The top three truths (or myths) behind domain administration.

The internet has brought many wonderful advantages to computer users. Sadly, it has also brought many woes. There are many reasons people should feel intimidated with this online world. Scams, phishing, and other nefarious activities have wreaked havoc on innocent computer users for far too long. Hacking, sabotage, and general site destruction seems to be a horrible and looming threat to any potential domain owner.

All users who would love to be masters of their own web domain should understand there are myths to this feeling of imminent doom.

First, as with most webmasters who run a non-profit or other typical web site, you will most likely not be inundated with legitimate email. If you aren't careful, your Inbox can be inundated with spam, but the same principal applies to your personal email address. If you don't use some precautions with any email address, spammers will torment you. This can be remedied with investing in an email screening service or obtaining a free email account to filter your mail.

This is often somewhat of a let-down to individuals who publish a web site. If you believe that you will achieve instant virtual stardom, you might be disappointed. You have some big competition and visitors are often fickle. You will often need to promote to achieve a certain level of visitors. There are the exceptions who rapidly reach internet fame, but they are literally the only ones. It often takes a webmaster a year or so just to gain a regular audience.

Second, hacking is done on government computers. It is done on financial computers. It is seldom done on typical web sites. Few hackers are bored enough to target regular web sites. Laurawrites.net has been hit once in 2002, but was restored within 24 hours. The attempt was mundane, no files were lost, and no real harm was done. Unless you are conducting financial transactions on your web site or have access to sensitive information, this shouldn't be a great concern.

One of the major benefits of working with a hosting company is the security. It is their responsibility to provide service to their customers and, if your web site has been compromised, their servers are compromised. Not only is your site affected, but also all other customers become potential victims.

Third, the only work required is what you want to invest. Businesses update daily and must improve the web site daily. When you are starting your own web site, you set the hours of work. If you can't afford five hours a day, then five hours a week is fine. There is never a rush and many webmasters find their pages littered with misspellings and coding mistakes of all sorts when they rush.

If you are launching a business, you will need more time to work on your web site. If you already have a business, you can take your time. If your web site is to promote yourself or just your words, you can take your time. Fresh content is important, but unless you are getting many regulars, first-time visitors will not know how recent your work is.

The last thing to bear in mind is your domain is your space. It's your "house." You can publish what you want and say what you want. As long as your material follows your hosting company's terms and conditions, and you don't plagiarize, you are the master of your space.

Happy Building!