Security Page.

No, our service as your agency does not include evaluating proposals from other agencies. If you receive proposals or communications from external agencies, it is your responsibility to assess their relevance and legitimacy based on your business needs and criteria.

It's crucial for clients to take proactive measures in educating themselves about cybersecurity, recognising potential scams, and understanding security threats. While we are here to support you within our area of expertise, it's essential for clients to be vigilant and informed about these matters. We encourage all clients to prioritise cybersecurity education and take necessary precautions to protect their business interests.

Vague Recommendations: The use of vague statements such as "not properly optimised" or "social media presence is low" without specific details or actionable solutions are red flags.

Unfamiliar SEO Terms: Some recommendations might mention non-existent elements, like "Google Publisher," which may indicate misinformation or a lack of SEO knowledge.

Scare Tactics: Phrases creating unnecessary concern, such as "is not good" and "is low," without specific metrics or context, may be employed to generate unwarranted worry.

Unrealistic Expectations: Expecting high Google SERP rankings within a month of launching a website is unrealistic. Legitimate SEO is an ongoing process, and immediate top rankings are not standard practice.

Inconsistencies: Claims of slow website speed that contradicts the actual performance observed.

Incomplete SEO Understanding: Recommendations like missing canonical tags and robot.txt issues is not applicable or relevant to Squarespace websites as they automatically manage these elements.

We want to emphasise the importance of caution when receiving unsolicited SEO recommendations. Legitimate professionals tailor their strategies to your unique needs, providing specific insights based on a comprehensive understanding of your business.

When exploring SEO services, we recommend seeking reputable agencies that prioritise consultations, research, and tailored strategies.

Google's Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) Starter Guide: Google provides a comprehensive guide to SEO best practices, offering valuable insights and recommendations.

Moz: Moz is a well-known authority in the SEO industry. Their website and blog offer a wealth of resources, including guides, articles, and tools.

Search Engine Land: This website covers a wide range of topics related to search engines and online marketing. It's a reputable source for staying updated on SEO news and trends.

SEMrush: SEMrush provides tools and resources for SEO and digital marketing professionals. Their blog and webinars are particularly informative.

Yoast SEO Blog: Yoast is a popular WordPress SEO plugin, and their blog provides actionable tips and insights for optimising your website.

Ahrefs Blog: Ahrefs is a powerful SEO tool, and their blog covers various aspects of SEO, link building, and content marketing.

HubSpot Blog - SEO Section: HubSpot is a leading inbound marketing platform, and their blog includes a dedicated section for SEO, offering guides and insights.

Remember to cross-reference information from multiple sources and stay updated with the latest changes in search engine algorithms and guidelines.

Legitimate businesses usually have carefully crafted and consistent email addresses that match their official domain.

If there is a discrepancy, it is highly recommended that you do not respond to the email, click on any links, or provide any personal information. Instead, take the following steps:

Verify the Legitimate Email Address: Check the official website for the correct email addresses of their international business department. Use the verified email address to contact the company and inquire about the legitimacy of the message you received.

Report the Suspicious Email: If you believe the email to be a phishing attempt or fraudulent, consider reporting it to your email provider. Most email providers have mechanisms in place for reporting and blocking suspicious emails.

Do Not Click on Links: Avoid clicking on any links or downloading attachments in the email until you have verified its legitimacy. Scammers often use such tactics to deliver malware or phishing pages.

Always exercise caution when dealing with unsolicited emails, especially when they involve business proposals, financial transactions, or sensitive information. Verifying the legitimacy of the communication through official channels is crucial in avoiding potential scams.

An email redirect scam, also known as email forwarding scam or email account compromise, typically involves an attacker gaining unauthorised access to an individual's or organisation's email account. Here's a general overview of how such a scam might work:

Phishing: The attacker often initiates the scam through a phishing email. This email may contain a malicious link or attachment that, when clicked or opened, installs malware on the victim's device. Alternatively, it may direct the victim to a fake login page where they unknowingly provide their email credentials.

Credential Theft: Once the victim's email credentials are compromised, the attacker gains access to their email account.

Email Rules or Filters: The attacker sets up rules or filters within the compromised email account. These rules automatically forward incoming emails to an external email address controlled by the attacker, without the account owner's knowledge.

Silent Monitoring: The attacker can silently monitor the victim's emails, gaining insight into sensitive information, such as login credentials, financial transactions, or confidential communication.

Further Exploitation: With access to the victim's emails, the attacker may use the information for various malicious activities, such as conducting further phishing attacks, stealing sensitive data, or even initiating financial fraud.

To protect against email redirect scams:

Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Use 2FA to add an extra layer of security to your email account.

