Tag: Websites

Security Stop-Press : cPanel Bug Puts Hosted Websites At Risk

Posted on by Paul Stradling

Hackers are exploiting a critical flaw in cPanel and WebHost Manager that can allow full server access without logging in.

Tracked as CVE-2026-41940, the issue lets attackers bypass authentication and reach admin panels. Canada’s Cyber Centre has warned that exploitation is “highly probable” and requires immediate action.

Because cPanel is widely used by hosting providers, attackers could gain control of websites, databases, and email accounts, potentially impacting multiple businesses on shared servers.

Patches have been released, but reports suggest that exploitation attempts began as early as February, before public disclosure.

To reduce risk, businesses should ensure systems are patched, check with hosting providers, review logs for unusual activity, and restrict access to admin interfaces.

Tech News : Slow Websites Costing UK Businesses £££

Posted on by Paul Stradling

A recent study by US-based hosting provider Liquid Web has revealed that slow website performance is costing businesses thousands of pounds per year in revenue and draining resources at an alarming rate.

Slow Websites Costing UK Businesses 

The study, which was based on a survey of 206 business owners from industries ranging from ecommerce to consulting, found that poor website performance costs businesses an average of 15 per cent of their annual revenue. For small businesses earning $119,000 / £93,000 annually, this translates to a loss of approximately £14,000 per year.

In an era where online presence is vital for business success, these findings appear to highlight a critical need for companies to address their digital inefficiencies.

The Financial Toll of Poor Website Performance

According to the survey, over one in ten businesses experienced website downtime over the past year, while 35 per cent dealt with slow loading times. These types of issues not only frustrate users but also significantly impact revenue. For example, businesses reported an average traffic loss of 7.5 per cent due to sluggish website speeds or downtime, with 12 per cent of respondents admitting they lose revenue every month.

Even Worse for Ecommerce Businesses 

For ecommerce businesses, where online transactions form the backbone of operations, the impact appears to be more pronounced. For example, approximately 13 per cent of ecommerce respondents indicated monthly revenue losses, with these losses equating to an 11 per cent annual shortfall. The study also highlighted key moments, such as Black Friday, where businesses estimate they could lose over £900 due to performance-related issues, with slow-loading pages being a major contributor to bounce rates exceeding 50 per cent.

Reputation and Growth Opportunities at Stake 

Beyond immediate financial losses, it seems that poor website performance has ripple effects that hinder long-term growth. For example, two-thirds of businesses reported lost revenue, and 55 per cent acknowledged missing critical growth opportunities due to performance issues. Damage to brand reputation was another significant concern, with 41 per cent of respondents citing this as a consequence, while 33 per cent faced an increase in customer complaints.

Also, the Liquid Web survey revealed that more than a quarter of business owners felt their slow websites caused them to lag behind competitors with more reliable online platforms. In highly competitive sectors such as ecommerce and digital marketing, falling behind rivals can lead to substantial long-term losses.

Responding to the survey results on the Liquid Web website, Tiffany Bridge, Ecommerce Product Manager at Liquid Web, emphasised the customer experience angle, saying: “When pages take too long to load, customers leave—sometimes for good—resulting in lost sales and damaged trust.” 

Barriers to Improvement 

While the need for improvement is evident, many businesses say they face obstacles in implementing necessary changes. For example, the survey showed that cost appears to be the most significant barrier, with half of the surveyed businesses citing it as a limitation. Also, 30 per cent of respondents pointed to a lack of technical expertise as a hindrance. Other challenges included time constraints, unclear ROI, and insufficient resources.

Still Planning Investment 

Despite these barriers, 28 per cent of business owners surveyed said they plan to invest an average of £900 in website improvements ahead of the holiday season by optimising images and code (38 per cent), reducing third-party plugins (32 per cent), and switching to high-performance hosting providers (27 per cent).

