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Business Roundup Week Ending July 12
July 12, 2024
Written By Nathan Ingram
10 Billion Reasons to Strengthen Your Agency’s Security Practices
On July 4, a file containing almost 10 billion stolen passwords was leaked on a popular hacking forum.
Called RockYou2024.txt, the file includes credentials from old and new data breaches of over 4,000 databases.
The sheer number of passwords involved will certainly contribute to a cascade of data breaches, financial frauds, and identity thefts.
Cybernews has created a free RockYou2024 Leaked Password Checker to verify whether your passwords have been exposed.Users should immediately reset their most important passwords, enable multi-factor authentication, and utilize password manager software.
You’re already using complex, unique passwords stored in a secure password manager and implementing 2FA, right? Are your clients?
In my agency, we use a few different AI tools routinely as part of our processes. We love AI for many reasons.
But there’s a hidden downside to all that AI power: Power.
AI systems require significantly more computing resources than traditional online services, consuming 100-1000 times more energy.
For instance, Google’s total energy consumption doubled between 2019 and 2023, partly due to their use of AI.
Data centers for AI also consume millions of gallons of water through evaporation, usage that will only grow as AI adoption increases.
Some fear that AI data centers could eventually compete with local communities for power.
Since it’s becoming nearly impossible to avoid interacting with AI tools online, companies need to develop a strategy to economize power consumption.
Learn how AI is straining local resources in ways you might not expect and some possible solutions in Wired’s recent article .
Preparing for the New Era of Web Accessibility in Europe
The European Accessibility Act is EU that aims to standardize accessibility laws in EU member countries.The directive took effect in April 2019 but becomes enforceable in June of 2025.
It impacts web development agencies, emphasizing the need for accessible design practices and ongoing monitoring to ensure compliance and reach a broader audience.
E-commerce is one of a handful of areas specifically noted in the Act in which accessibility is mandatory.
Accessibility statements will also be required on European websites, demonstrating compliance efforts.
In a recent episode of WP Tavern’s Jukebox Podcast , host Nathan Wrigley interviewed Rian Rietveld , a web accessibility specialist from the Netherlands. This one is definitely worth a listen.
Worth a Look