Regularly Check Email Settings: Periodically review your email account settings, including rules and filters, to ensure there are no unauthorised changes.

Be Wary of Phishing: Avoid clicking on links or opening attachments in unsolicited emails, and verify the authenticity of login pages.

Monitor Account Activity: Regularly check your email account for any suspicious activity and report unauthorised access promptly.

If you suspect that your email account has been compromised, it's essential to change your password immediately, update security settings, and notify your email provider.

Here are some recommendations:

Isolate the Computer: Since you downloaded a file from a potentially suspicious source, consider disconnecting the computer from your network to prevent any potential spread of malware or unauthorised access.

Perform a Full System Scan: Run a comprehensive antivirus or antimalware scan on the entire system to ensure that there are no hidden threats that may not have been detected in the initial scan.

Monitor for Unusual Activity: Keep an eye on the computer for any unexpected behaviour, such as slow performance, unusual pop-ups, or any signs of unauthorised access. Report any suspicious activity to your IT support or security team.

Avoid Opening Similar Files: Refrain from downloading or opening files from unknown or suspicious sources in the future. Scammers may use seemingly harmless files as a decoy before launching more sophisticated attacks.

Update Software and Security Measures: Ensure that your operating system, antivirus software, and other security tools are up-to-date with the latest patches and definitions to protect against potential vulnerabilities.

Regular Backups: Regularly back up your important data on a separate, secure device. This precautionary measure helps safeguard your information in case of unforeseen issues.

If you have any concerns about the security of the your computer or if you use it for sensitive activities, it might be wise to consult with your IT department or a cybersecurity professional for a thorough assessment. Remember that maintaining a proactive approach to cybersecurity is crucial in safeguarding your devices and data.

Ignoring the messages from scammers is a safe practice. Scammers often operate on the principle of getting a response from their targets, as it confirms that the contact information is valid and that there's a potential victim on the other end.

By not responding, you're minimising the risk of further engagement with the scammer. However, it's essential to remain vigilant and take additional steps to protect yourself:

Block the Scammer: If the messaging platform allows it, consider blocking the scammer to prevent any future communication.

Report the Scam: If you have information about the scammer, consider reporting the incident to relevant authorities or the platform you're using. This can help prevent the scammer from targeting others.

Review and Strengthen Security: Ensure that your online accounts, especially those containing sensitive information, have strong, unique passwords. Consider enabling two-factor authentication where possible.

Educate Yourself: Stay informed about common scams and phishing tactics. Knowing what to look for can help you identify potential threats in the future.

Remember, scammers use various tactics, and their responses can vary. Some may persist, while others may move on to other targets if they sense that their efforts are unsuccessful. Stay cautious, and if you receive any suspicious messages, it's always better to err on the side of caution and avoid engaging with unknown or potentially harmful contacts.

Detecting if someone is actively monitoring your email account can be challenging, but there are some signs and precautionary measures you can take:

Unusual Activity Alerts: Many email providers offer security features that notify you of unusual account activities. Enable these alerts to receive notifications for logins from unfamiliar locations or devices.

Check Account Activity: Regularly review the recent activity or login history provided by your email service. Look for any suspicious logins or unfamiliar IP addresses.

Review Sent Items and Drafts: Check your sent items and drafts folders for any emails you didn't send or don't remember composing. Unauthorised access may involve the sending of emails without your knowledge.

Check Email Rules and Filters: Examine your email rules and filters for any changes. Scammers might set up rules to forward your emails to an external account.

Unexpected Password Resets: If you receive password reset emails or notifications that you didn't initiate, someone might be attempting unauthorised access. Change your password immediately.

Unauthorised Devices: Some email providers show a list of devices that have accessed your account. If you see devices you don't recognise, it could indicate a security issue.

Unusual Email Forwarding Settings: Check for any email forwarding rules you didn't set up. Scammers may configure forwarding to monitor your emails.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): If you haven't already, enable 2FA to add an extra layer of security to your email account.

If you notice any suspicious activities or signs of unauthorised access, take immediate action:

• Change your password to a strong, unique one.

• Update your security settings, including recovery information.

• Review and remove any unfamiliar rules, filters, or forwarding settings.

• Contact your email provider's support for assistance if needed.

Regularly monitoring your account and practicing good security habits can help mitigate the risk of unauthorised access to your email.

If you’re receiving submissions from SEO professionals or companies through your website’s contact form, it’s important to be cautious. Genuine SEO companies or professionals typically reach out to potential clients through more direct and professional means, such as phone calls or emails. They do this to establish a more personal and credible connection.