The High Stakes of Seasonal Sales 

The stakes are especially high during peak shopping periods like Black Friday (now very popular in the UK too) and Cyber Monday. For many businesses, these days can contribute up to 30 per cent of their annual sales volume. Liquid Web’s study revealed that even just a 1-second improvement in site speed can increase conversion rates by a massive 27 per cent, thereby highlighting the importance of performance during high-traffic events.

Ryan MacDonald, Chief Technology Officer at Liquid Web, also pointed out the importance of scalability, saying: “With the right scalable solutions, businesses can handle busy periods like the holidays without overextending their budget while laying the foundation for long-term success.” 

Turning Challenges into Opportunities 

While the findings paint a concerning picture, it could be said that they also serve as a wake-up call for businesses to turn performance challenges into opportunities. High-performance hosting, proactive optimisation, and strategic scalability are just some of the measures businesses can take to ensure their websites remain reliable and competitive.

It should also be noted here that, although Liquid Web’s study has revealed some important insights, Liquid Web is in the business of providing hosting solutions, meaning that it is perhaps not surprising that a key recommendation of the report is that investing in website performance is not just a technical necessity but a strategic imperative for businesses looking to thrive in a digital-first world.

What Does This Mean for Your Business? 

The findings from Liquid Web’s study essentially show that in today’s ‘digital-first’ world, website performance is not a luxury but a necessity. Businesses across industries are increasingly reliant on their online presence, and the consequences of underperformance appear to be stark. From lost revenue and diminished customer trust to reputational damage and missed growth opportunities, the costs of a slow or unreliable website are likely to be far-reaching. For small businesses, where every pound counts, the financial toll alone can be devastating, as highlighted by the average annual losses of up to £14,000.

What this means for businesses is that addressing website performance issues is no longer optional. However, while the study strongly advocates for investment in high-performance hosting and site optimisation, these recommendations must be considered alongside the practical challenges faced by many businesses, such as limited budgets, technical expertise, and resources. A balanced approach that weighs the costs of improvement against the potential losses caused by inaction may, therefore, be recommended.

The study also serves as a reminder of the competitive edge that reliable website performance can provide. In crowded markets like ecommerce and digital marketing, where customer expectations are higher than ever, businesses with fast, dependable websites are more likely to attract and retain customers. Conversely, those that lag behind risk losing not only sales but also their standing against more digitally agile competitors.

For many businesses, the prospect of investing in better hosting or optimising site speed may seem daunting, but as the data shows, the returns can far outweigh the initial outlay. For example, the study revealed that improving page load times by even a second can lead to a 27 per cent increase in conversions, a powerful incentive to prioritise performance enhancements, particularly during critical sales periods like Black Friday or Cyber Monday.

However, it is also important to approach the findings with some perspective – hosting providers may be viewed as having a vested interest in highlighting the need for better hosting solutions. While this study offers valuable insights, businesses may want to tackle some of the lower-hanging fruit first by (for example) reducing unnecessary plugins, optimising images and code (or implementing caching) before or alongside upgrading hosting solutions.

The message in this case appears to be clear: businesses cannot afford to overlook the impact of poor website performance. Whether through small, incremental improvements or larger investments in high-performance hosting, addressing these issues may be vital not only to protect revenue but also to foster customer loyalty and secure long-term growth. In an increasingly digital economy, those that take proactive steps now should be better positioned to thrive in the years ahead.

Summer Apple Pips : 10 Top iPhone Tricks

Posted on by Paul Stradling

Here are 10 top iPhone tips / tricks you may not know about that could make your life easier and help you to be more productive:

1. Digitally Sign Documents

Gone are the days when you needed a printer or scanner to sign important documents. With your iPhone, you can quickly add your signature to any document. Simply take a screenshot of the document, tap the preview thumbnail that appears, and select the Plus icon on the bottom right. From there, choose “Signature” and either draw a new signature or use a stored one. Once you’ve positioned and resized your signature, save the document to share it digitally.

2. Set Up Keyboard Shortcuts for Frequently Used Phrases

If you find yourself repeatedly typing the same phrases, save time by setting up keyboard shortcuts. Navigate to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement. Tap the plus icon to create a new shortcut, then enter the phrase and a corresponding abbreviation. Now, when you type the abbreviation, your iPhone will automatically expand it to the full phrase. This is especially useful for commonly used business phrases or contact information.

