How Denial Of Wallet (DOW) Attacks Could Cost You Thousands
Everyone is aware of the threat of DDOS or DOS attacks - flooding your server with spurious requests until it becomes overwhelmed and your website becomes unavailable.
Increasingly, however, we are seeing something known as a Denial-of-Wallet attack. These attacks aim to artificially increase the costs of hosting and server utilization to a point where the client becomes financially exhausted, or a service becomes too expensive to use.
As companies have migrated to cloud infrastructure services such as Amazon and Google, the billing models have shifted from being simply maintenance-based - you pay for your servers and that's it - to pay-as-you-go, where your hosting automatically scales to usage. Cloud hosting is amazing for scalability, but a downside is that costs also increase as server usage does.
An attacker can exploit this by flooding a site or platform with excessive requests, forcing the environment to scale, which drives up costs.
These attacks can be very subtle - leech attacks designed to slowly raise the volume of requests over time so they appear organic - or that take advantage of things like e-mail blasts or other alerts to pile on to the requests in a way that's difficult to detect.
These attacks often make use of a variety of IPs, platforms, and networks simultaneously, making them difficult to detect.
It is possible to defend against these attacks - but it's not as straightforward as defending against a traditional DDOS attack given the subtle nature of these requests.
-Monitoring traffic patterns for anomalies is a good place to start.
-Proactive rate limiting against expensive functions can block the impacts of these attacks, or at least minimize them.
-Cost alerting on scalable services will flag spikes in billing, allowing you to implement preventative measures.
-AI is adept at detection and classification of malicious traffic, and can be utilized to distinguish and sort DOW traffic from normal utilization.
If your hosting costs have increased without a commensurate increase in traffic, it is possible you are experiencing DOW activity.
Technical project planning - why it's important to articulate the difficulty of tasks early on
One thing that often gets overlooked in technical project planning and execution is outlining the expected difficulty of the task ahead of time. This is important for a few reasons - first, it communicates to leadership the reason why a task may take a long time, or that they can expect delays. Secondly, it allows an appropriate level of effort to be applied to the task. Finally, it allows stakeholders to accurately measure progress when compared to other , less intensive tasks.
To successfully assess the difficulty of a task in project management, it's important to define the task clearly with specific objectives and deliverables. Breaking down the task into smaller, manageable components helps in understanding the scope and complexity. Evaluating the resources required, including time, budget, and personnel, is crucial for determining the task's difficulty. Identifying dependencies or prerequisites for the task is essential, as tasks with multiple dependencies are generally more complex and require careful coordination. Assessing potential risks associated with the task is necessary, as high-risk tasks are usually more difficult and require thorough risk management strategies. Estimating the effort required to complete the task, including the time and skills needed, can be done using historical data and expert judgment. Reviewing the technical and operational complexity of the task is important, especially for tasks involving new technologies or processes. Consulting with experts or team members who have experience with similar tasks can provide valuable insights on the task's difficulty. Utilizing project management tools and techniques, such as Gantt charts, PERT diagrams, and task management software, can help visualize and assess the task's complexity. Continuously monitoring the task's progress and making adjustments as needed is vital, as regular reviews can help identify unforeseen difficulties and allow for timely interventions.
The Latest In AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to be a transformative force across various industries, driving innovation and reshaping how we live and work. As we move further into 2025, several key trends are emerging that are set to define the future of AI.
