How Secure is YOUR Information on the Web?

Posted 4 months ago at 1:29 pm. 1 comment

OK, I’ve been in discussion regarding a new application called Olive for clients to login to a site, tick/write what they want doing, and buy “Credits” to pay for it.
IE,

Customer logs in, buys 100Credits for £200, for that they can pay x amount of credits to get a page on their site updated, or a say 85 credits for a logo design - whatever.

‘Olive’ gives your client a “one click” access to your services with a custom branded app that suits your business branding. Your client will log in, type their update, attach associated files which get sent to you - you will receive a notification in your dashboard with the files and what the update is, you will then assign how many credits the update will need. Credits? I hear you

So, sounds great… But no SSL, So their expecting people to like the idea of having all their customers and projects hosted on a random server with no SSL?  Bearing in mind this server will be used by thousands of Designers and Coders doing the exact same thing as you!  So if one of them gets hold of your client information, they know how much a proposed job, or a job has cost, what work was done, and the contact details for that Person/Company.

To quote someone from Vzaar;

I don’t think SSL is that big a deal for everyone.

Well, I would not like my personal details or details or work I want doing being kept unsecurely online, especially not if it wasnt in control of my supplier, so why would my clients/customers?

Why is it webdesigners and coders see no need for online security?  Since fraud is so high and consumers are so uptight about buying online, or even putting their email on a site that seems dodgy - Why are people still saying “SSL isnt a deal” for holding Personal Information?

Three words - Data Protection Act, enough said.

Olive however, is one fantastic idea, which can save silly amounts of time, and I must say if your a designer, check it out, its going to be floating on the market for an extreamly low cost (I’ve suggested they double the cost) and they are now planning SSL Options, although I’d still prefer to see it as standard.

http://www.sazzy.co.uk/2008/07/olive-a-web-app-for-web-designers

It’s built on Ruby, which Ive kind of followed since its introduction, it seems extreamly easy to build applications, its so very simple.  However simple does not mean its crap, its extreamly powerful too.

The best thing is, its totally free, and quite a few Web Hosting Companies include suppoprt for it, this includes ourselves.  Ruby on Rails http://www.rubyonrails.org/