3. Turn Your Keyboard into a Trackpad

Need to edit a text message or email with precision? You can convert your iPhone’s keyboard into a trackpad (like a mousepad on a laptop) by holding down the spacebar. As you press, the keys will disappear, allowing you to move the cursor with your finger. This feature makes it easier to navigate and edit text without having to tap directly on the screen.

4. Extract Text from Photos and Videos

With iPhone’s Live Text feature, you can quickly extract and interact with text found in photos or paused video frames. Simply open the image or video, tap the Live Text icon, and the text will be highlighted. You can then copy, paste, or interact with the text—whether it’s translating a foreign language, dialing a phone number, or visiting a URL. This is a powerful tool for capturing and utilising information on the go.

5. Broadcast Your Screen During Presentations

When you need to share your iPhone screen during a virtual meeting, you can easily do so by using the screen recording feature. Access the Control Centre and long-press the Screen Recording button. You’ll be able to choose an app like Zoom, Google Meet, or Skype to broadcast your screen directly. This is a seamless way to share presentations, demonstrate apps, or provide training sessions remotely.

6. Enhance Audio Quality in Voice Memos

If you often use the Voice Memos app to record meetings, interviews, or notes, you can significantly improve the audio quality by reducing background noise. After recording, tap the equaliser icon and toggle on “Enhance Recording.” This feature filters out ambient noise, ensuring your voice is clear and professional, making your recordings more useful for later reference.

7. Customise Safari Settings for Specific Websites

Not all websites are created equal and some may require different settings for optimal viewing. In Safari, you can tailor the appearance and functionality for individual sites. While browsing, tap the AA icon in the address bar to adjust the font size, enable Reader mode, or choose to always view the desktop version of the site. This feature ensures a consistent and comfortable browsing experience, especially when working with content-heavy websites.

8. Efficiently Move Multiple Apps at Once

Reorganising your home screen doesn’t have to be a tedious process. Instead of moving apps one by one, you can select multiple apps simultaneously. Press and hold one app until it starts to wiggle, then tap additional apps with another finger to create a group. You can then drag this group to a new location or page on your home screen, saving you time and effort.

9. Scan and Save Documents with the Notes App

The Notes app on your iPhone doubles as a portable scanner, making it easy to digitise documents. Open a new note, tap the camera icon, and select “Scan Documents.” The app will automatically detect the edges of the document and capture a clear, high-quality scan. This feature is invaluable for quickly saving and sharing contracts, receipts, or any other important paperwork while on the move.

10. Silence Unknown Callers to Minimise Distractions

If you’re tired of being interrupted by unwanted calls, you can enable the “Silence Unknown Callers” feature. Go to Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers, and any number not in your contacts will be automatically directed to voicemail. You’ll still receive a notification of the missed call, and the number will appear in your Recents list. This feature helps you stay focused on important tasks without unnecessary interruptions.

These 10 tips should help you make the most of your iPhone, boost your productivity, and streamline your daily tasks.

Tech Tip – Pin Websites to the Taskbar Using Microsoft Edge

Posted on by Paul Stradling

Pinning frequently used websites to your taskbar using Microsoft Edge allows you to access them quickly, just like any other app, enhancing your workflow efficiency. Here’s how to do it:

– Launch Microsoft Edge from the Start menu or taskbar.

– Navigate to the Website you want to pin to the taskbar.

– Click on the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner of Edge.

– Select ‘More tools’, then click ‘Pin to taskbar’.

– The website will now appear as an icon on your taskbar for quick access.

Tech Tip – Pin Tabs In Chrome To Save Time And Stay Organised

Posted on by Paul Stradling

If there are websites that you use regularly, pinning tabs is a way to save time, stay organised, and get right to the websites you need every time you open your Google Chrome browser. Here’s how it works:

– Open Chrome and type in the domain of the required website.

