So where has it been?
I started the Internet Danger Report more than a year ago as a way to share information about a subject I had become interested in as a result of a direct encounter with a criminal hacker.
I chose Wordpress.com to host the blog for two reasons. One, it offered the best software platform that I was able to find, and two, it hosts blogs for free.
Free is good, right?
Well, not always.
The one downside with free blog hosting arrangements is that you give up control. The host can shut you down for any reason at any time and you have no recourse whatsoever. That’s true of any of the free blog hosts. Just read their Terms of Service documents.
Here’s what happened to me.
On July 5 I tried to log in to post a new article and was met with the message that “This blog has been archived or suspended for a violation of our Terms of Service.” I immediately sent an email to the Wordpress support address, requesting information about the nature of the alleged violation and instructions on how to correct it. After 3 days and no response, I wrote again. I wrote a third time a few days later.
I have never received a response.
I have poured over the Wordpress Terms of Service trying to figure out what I might have done or said that could be interpreted as a violation. But I can’t find a thing.
Something I said must have offended somebody.
Bottom line: I can heartily recommend the Wordpress blog software. It’s available free from leading web hosting providers. But I strongly advise against putting yourself at the mercy of Wordpress censors, or those of any other company that offers free blog hosting. Get your own server. There are some excellent hosting services out there that charge as little as $5 per month.
Going forward, I plan to post entries more frequently than has been my habit. There are many dangers on the Internet, with all sorts of daily developments that you should know about in order to protect your privacy, your personal assets, your business, and your family. I collect stories from a variety of excellent sources, and my plan is to post recaps of the most interesting and appropriate ones, with links to the sources. I’ll write longer articles as the spirit moves me.
Stay safe out there on the information superhighway.