One of the most significant trends is augmented working, where AI is integrated into major software tools to enhance human capabilities. This trend focuses on how humans can work hand-in-hand with AI to augment technical abilities while freeing up time for creative and interpersonal tasks
Another important trend is real-time automated decision-making. Businesses with mature AI strategies are moving towards end-to-end automation of entire business processes. This includes logistics, customer support, and marketing, where algorithms make decisions with minimal human intervention, leading to greater efficiency and quicker responses to changing market conditions
Responsible AI is gaining traction as well. There is a growing awareness of the importance of developing and deploying AI in an ethical, secure, transparent, and reliable manner. This trend is driven by both legislation and a heightened understanding of the potential harms caused by irresponsible AI use, such as bias and hallucination
The evolution of generative AI is another noteworthy trend. Generative AI has reached a phase where it is becoming more efficient and accessible, with open-source models like Meta’s LlaMa family and Stable Diffusion achieving significant advancements. These models are enhanced with fine-tuning techniques and datasets developed by the open-source community, making them more powerful and versatile
Multimodal AI is also on the rise. This trend involves AI systems that can process and understand multiple types of data, such as text, images, and audio, simultaneously. This capability allows for more comprehensive and nuanced AI applications
Model optimization is becoming more accessible, with customized local models and data pipelines enabling more efficient AI deployments. This trend is particularly important for businesses looking to leverage AI without incurring high costs associated with cloud services and GPU shortages
Finally, AI regulation and ethical concerns are becoming more prominent. As AI continues to integrate into various aspects of life, there is an increasing need for regulations that address issues like copyright, privacy, and ethical use. This trend is crucial for ensuring that AI development and deployment are conducted responsibly
Headless WordPress for High-Demand, High Availability Sites
A Word From MIDTC CTO Nick DeLorenzo on Headless WordPress Sites:
One of the biggest challenges facing high-traffic WordPress sites is that if the plugin stack and caching configuration are not well-optimized, they tend to experience continuous performance issues. Additionally, it's extremely common for conventional WordPress sites to experience high load times on the admin when there are many concurrent users in the system generating content. This is something that is inevitably encountered by media sites where conventional WordPress is the primary system of record for content management.
In these situations, I typically recommend that a client utilize what is known as a "Headless" WordPress configuration. In a headless configuration, the WordPress backend is separated from the front-end that renders the site - what this means is that all of the database and CPU resources for the backend are distinct from - and unimpacted by - frontend utilization or traffic - and vice versa.
This has a number of advantages, the most immediate of which is performance. It essentially provides maximum potential performance for the site admin, and the frontend does not have to actively query database resources which may be consumed by backend processes to render content. As a result, every aspect of site performance can be improved.
Another advantage is scalability: you can scale database resources for the backend without needing to scale the webhead or alter configurations on the frontend, or scale frontend resources for greater bandwidth while conserving database resources. For large organizations, this can result in substantial savings.
Headless also secures the backend and database from direct attack vectors commonly found in a WordPress instance, by obfuscating vulnerabilities, and making it possible to lock down APIs.
Finally, it makes it possible to alter feature sets on the admin without impacting the frontend, or implement redesigns that leverage the same backend functionalities. All of these are ideal for large scale organizations.
There are several disadvantages, however:
It's extremely important that any design and functional requirements for headless sites be spelled out well ahead of time. Any feature of a headless implementation needs to be meticulously pre-planned to ensure that what you input on the admin is reflected on the frontend. This means you can't simply slap a plugin in on your headless implementation and suddenly add a new functionality. As a result, new feature sets commonly require development resources.
Additionally, maintenance of headless sites can be complicated for teams that do not have core competencies in either WordPress or the various JavaScript frameworks (for example React, Vue or Angular) commonly used on WordPress sites. If the development teams do not understand the principles or potential issues with headless hosting, it can be challenging to isolate and quickly react to issues.
Finally, it's important that the development teams, users, and executives responsible for running these sites not be siloed, and have a very clear understanding of - again, the requirements, capabilities, advantages, and limitations of headless sites.
Headless sites are ideal for large-scale media organizations and address many of the challenges they encounter with web hosting. But it's important that the organizations in question be prepared to operate these sites, particularly if they have a direct hand in the maintenance of these sites. MIDTC has expertise handling headless WordPress implementations, and we commonly recommend them for organizations that have these unique challenges as they can save a substantial amount of money and offer superior performance.