– Right-click on the tab the website is open in and select ‘Pin’.

– You’ll see your pinned tab appear at the top of the browser on the left. Pinned tabs are stored on the left of the window and only show the site’s icon, saving space.

– Pinned tabs stay in place, even when you close and reopen Chrome, so it’s just a case of clicking on the pinned tab (top left) to quickly go to the required website.

Tech News : ICO Cookie Warning To Top Websites

Posted on by Paul Stradling

The UK Information Commissioner has warned some of the UK’s top websites that if they don’t offer users fair choices over cookie use, as required by data protection law, they will face enforcement action.

Guidance Not Being Followed 

The Information Commissioner argues that although it has previously issued clear guidance that organisations must make it as easy for users to “Reject All” advertising cookies as it is to “Accept All,” this guidance is still not being followed in many cases.

The Issue 

The issue is that people are concerned about companies using their personal information to target them with ads without their consent. However, some cookies used by websites track users so that they can serve personalised advertising to the user based on their browsing. Therefore, the ICO says that websites must clearly give users the opportunity to reject (or accept / consent to) these types of cookies in order to be compliant with data protection laws.

Stephen Almond, ICO Executive Director of Regulatory Risk, has given examples on the ICO website, of ways that website users can be negatively affected if the top websites they visit aren’t compliant in this way. Mr Almond says: “Gambling addicts may be targeted with betting offers based on their browsing record, women may be targeted with distressing baby adverts shortly after miscarriage and someone exploring their sexuality may be presented with ads that disclose their sexual orientation.”  

Only 30 Days To Comply

The ICO says that it has therefore written to companies running many of the UK’s most visited websites setting out its concerns and giving them 30 days to ensure their websites comply with the law.

Previous Warning 

This latest announcement follows a warning and a paper outlining guidance issued back in August. At the time, the ICO warned designers and developers to stop using harmful design practices that could: “Undermine people’s control over their personal information and lead to worse consumer and competition outcomes.”  

Legislation Changes Concerning 

The current regulations relating to cookie usage are split between General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR). The PECR (known as the “cookie law”) led to the introduction of cookie consent pop-ups on websites.

Concerns Over New Bill 

However, a new data protection and digital information bill is on the way which has concerned privacy groups because:

– It will mean fewer cookie consent pop-ups.

– It will allow some websites to collect information (to improve service and security) without consent.

– It will give ministers the power to add new exceptions to cookie consent requirements.

What Does This Mean For Your Business? 

As the ICO’s Stephen Almond says, “many of the biggest websites have got this right” yet it appears that the Information Commissioner has now run out of patience with companies that haven’t yet decided (for whatever reason) to get to grips with and comply with data privacy regulations.

The ICO’s warning to the UK’s top websites about cookie consent has significant implications for businesses, especially those with high online traffic. This move signals an increased urgency for these websites to comply with data protection laws – 30 days isn’t a long time for big companies to comply, although some would argue they’ve had years already to do so. Emphasising the need for fair-use, transparancy and user-friendly cookie consent mechanisms is, therefore, the drive behind the Information Commissioner’s latest ultimatum with the focus on high-traffic sites. This seems to indicate that businesses with larger user bases now face greater scrutiny, and compliance may now be not only a legal necessity but also crucial for maintaining user trust and brand reputation.

The ICO’s announcement serves as a stark reminder for all businesses about the importance of adhering to data protection regulations. This includes staying informed about impending legislative changes that could affect cookie consent and data collection practices (remember, the new bill will see ministers able to make changes to cookie exceptions). For web designers and developers, this latest announcement underscores the need to prioritise user privacy in their designs, moving away from methods that subtly coerce users into accepting cookies.

With public concern over the use of personal data in advertising, this story is a reminder that businesses must be transparent in their cookie usage and provide clear consent options and that this approach is vital in enhancing the trustworthiness of the site. Overall, the ICO’s warning highlights the necessity for a comprehensive and proactive approach to data privacy and protection, urging businesses to not only comply with current laws but also prepare for future changes in legislation and public expectations.