When SEO professionals or companies use contact forms inappropriately, it can be a sign of an unsolicited or spammy approach. Some may use automated tools to generate mass submissions, which can be indicative of less reputable practices. This behaviour can be associated with scams or low-quality services trying to cast a wide net without genuine intent.

Reputable SEO companies adhere to higher standards of professionalism. They generally avoid tactics that could be perceived as intrusive or automated, opting instead for personalised communication.

If you receive submissions from SEO professionals or companies that seem suspicious:

1. Verify the Source: Check the legitimacy of the company or individual by researching their background and looking for reviews or ratings from credible sources.

2. Contact Directly: Instead of responding through the contact form, try reaching out to them directly through the phone number or email address provided on their official website.

3. Exercise Caution: Be wary of any unsolicited offers or aggressive pitches. Authentic professionals will respect your communication preferences and not use dubious methods to contact you.

Simplifying your form and removing unnecessary fields can be an effective strategy to reduce the opportunities for scammers to submit fake information. Focusing on essential details like name, email, and phone number, along with a drop-down menu for referral sources, can streamline the user experience while minimising the risk of fraudulent submissions.

Here are some additional tips to enhance the security of your simplified form:

Drop-down Menu Validation: Ensure that the options in the drop-down menu are relevant and limited to valid sources. This can help filter out suspicious or irrelevant entries.

Email Verification: Consider implementing email verification as an additional step. This can involve sending a confirmation email with a unique link that users need to click to verify their email address.

Phone Number Validation: Implement validation checks for phone numbers to ensure they meet the required format. This can help filter out invalid or fake phone numbers.

Privacy Policy: Clearly communicate your privacy policy and terms of service. This can set expectations for users and establish trust while also providing a framework for handling and protecting their information.

Regular Monitoring: Continue to monitor form submissions regularly. While the risk may be reduced with a simplified form, it's essential to stay vigilant for any unexpected patterns or suspicious activity.

User Education: Include a brief note on the form or your website, informing users about the simplified form and the reasons for the changes. Transparency can foster understanding and cooperation.

Analytics and Referral Tracking: Implement analytics tools to track website traffic and referral sources. This can help you validate the legitimacy of entries in the "How did you hear about us" section.

Implement CAPTCHA: Confirm that CAPTCHA is still active on your form to provide an additional layer of protection against automated submissions.

Error Handling: Enhance error handling to provide clear messages for users when there are issues with their submissions. This can include prompting users to correct specific fields or providing guidance on the required format.

User-Friendly Experience: Despite the restrictions, aim to maintain a user-friendly experience. Clearly communicate the purpose of each field and guide users through the form submission process.

Testing: Test your forms thoroughly to ensure that they function as intended. Check for any loopholes or vulnerabilities that could be exploited.

Regular Audits: Conduct regular audits of your website forms and user data. This helps you stay proactive in identifying and addressing potential security concerns.

Keep Software Updated: Ensure that your website software, including content management systems and plugins, is up to date. Regular updates often include security patches that help protect against vulnerabilities.

Review Submission Patterns: Periodically review submission patterns to identify any anomalies. Unusual patterns could be indicative of potential security threats.

Educate Your Team: If you have a team responsible for managing form submissions, ensure they are educated on security best practices and are vigilant in identifying and responding to potential risks.

Remember, security is an ongoing process, and adapting to potential risks is crucial. By taking these steps, you're actively working to create a more secure and user-friendly environment on your website.

To safeguard your website from inappropriate submissions:

1. Implement CAPTCHA: Use CAPTCHA on your contact forms to prevent automated submissions.

2. Review Submissions Carefully: Regularly review and filter submissions to identify any that may be suspicious or unprofessional.

3. Educate Your Team: Ensure your team is aware of what constitutes professional and legitimate outreach practices and can spot potential scams or unprofessional behaviour.

By being vigilant and maintaining professional communication standards, you can protect your business from potential scams and ensure that you engage with reputable and genuine SEO professionals.

To make sure your website visitors have a secure and effective experience, here's a guide on what to include in the contact form you'll be adding to your site:

1. Introduction:

Greeting: Start with a friendly greeting to make visitors feel welcome.

Purpose: Briefly explain the purpose of the contact form.

2. Basic Information:

Name: Ask for their full name to address them personally.

Email Address: Request a reliable email for communication.

Phone Number: Provide an optional field for those who prefer phone communication.

3. Inquiry Details:

Nature of Inquiry: Include options like general inquiry, support, or feedback.

4. Additional Information:

Company Name (if applicable): For business-related inquiries.

Website (if applicable): Helpful if they want to discuss their website or online presence.

Industry/Niche: Optional, but can provide context for their inquiry.

5. Security Measures:

Country Drop-down: Implement a country drop-down menu for location identification.