The Crucial Role of Competent Systems Architecture in Business Success
From decades of experience, we've found that the architecture of a business’s systems can make or break its success. Competent systems architecture is not just about having the latest technology; it’s about creating a robust, scalable, and efficient framework that aligns with the business’s strategic goals. Often, companies select vendors to fulfill a single objective: we want to use a specific platform to send e-mail, another to manage web content, another to handle e-commerce, without considering how they might overlap or integrate. Very frequently, we find that the disconnects between these platforms are where issues start to form and expense is generated. From a philosophical standpoint, when we engage with a customer, our approach emphasizes implementation of rational systems architecture that is stable, easy to understand, and easy to extend. That way, adding or changing platforms generates minimal expense, and the inputs and outputs the platform generates are easy to integrate into the overall platform.
Here are several reasons why competent systems architecture is vital:
1. Scalability and Flexibility
A well-designed system architecture allows a business to scale up or down as needed. This flexibility is crucial in responding to market demands and customer needs. For instance, during peak seasons, a scalable system can handle increased loads without compromising performance1.
2. Integration of Technologies
Digital transformation often involves integrating various technologies and systems. A competent system architecture ensures seamless integration, enabling different components to work together efficiently. This integration reduces complexity and enhances the overall functionality of the business operations1.
3. Operational Efficiency
Efficient systems architecture streamlines processes and reduces complexity. This leads to cost savings and improved productivity. By automating routine tasks and optimizing workflows, businesses can focus on strategic initiatives that drive growth1.
4. Security and Compliance
Robust systems architecture includes comprehensive security measures to protect data and systems from cyber threats. Ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations is also a critical aspect of a competent architecture, safeguarding the business from legal and financial repercussions1.
5. Alignment with Business Goals
A well-structured system architecture aligns IT capabilities with business objectives. This alignment ensures that technological investments support the overall strategy, leading to better decision-making and more effective execution of business plans2.
6. Enhanced Customer Experience
Competent systems architecture can significantly improve the customer experience by providing reliable and fast services. Whether it’s through a user-friendly website, a responsive customer service platform, or efficient transaction processing, a solid architecture enhances customer satisfaction and loyalty1.
7. Future-Proofing the Business
As technology evolves, businesses need to adapt quickly to stay competitive. A flexible and forward-thinking systems architecture allows for easy updates and integration of new technologies, ensuring the business remains agile and future-proof1.
How Business Intelligence Platforms Generate Context for Data
In addition to providing simple visibility and readability into an organization's metrics, a BI platform serves the important purpose of generating context for that data.
For example: if a department is over budget, in a well-built BI platform, it's possible to drill down and see the cause of that overage - but it's also possible to see the secondary or tertiary impact throughout the company. A BI platform also allows the user to track trends that may not be visible at a lower level, and identify opportunities or remedies. Finally, a BI platform and the context it generates helps combat siloing, by helping stakeholders to understand the obstacles, opportunities, or successes being encountered by other areas of the company.
What is Data Context?
Data context refers to the background information and relevant details that surround and describe a dataset. This includes metadata, which provides answers to questions such as who collected the data, what the data is about, when and where it was collected, and why and how it was collected1. By understanding the context, businesses can better interpret the data and derive more valuable insights.
How BI Platforms Generate Context
- Metadata Management: BI platforms manage metadata, which is crucial for understanding the context of data. Metadata includes information about data sources, data lineage, and data quality, helping users trust and understand the data they are analyzing1.
- Data Integration: BI platforms integrate data from multiple sources, such as internal databases, external data feeds, and third-party APIs. This integration creates a more comprehensive view of the information, allowing for better contextualization2.
- Data Visualization: Visualization tools within BI platforms help users see data in the context of different dimensions, such as time, geography, and business units. This makes it easier to identify patterns, trends, and anomalies3.
- Advanced Analytics: BI platforms leverage advanced analytics, including machine learning and artificial intelligence, to analyze data in various contexts. These technologies can uncover hidden relationships and provide deeper insights3.
