Hi All,
I started a vent recently about how I stumbled on a download page for a new product by a Interent marketing "guru" and how I was snubbed off at first.
Then, once I showed screenshot proof of what I was able to access just by a simple Google search, how they Thanked me several times for alerting them.

Since that time I have been doing random tests of some sites and I'm amazed at how many people don't realize their premium stuff is out there for anyone to grab for free.

Well, as I was drafting a post to explain how to fix this, one of my fav bloggers did it for me.

Pat Flynn from smartpassiveincome.com has detailed exactly how to handle this situation before it happens and after.

Check it out here and don't let it happen to you!

~C

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~Christina|BD Mag|VOSTeam

Thanks for the link Christina!

It's important to remember to have an index file in your directory, as well as password protecting it. They both help keep people from being able to search through your folders using a search engine.

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Katie B.
Helping Hands VA- Coming Soon!

As always Christina, thank you for the very timely information. I was just working on getting ready to post premium content on my site and didn't know where to start with the security.

Thank you again for saving me from doing so much leg work or losing money! VAF and the VAs here are the best.

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Cindy
www.eoseasy.comThe Chrysalis Plan

I read this and immediately thought of you. You should still write something on it. With your knowledge, it will be a well received article.

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

Thanks Lee,

Yeah, I was thinking about it. My problem is getting around actually telling people how to do the right google searches. That would be like giving everyone the keys to the candy store. I like to believe most would only use it to protect themselves but....

Something to think about :-)

~C

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~Christina|BD Mag|VOSTeam

I think it would be fine if you included that information in your article, as long as it's clear that it's for testing your own site's security.

I came across one site the other day that had lists of search queries you could do to look through a website's directories, and then they ended the article by giving their blessing to go through unprotected directories because "they deserved it for not protecting their folders." They got a lot of comments from people calling them out on that article, and for good reason.

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Katie B.
Helping Hands VA- Coming Soon!

Quote:

My problem is getting around actually telling people how to do the right google searches. That would be like giving everyone the keys to the candy store. I like to believe most would only use it to protect themselves but....

Christina, I look at it this way. This is like a virus and you need certain information to get rid of the virus. Now that said, most of the people who would use it for their own gain probably already know how to do it.

Just my opinion.

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Ruth M Callejas, Lead Consult Admin & More
Taking Care Of The 'To Do' List, So You Can Take Care Of Business