PCI Compliance Project
Testing PCI compliance for Plesk control panel using multiple vendors to find the most reliable, cost-effective solution. Goal: identify best scanning tools and establish procedures for out-of-the-box PCI-compliant servers.
Writing
Thoughts on technology, business, and the gap between them.
Credit Card Data Still Unsafe Despite PCI
Major companies passed PCI compliance yet suffered massive data breaches. PCI certification is just a starting point—small businesses must encrypt data end-to-end, limit access, and maintain secure systems to truly protect customer information.
Managed Dedicated Servers
rackAID partners with SoftLayer to offer managed dedicated servers, combining reliable hardware with expert support. Features include 24-hour deployment, KVM remote access, VPN security, and no hardware markup—just transparent management fees.
How to Stop Email Backscatter
Experiencing hundreds of bounce messages for emails you never sent? You're likely a backscatter victim—where spammers forge your address as the reply-to field. Here's how to identify and minimize the problem.
Plesk not Showing All Domains?
Missing Plesk domains? They're still there! The search box above the domain listing saves the last query, showing only filtered results. Simply click "Show All" to the right of the search box to restore your complete domain list.
Webhosting Magazine 2007 Award for Best Support
rackAID wins Web Host Magazine's 2007 Editor's Choice Award for Excellent Linux Server Support. We're expanding in 2008 with new staff, products, and services to deliver faster response times and cutting-edge solutions to our clients.
Hackers use Cron to Re-Hack Your Server
Hackers are using cron jobs to automatically relaunch malicious processes like IRC bots on compromised servers. Even after killing these processes, they respawn within minutes. Solution: Add the apache user to /etc/cron.deny to prevent this persistence technique.
Memory Mirroring to the Rescue
When a server crashed due to bad RAM with no replacement available, memory mirroring came to the rescue. By enabling RAID-like protection for memory, the system ran stable with half capacity until proper repairs could be made.
Email Bac’n is not Spam
Bac'n is email you want but don't prioritize—like LinkedIn notifications. Combat inbox clutter with unsubscribe days, role-based accounts, and checking email just three times daily to boost productivity.
Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Ensim Goodbye
SWsoft acquired Ensim but likely won't support it long-term. Time to migrate to Plesk, which offers superior quality and easier maintenance. Migration is manageable for most sites, though custom scripts may need tweaking.