- User Collaboration: BI platforms often include collaboration features that allow users to share insights and discuss data within the context of their specific roles and responsibilities. This collaborative approach ensures that data is interpreted correctly and used effectively across the organization4.
Benefits of Contextualized Data
- Improved Decision-Making: With a clear understanding of the context, decision-makers can make more informed and accurate decisions, leading to better business outcomes4.
- Enhanced Data Quality: Contextual data helps in tracking data quality and integrity, ensuring that the data used for analysis is reliable and trustworthy1.
- Increased Efficiency: By providing context, BI platforms reduce the time and effort required to interpret data, allowing users to focus on deriving insights and taking action2.
Conclusion
Business Intelligence platforms play a crucial role in generating context for data, transforming raw information into valuable insights. By managing metadata, integrating data from multiple sources, providing visualization tools, leveraging advanced analytics, and fostering user collaboration, BI platforms enable organizations to make data-driven decisions that align with their strategic goals.
Automating Common Customer Service Tasks
Customer service has become increasingly challenging for companies, particularly those in the media space. Staffing challenges, keeping up with the latest technologies and services, and the need to be available at any hour of the day all compound the challenge.
Today, many simple customer service tasks can be automated, allowing your team to focus on more challenging calls and freeing up resources. For example, let's say a customer needs to update their address - this is something a bot can easily do, and likely more quickly than a human. If a human is needed, the bot can generate a ticket, appropriately tagged and flagged, or queue a customer service representative after it collects all of the necessary information from a customer.
One service MIDTC provides is the implementation and automation of client and customer service workflows, both internal and external. We can connect chat bots with both your ticketing and service platforms, allowing you to streamline your operations.
Below are some advantages of customer service automation:
1. 24/7 Availability
Customer service bots provide round-the-clock support, ensuring that customers can get assistance at any time of the day or night. This eliminates the need for customers to wait for business hours to resolve their issues, leading to quicker resolutions and higher customer satisfaction1.
2. Handling Repetitive Tasks
Bots can handle repetitive and mundane tasks such as answering frequently asked questions, processing orders, and providing product recommendations. This automation frees up human agents to focus on more complex and high-value tasks, thereby increasing overall productivity2.
3. Instant Responses
Unlike human agents, bots can process and respond to multiple queries simultaneously. This capability significantly reduces wait times for customers, providing them with instant support and quick resolutions to their problems3.
4. Efficient Ticket Routing
Customer service bots can efficiently route and triage customer inquiries to the appropriate departments or human agents. By collecting preliminary information and understanding the nature of the issue, bots ensure that queries are directed to the right place quickly, saving valuable time for both customers and support teams4.
5. Cost Savings
While there is an initial investment in setting up customer service bots, they can lead to significant cost savings in the long run. By automating routine tasks and reducing the need for a large customer support team, companies can lower their operational costs5.
6. Data Collection and Personalization
Bots can collect and analyze customer data to provide personalized experiences. By understanding customer preferences and past interactions, bots can offer tailored solutions and recommendations, enhancing the overall customer experience and saving time in troubleshooting5.
User Experience: The Key To Conversions
A consistent user experience is extremely important. If your site or software behaves in an unintuitive or unusual way, it will turn users off of the site, shake their confidence, or cause them to abandon the site or the transaction. At best, it could result in customer service issues, and at worst, it could cost you money. Having a consistent, logical, and simple flow for everything that happens on the site is crucial to ensuring that you're getting maximum ROI on your technology investments and ensures that readers will keep coming back for more.
For example, if a customer purchases a digital product, they expect to have access to it immediately. If they make a payment, it is a first principle that they receive immediate confirmation of the payment and see the change reflected on their account.
A good practice is to go through the site and any perspective design changes you make as though you're a customer, and note where friction or unusual behavior is encountered.
Below are some key reasons why you want to keep these factors in mind:
1. Enhances Usability
When UI elements are consistent, users can easily predict how the interface will behave. This predictability reduces the learning curve and makes it easier for users to navigate and interact with the product. For example, if buttons, icons, and navigation menus are uniform across different sections of an app, users won’t have to relearn how to use the interface each time they switch contexts1.
