurity Services, for co-presenting. It was fantastic to have such an engaged and interested group! As promised, and since we were not able to address most…

The post Your webinar questions answered: VPNs, Password Managers and Zoom appeared first on Webnames Blog.

COVID-19 has brought on new and unique cybersecurity challenges to business owners and IT teams, largely because this is the first time many Canadian organizations have to learn how to manage remote workers, as well as rapidly scale up their remote working capabilities.  Practically overnight, businesses have been flipped on their heads. Whether you’re a…

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