In a world that is consistently growing with choices and options, it can be hard to make the right decision when it comes to hiring certain services. This includes hiring a painting contractor, be it for residential or commercial purposes. However, we also now have a wealth of information at our disposal that makes it easier for us to screen all of these options, until we settle on something or someone that fits our needs. It might take a little time, but in the end it is worth it since it will mean a more efficient job for you. These are some of the traits any reliable painting contractor should have.  

Experience 

Of course the first thing you should address is how much experience they have. Mind you though, there could be contractors who have only been around for 2-3 years, but are great at what they do, so sometimes it is not all about the years behind them, although that is what generally sets a customer’s mind at ease. You should also check what specific experience they have. For instance, are they catering to residential properties, commercial properties or both? Do they handle painting and wallpapering? What sort of experience do they have?  

Insurance 

Very, very, very important. We cannot stress the importance of insurance in this line of work enough. A painter can be as careful as possible, and still be at risk of injury on site. If you are not careful, you may end up being liable for any costs and damages, which you really do not want to be. So if your painter is part of a painting company of some sort, ask the manager about their employee insurance and what it covers. Get it on paper as well if possible. Whether they handle line marking Gold Coast or residential painting Gold Coast, insurance is essential. You never know what could happen, and you really do not want Murphy’s Law coming to life. Which usually does, especially when you do not take precautions! 

References 

Unless this is their first-ever job, your painting contractor should have some references to give you. You should also be able to access client testimonials accordingly. Getting a first-hand account of other peoples’ experiences can be very useful in helping you make a decision. You might even be able to find something online. There are plenty of forums and threads that consumers gather on to discuss such matters, another magnificent service of the Internet that we really are not utilizing enough. You can interact with others here, asking them questions and get their opinions as well. This is actually a great way to help you narrow down potential painters.  

Industry Knowledge 

Though it is not really a supremely complicated subject, not knowing enough can result in a disastrous paint job, which is why your guy should be well-versed with the industry. From painting techniques to tools used including the actual paint, they should be able to clarify any queries you have, as well as offer advice on the best possible outcome for your individual situation. They should be able to offer prompt insight, walking you through the different options available. As they do this, it will become apparent to you whether they are bluffing their way through, or really do know their stuff, so go with your gut on this one.  

Getting hacked is the worst nightmare for an e-commerce site. It will effectively kill the business, and you may not be able to use the domain ever again. Website owners and digital businesses these days must take every necessary step to secure the website. It will cost a little money in some cases, but the benefits can go a long way. Here are several things you can do to secure your e-commerce website against cyber criminals:

Update Everything

The first step is the easiest to do and won’t cost you any money. Update all web tools, software, plugins and everything else associated with your site. Enabling auto updates is the easiest. If, however, your website is connected to a larger network, the network administrator might have to update all software. In this case, make sure the network admin does so. Some plugins should be immediately updated as new patches become available. You can subscribe to the RSS feed of a program to get update or security notifications.

Use Encryption Tools

Encryption makes data unreadable. Even if a hacker gets their hand on encrypted data, it will be impossible to read. It’s highly recommended for web developers to encrypt sensitive information like emails and credit card numbers that pass through your servers. One of the easiest and affordable ways to do this is to buy a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate. It is actually a protocol that makes sure data is encrypted when in transit to the server from a browser. You will have to pay, but the price is totally worth it. You can check SSL certificate price online for various providers.

Choose Complex Passwords

It’s important to choose new passwords about every three months. However, it’s equally important to keep these passwords hard to guess. Use a string on letters and numbers that are randomly assembled to get the best, most unhackable passwords possible. The more complex the password is, the less likely a hacker will be able to guess it.

Limit Login Attempts and Password Resets to Admin Accounts

In addition, it’s wise to limit login attempts and password resets, especially for administrative accounts. Some hackers simply keep entering passwords until one works. As mentioned above, using a hard to guess password can prevent this. As an additional precaution, limit login attempts as well. Password resets should be conducted carefully because sometimes emails can be hacked and then used to gain access to admin panels. You don’t have to do this for all accounts, but it’s a must for admin accounts.

Keep Details Out of Error Messages

Sometimes websites have to give error messages. When doing so, give the user only a generic error message. Tell them what’s wrong, but without divulging technical information that a hacker can use to exploit a security vulnerability. Writing simple error messages that don’t frustrate users will do.

Install a Web App Firewall

A web application firewall (WAF) is just like a firewall on your computer. However, it will be uploaded to either the software or hardware associated with your website. It’s not possible to install a firewall directly onto the website. You can install firewall protection from the server side. A better solution is to purchase a cloud-based firewall that can work from just about anywhere.

Do not wait to secure your website with the above techniques before it’s too late. Don’t forget to backup your data either.

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