Phoenix AZ web design blog

Is that Domain name renewal legit or a scam?

Is that Domain name renewal legit or a scam?

  • By Ian Shere , on August 02 2021 10:31
  • 2 min read

main name renewal scams Questions... Where was your domain name registered, when is it due for renewal, and about how much should you pay for a 1 year renewal (generally)? If you don't know you're a prime candidate for a domain renewal scam.

What's that?

There are many nefarious "companies" (loose use of the word there) who send out fake "Domain Name Renewal" notices. There are generally 2 types - one claiming your domain is expiring and a second that looks, at first glance like the former but is actually for Search Engine submission services. But they're all worded in such a way that, if you don't know, or don't read them properly, they sound like the end of the world (at least the end of yours!). I've posted an example here that just turned up in my mailbox this week. There are many more examples - I did an image search on Google for some - it's here https://bit.ly/37cFqWo. Now, what did your Mom tell you? Don't to talk to strangers and don't open links you don't know! :-) So I won't blame you if you don't... just go to Google and search for "domain renewal scam" and then
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Using copyrighted image without consent scam

  • By Ian Shere , on June 25 2020 15:19
  • 2 min read

I'd hoped this may have died and gone away on its own, but it seems that "Melanie" (or whoever she or he really is) is a persistent little scammer that's working hard to screw you over. I've seen this email appear in various clients' inboxes. Always exactly the same format with the site URL changed and he/she uses slightly different names, but the scam is always the same. Get some poor sucker to click on a link to "check out a document listing supposed links to images which are copyrighted". There's a linking to a Google Site. I don't know what's at the end of that, and, frankly, I don't care nor have the time to bother finding out. But you can guarantee it is NOT a list of copyrighted image you are using illegally.

Shock! My site is using copyrighted images illegally!

Don't get me wrong, using copyrighted image without permission is WRONG! 100%. And it CAN cost you money if you do it and get caught. That's why we are carefully about where we source images to ensure they're legit.

But back to the email...

It starts off legitimately sounding. Some poor, hard-working photographer is upset that YOU used

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WCAG2.0 - what is it and should you care?

  • By Ian Shere , on May 28 2020 10:55
  • 6 min read

1990 Americans with Disabilities Act & your website 

We've probably all heard the stories of brick-and-mortar businesses running foul of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and what it meant to them as businesses both financially and disruptively. Now it's coming to a website near you - maybe even yours!

The ADA - a quick history 

Along with it's companion, the 2008 Americans with Disabilities Amendment Act, the legislation was enacted to address equal access for all people regardless. However, due to the early adoption date, the original Act, and, to a some degree, the subsequent Amendment, did little to give guidelines on adoption in the World Wide Web (WWW).

The Act is comprised five Titles, with Title III (Public Accommodations) applying to website design. This title prohibits private places of public accommodation from discriminating against individuals with disabilities. Your website is considered a "private place" which offers "public accommodation". What this means is your website is privately owned and managed (private place), yet anyone who has a computer can get access to it (public accommodation).

The penalties for non-compliance with the provisions of the Act can be quite severe. Under Title III the maximum penalty for a first offence is

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