by
dianefmarch
@ 2008-07-08 - 22:16:52
When uploading files to a host to create a website it is important to bear in mind security and copyright issues relating to the material. When using images and sound/video clips it is important to ensure that you have permission of the person/persons who created the media, or that you are able to use the image without it being illegal. Sources should be referenced where applicable.
It is also important to remember that people visiting the website might try and use the media, or reproduce text contained within it so it is important to put a disclaimer on highlighting what they can and can’t reproduce. If people reproduce media that has been copyrighted, or copyrighted media is used without permisson, then the person doing so would be breaking the law.
It is the responsibility of the person uploading the website to the server, and not the server, to ensure that copyright law is not broken or infringed upon.
When uploading files to a web server one should also give consideration to server security. This is to protect the site from people hacking into it and changing or stealing data, or as a method of hacking into files. If a website just contains infomration pages, HTTP will be sufficient.
If the website that you are uploading is an ecommerce site, or one which involves customers transmitting personal/payment details, you should ensure that data transferred between the server and the website users is encrypted, and that the server has a recognised encryption method. A SSL (Secure Socket Layer) Certificate is an example of a well-recognised encryption method whereby transmitted data is broken down and encrypted at several points during the data transfer, and each time is given a unique key. The data is then reassembled by un-coding the keys.
In accordance with the Data Protection Act it is important to remembet that you are responsible for looking after personal data that people transmit to you, so it is important that security is in place to protect yourself and users of the website.
The server should also have a robust firewall and anti-virus software in place to protect and prevent the spread of viruses and hackers.