Email and WordPress Hosting – Do You Know the Difference?

Have you ever received an email that seemed suspicious because of its content or subject matter? You might be wondering whether or not you should pay attention to the email, and if so, what does it mean? Is it safe to click on the link provided in the email, or should you delete it immediately? Let’s take a look at what email and WordPress hosting mean, and how they’re related.

What Is Email?

Put simply, email is the method through which you and I communicate today. It’s both old and new at the same time. Your email client—from Microsoft Outlook to Gmail—depends on your operating system (OS) and web browser for support (if you use a different one, you’ll have to check with the provider as to which features or apps are available). Email clients allow you to create and send messages to groups of people through addresses, or individually to people through a list of contacts. You can also track and manage your email content and senders with powerful features like filters and spam controls. Finally, you can have a look at the sender through the envelope or header information of each email.

What Is WordPress?

WordPress is a flexible, easy-to-use blogging platform that provides you with everything you need to start and manage a website in a matter of minutes. Once you’ve launched your WordPress-powered website, you can immediately begin to build your audience, engage with your readers, and earn money through affiliate marketing, sponsorships, and more.

Why would you want to run a WordPress site? WordPress is free and open-source software, which means it’s available to the public and anyone can download and use it for free. In addition, all you need to get started is a web browser and an Internet connection. You don’t need any special software or apps to create a WordPress blog. In fact, you can use one of the many free web-based editors to launch your blog in literally no time at all.

Why Should You Be Careful With Emails From Strangers?

When it comes to email, we often think about our inboxes, which are typically filled with messages from friends, family, and acquaintances. However, your email client (what you use to read and send emails), your web browser (for support on websites), and even your network interface (whether you’re on WiFi or another type of Internet connection) are all places where you could be exposed to emails from strangers. This is especially concerning if you don’t know the person sending the email, don’t recognize the domain, or if the email content is suspicious in any way. For example, if the email asks you to click on a link and log into an account or to purchase a product, it could be a scam designed to steal your personal information.

Why Should You Be Careful With Websites You Founded By Strangers?

Just because a website is free and open-source software, that doesn’t mean it’s safe to visit or use in any way. There are plenty of fake and malicious WordPress websites floating around out there, designed to deceive and frustrate visitors. If you stumble upon one of these while surfing the web, your safest bet is to delete the site immediately and report the issue to the appropriate authorities. However, if the site looks authentic, but you have some doubts or feel it’s not what it seems, there are a few things you can do to verify its legitimacy:

• Look at the source code. Is it written in plain HTML with no special HTML tags, CSS styles, or JavaScript? If so, then it’s most likely a fake. Even if the site seems flashy and has a decent amount of content, if the code itself is not well-written, it could be a sign that the site is not what it appears to be.
• Check the email addresses. Whenever there’s a website, especially one that’s recently launched, there will usually be a bunch of emails lurking in the inbox of whoever founded it. If you send them an email, they will usually have to confirm it through a link in the email. If they don’t, then there’s a good chance they’re trying to scam you. Never give them your personal information, and don’t click on any links in their emails.
• Look at the domain name. If you see a suspicious domain name hidden among the legitimate websites (like google.com, twitter.com, and wikipedia.org), then it could be a sign that the site is bogus. Even if the site looks legitimate, if the domain is a.com,.net, or.org, it might be a good idea to avoid it.
• Consider the date. If you find a suspicious website with an established history, check the date. Chances are, it was originally online a few years ago and has been repurposed or is a copycat site. While it’s great to see the invention of the internet giving people the opportunity to publish their thoughts, it’s not so great if that same invention is being used to steal your personal information or promote dubious products.
• Look at the comments. If you see any comments that seem suspicious (such as those that are overly friendly or encouraging, or those made by anonymous users), then there’s a good chance the site is not what it appears to be. Never, ever, give out your personal information, or click on any links or products you’re offered while on a blog you’re curious about.
• Remember the OWASP Top 10, and check the site against it. The Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) maintains a top 10 guide that helps you identify and avoid some of the most common web application security threats. Whenever you stumble upon one of these while surfing the internet, make sure you check whether or not your site has been categorized as one of the OWASP threats.

Ultimately, if you’re not sure whether or not you should be concerned about a WordPress site, the answer is most likely you shouldn’t be. If however, you are concerned about the safety of a particular WordPress site, then verify its authenticity through one of the methods listed above. In addition, make sure to examine the site’s source code and check for any signs of malicious activity.