Articles
Newsletters
| Security and RSS |
 |
 |
 |
| Written by Emily Thomas |
| Saturday, 24 December 2011 09:11 |
|
RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. It is actually a method to distribute headlines, notifications and possibly new content to a large list of people using computer programs that organize the material. This makes it easier for the recipient to scan for material of interest and keep up with unpredictable publication schedules of websites of interest. As the popularity of RSS increases so does the security issues. While publishers are enjoying the wonders of producing real time news to their readers, hackers are keeping an eye on this technology as well. The sad news is that RSS even in the raw form may be vulnerable to hacker attacks. The most vulnerable aspect of RSS is the launching of pod casts. The enclosure field is used to launch the pod cast which is not normally a huge problem as the tag is not seen in the RSS feed, however, the tag is used most commonly to link images, MP3 files, and documents just like is seen with attachments in email messages. RSS feeds can be set up for access by RSS aggregators. RSS aggregator software is loaded onto the subscriber's computer. It then accesses the RSS feeds of websites that the subscriber is interested in and presents that feed to the subscriber in an easily read format. The sad news is that the main reason this can be a security issue is that news aggregators, readers, and pod catchers will automatically download the information found in the enclosure field even if the file is not recognized. This means that you are taking a huge risk of getting a virus. RSS developers are aware of the risks involved with the enclosure field, but they are not working to stop the problem by adding screening to the RSS feed. Screening, authentication, and filtering added to the RSS feed can greatly reduce the risks of dangers to your computer. Updating your website content is valid, as it is broadcast the news about it, but pinging the updating services and search engines to often and with no sense may lead your site to a ban in such services, or to get you flagged as spammer, although you would not need this tag when falling in abuse; your readers will notice it first and would probably decide to revoke their RSS subscription to your news. With RSS your projects can reach easily your target audience, so use it wisely to promote your website and gain visibility in search engines. Do not let abuse stops you in your road to success. About the Author: How Using Mesothelioma Attorney Can Help Someone That Was Exposed to Asbestos A DUI Lawyers - Consider a Few Ways in Which an Attorney Can Help Kindly provided by MoneyHunter.org You are welcome to use this article on your own website, if you include the link just before this text. |
Members : 2608
Content : 2691
Web Links : 1
Content View Hits : 255813
Content : 2691
Web Links : 1
Content View Hits : 255813