2. Builds Trust and Reliability
A consistent UI/UX design fosters a sense of reliability and trust. When users know what to expect, they feel more in control and confident in using the product. This reliability is crucial for retaining users and encouraging them to engage more deeply with the product1.
3. Reinforces Brand Identity
Consistency in design elements such as colors, typography, and imagery helps reinforce brand identity. A cohesive look and feel make the product more memorable and recognizable, which can enhance brand loyalty. Users often perceive products with a consistent brand presentation as more professional and trustworthy2.
4. Improves Accessibility
Consistent design practices can significantly improve accessibility. By adhering to established design patterns and guidelines, designers can ensure that their products are usable by a broader audience, including those with disabilities. This inclusivity is not only ethically important but also expands the potential user base2.
5. Reduces Development Time and Costs
Investing in consistent UI/UX design upfront can save time and resources in the long run. By developing reusable design patterns and systems, teams can streamline the development process and reduce the need for extensive troubleshooting and redesigns. This efficiency can lead to faster time-to-market and lower overall costs2.
6. Enhances User Satisfaction
Ultimately, a consistent UI/UX design leads to higher user satisfaction. When users have a positive experience, they are more likely to continue using the product, recommend it to others, and provide positive feedback. This satisfaction is a key driver of product success and can lead to increased user retention and growth3.
Properly Scoping Development Projects: It's Critical
A common issue we encounter when enlisted by clients who are unfamiliar with development operations is improper scoping of the task. Simply put, the stakeholders are unaware of mission-critical deliverables that the project will need to complete. This can happen for a variety of reasons depending on the organization. Heavily siloed organizations often don't have a large degree of interdepartmental visibility. Sometimes management doesn't have an idea of all of the operational touchpoints of the platform or task. Improper scoping of a project often leads to delays in getting started or finishing a project, and there are ways ensure that a task or request is properly scoped before it is executed. The best way is a thorough requirements-gathering session, where "user stories" are gathered and then distilled into deliverables. A user story examines how each type of user will utilize the platform, what tasks they will perform, how they will perform the task, and the output that is expected. Then developers and stakeholders will collaborate to turn these into action items to be addressed.
1. Clarity and Focus
Defining the project scope provides a clear understanding of what the project aims to achieve. It outlines the specific objectives, deliverables, and boundaries, ensuring that all team members and stakeholders are on the same page. This clarity helps in maintaining focus on the project’s goals and prevents deviation from the intended path1.
2. Resource Management
A well-defined scope allows for better planning and allocation of resources, including time, budget, and personnel. By understanding the project’s requirements and constraints, project managers can allocate resources more efficiently, avoiding overallocation or underutilization2.
3. Risk Mitigation
Proper scoping helps identify potential risks and challenges early in the project lifecycle. By anticipating these issues, project managers can develop strategies to mitigate risks, ensuring that the project stays on track and within budget3.
4. Preventing Scope Creep
Scope creep refers to the uncontrolled expansion of project scope without corresponding adjustments to time, cost, and resources. It is a common issue that can lead to project delays, increased costs, and reduced quality. A clearly defined scope helps prevent scope creep by setting clear boundaries and ensuring that any changes are properly evaluated and approved2.
5. Improved Communication
A well-defined project scope facilitates better communication among team members, stakeholders, and clients. It ensures that everyone understands the project’s objectives, deliverables, and constraints, reducing misunderstandings and conflicts4.
6. Enhanced Project Planning
Scoping is the foundation of effective project planning. It provides the necessary information to develop detailed project plans, schedules, and budgets. With a clear scope, project managers can create realistic timelines and cost estimates, improving the overall planning process1.
7. Quality Assurance
By defining the scope, project managers can establish clear quality standards and criteria for project deliverables. This ensures that the final product meets the required specifications and satisfies stakeholder expectations3.