Email Verification: Send a confirmation email with a unique link for email address verification.

Phone Number Validation: Implement checks to ensure phone numbers meet the required format.

Drop-down Menu Validation: Ensure relevant and limited options in drop-down menus.

Error Handling: Provide clear messages for users when there are submission issues, guiding corrections.

6. Opt-In for Updates:

Newsletter Subscription: Include an option for them to subscribe to updates or newsletters.

7. Privacy and Assurance:

Privacy Policy Link: Add a link to your privacy policy to assure data security.

CAPTCHA: Implement CAPTCHA for an additional layer of protection against spam.

8. Call-to-Action:

Submit Button: Use a clear and enticing call-to-action like "Get in Touch" or "Submit Inquiry."

Important Tips:

Mobile-Friendly: Ensure the form is accessible and user-friendly on mobile devices.

Thank You Message: After submission, display a thank-you message for a positive user experience.

Prompt Response: Let them know you'll get back to them promptly.

By incorporating these enhanced security measures, you'll create a secure and user-friendly contact form that encourages genuine engagement while protecting against potential scams. Your website visitors will appreciate the added layer of security and professionalism.

Squarespace and Shopify are popular e-commerce platforms that prioritise security for their users. Here are some general security features that are present in Squarespace and Shopify:

Squarespace

SSL Encryption: Squarespace provides SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encryption for all websites, ensuring that data transmitted between the user's browser and the website's server is secure.

Data Center Security: Squarespace hosts websites on robust data centres with security measures to protect against physical threats.

Payment Security: Squarespace integrates with secure payment processors, and financial transactions are handled with high-level encryption.

Regular Updates: Squarespace releases regular updates and patches to address security vulnerabilities and enhance the overall platform security.

DDoS Protection: Squarespace employs DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) protection to mitigate the risk of attacks that attempt to overwhelm the website with traffic.

Account Security: Users can enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for an additional layer of account security.

Shopify

SSL Encryption: Like Squarespace, Shopify secures websites with SSL encryption to protect data transmission.

Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) Compliance: Shopify is PCI DSS compliant, ensuring that it adheres to industry standards for handling credit card information securely.

Fraud Analysis and Prevention: Shopify includes features to analyse and prevent fraudulent activities, helping merchants avoid chargebacks and unauthorised transactions.

Regular Security Audits: Shopify conducts regular security audits to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.

Automatic Updates: The platform automatically updates to the latest version, ensuring that security patches are applied promptly.

DDoS Protection: Shopify employs DDoS protection measures to safeguard websites from distributed denial-of-service attacks.

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Users can enable two-factor authentication for added account security.

At evotech agency, we prioritise the security and reliability of our clients' websites. Our policies are designed to protect against potential cybersecurity risks and ensure a safe online environment for business interactions. Here’s how we manage communications and sensitive information on client websites:

Submission Form Policy: By default, we utilise submission forms instead of displaying client email addresses directly on websites. This approach minimises exposure to unsolicited marketing emails and spam. We refrain from using email icons or explicitly writing out email addresses on websites to prevent inadvertent exposure of sensitive information.

Message Box Restrictions: To mitigate the risk of misuse, our contact forms are structured with specific fields for essential information, such as first name, last name, email, and specific inquiries related to the project. We do not include open text boxes that could potentially be exploited by scammers to deceive or mislead.

Format Restrictions: Fields such as phone numbers and website URLs are validated to ensure they comply with standardised formats. This validation process helps prevent the submission of fraudulent or misleading information, such as fake phone numbers or non-functional website links.

Client Understanding and Collaboration: We believe in transparent communication with our clients regarding our security practices. While we implement these measures by default, we inform our clients about the rationale behind our policies. Our focus is on digital marketing expertise, and while we have knowledge in minimising certain technical risks related to websites, we do not provide cybersecurity advisory services. For cybersecurity concerns beyond our expertise, we recommend consulting with a qualified cybersecurity professional.

We specialise in digital marketing and related technologies. While we incorporate security measures into our digital solutions, it's important to note that we are not cybersecurity experts. Our team possesses knowledge and experience in digital marketing strategies and technology integration. We may provide general advice on minimising certain online risks within our expertise.

However, cybersecurity requires specialised knowledge and training beyond our scope. For specific cybersecurity concerns, we recommend consulting with accredited cybersecurity professionals who specialise in assessing and mitigating online security risks. They can provide tailored solutions and advice to address complex cybersecurity challenges effectively.

We prioritise the security and integrity of our clients' digital assets and employ best practices within our field. Our role is to enhance digital presence and engagement through strategic marketing initiatives, leveraging our expertise in digital marketing to deliver effective solutions.