Insufficient web hosting security has been a subject of concern lately as successful online security breaches, like the widely publicized HeartBleed bug, have made waves across the media. Hackers are becoming increasingly advanced, and small businesses and major corporations alike are the prized targets of hackers aiming to exploit sensitive data. Consider Target’s security and payments system, which was compromised days before Thanksgiving 2013. The breach affected the company’s 1,797 U.S. stores and resulted in the theft of over 40 million credit cards.
Nearly half a year later, Target is still struggling to regain public confidence and boost sales. CEO Greg Steinhafle stepped down, but that didn’t stop consumers from abandoning the retail giant. In the fourth quarter of 2013, Target experienced a mammoth 46 percent drop in profits compared to the year prior. Year-to-year comparisons are still down as a result of the breach.