8. Stakeholder Satisfaction
Properly scoping a project helps manage stakeholder expectations by clearly defining what will be delivered and what is out of scope. This transparency builds trust and ensures that stakeholders are satisfied with the project’s outcomes4.
Conclusion
In summary, properly scoping a project is crucial for its success. It provides clarity, improves resource management, mitigates risks, prevents scope creep, enhances communication, supports effective planning, ensures quality, and satisfies stakeholders. By investing time and effort in defining the project scope, project managers can set the foundation for a successful and well-executed project.
E-Commerce: Publishers need to pay attention
One of the most baffling trends we see in clients looking for monetization options is having either no eCommerce on their sites or a very fragmented eCommerce experience and poor execution. For example, most publishers sell subscriptions on their website. But few directly integrate it into their sites, instead relying on third-party subdomains which reduce the search visibility of their products. The integration into the website is often some cumbersome process that doesn't rely on APIs and doesn't implement single-sign-on.
And if they offer other products, for example classifieds, event tickets, obituaries, they're asking the customer to sign into a separate system. If they have customer self-service, it's yet another system. Then they have to spend time and money to integrate all of these, maintain separate workflows, separate processing providers, etc. If you consider the implications of this for the customer, it's a horrific experience. Imagine you want to buy something from an online store but need a different account for every product. Consolidating the experience for customers is vital, not only for their sake, but for yours: having a hub and spoke arrangement where the site is the primary touchpoint and controls the sign-on process is more reliable, more secure, it's a better user experience, and when it comes to customer data, having all of the context: i.e. this person is a subscriber who buys classified ads, is hugely important. It's more cost effective, it makes it easier to future-proof your sites, and it's more logical for end users.
The primary strength of a publisher is it's brand and topical authority. In this they have a huge advantage over many other businesses, but they are rarely able to leverage it effectively because they do not consider the architectural or strategic implications of their overall eCommerce presence, instead opting to simply have a presence in a given vertical.
Below is a summary of the advantages of utilizing eCommerce, and having it integrated directly into your websites.
1. Diversified Revenue Streams
- Direct Sales: By selling products directly through their platforms, publishers can create a new revenue stream. This could include merchandise, digital products, or even subscription services1.
- Affiliate Marketing: Integrating e-commerce allows publishers to promote products relevant to their content and earn commissions on sales2.
2. Enhanced User Experience
- Seamless Shopping: E-commerce integration ensures a smooth and cohesive shopping experience for users. This reduces friction and cart abandonment rates, leading to higher conversion rates1.
- Personalized Recommendations: Leveraging user data, publishers can offer personalized product recommendations, enhancing user satisfaction and engagement2.
3. Improved Data Management
- Centralized Data: Integrating e-commerce platforms with existing systems like CRM and inventory management ensures that all data is centralized and up-to-date. This reduces errors and improves efficiency3.
- Data-Driven Decisions: Access to comprehensive data allows publishers to make informed decisions about product offerings, marketing strategies, and customer engagement2.
4. Increased Customer Loyalty
- Consistent Branding: Offering products directly through their own platforms helps publishers maintain consistent branding and build stronger relationships with their audience3.
- Exclusive Offers: Publishers can create exclusive offers and discounts for their readers, fostering a sense of community and loyalty2.
5. Operational Efficiency
- Automated Processes: E-commerce integration automates many processes, such as order processing, inventory updates, and customer data management. This reduces the need for manual intervention and minimizes errors1.
- Scalability: Integrated systems can easily scale as the business grows, allowing publishers to expand their product offerings and reach new markets without significant additional investment3.
6. Competitive Advantage
- Staying Relevant: In a competitive digital market, offering e-commerce options can set publishers apart from those who rely solely on traditional revenue models2.
- Adapting to Trends: E-commerce integration allows publishers to quickly adapt to changing market trends and consumer behaviors, ensuring they remain relevant and competitive3.