Security and State of the Site's Finances

[Dylan Torngate]

Security!

It's a simple one-line phrase issued so many times in Star Trek, but what the heck does it have to do with Shadow Fleet?

As it turns out, quite a bit! You may notice on the site, in your URL bar, a little green padlock. This signifies that Shadow Fleet is now the proud owners of a dedicated SSL Certificate. This is a major upgrade to our site's security, but comes at additional cost.

But what is SSL?

Put simply, an SSL certificate establishes a secure connection between your web browser and the site. This protects important information like passwords and credit card details by adding a layer of encryption when the data is sent.

How does it benefit me?

This certificate allows us to encrypt and secure your data even better than before- Your passwords, usernames, email addresses, and donations will be encrypted, or scrambled, when they are sent across the internet. This protects them from being stolen by the bad guys on the web.

So... what's the catch?

As you may be able to guess, this upgrade costs money. Security is pricy, but we decided it was worth the investment. This means our site finances are relatively LOW, and our server expenses have gone up. (Current estimates are 276 dollars a year to keep the lights on) Cost estimates are found here: https://www.shadowfleet.org/forum/index.php?topic=6454.msg127918

How can I help?

Shadow Fleet relies on its members for donations to keep us running. Our per-month cost is around 23 dollars a month, paid in yearly increments in advance. If there is not enough money available, the server admins must pay out-of-pocket the difference.

To help alleviate this, Shadow Fleet has a Paypal set up that you can donate money to. This paypal is set up exclusively for Shadow Fleet. If you would like to make a donation, you get a very nice looking ribbon to go on your profile, and the satisfaction of knowing that your donation helps us keep the site running. If you would like to donate through another method, get in contact with us and we can try and accommodate!

As we close out the last weeks of 2017, we are kicking off a fleet-wide Donation Drive. As you wrap up your year, spare a thought if you are able to your internet friends here. Any little bit helps to get us to our goals for the year! To donate through Paypal, use the "Donations" link in the top menu bar.

Thank you for reading!

[Dylan Torngate]

Update- 12/22/17

Don't have a Paypal? That's OK! You can request to donate via credit card.

To do so, please get in contact with us and we can guide you through the process.