CGI scripting through my hosting co. 1

[JennyW]

Hiee,
I’m new to cgi scripting. Very new.

If I use the “mailto:” command on my website along with cgi scripting and I run the cgi through my hosting company, then do I need to worry about my visitors sending me corrupted data through email?
Is it generally safe doing my cgi programming through the company that will host my website?

Thanks for your time,
Jenny

 

[goBoating]

Hey Jenny,
If you get an email which is the result of someone using your <A HREF=&quot;mailto:...,
then, it is an email. Any text in the email is fairly innocuous, but, any attachments could be dangerous, just like any other email.

Is it generally safe doing my cgi programming through the company that will host my website?
You will need a web server somewhere. If you have a hosting company that allows you to write CGI on their box, then they are the ones taking the chance. They are the ones that own and administer the machine that would be put at risk by poor quality CGI code. I don't see how it would be unsafe for you. That having been said(typed), you should be nice to them, also. There is always risk to a machine doing CGI work. Just try to be consciencious about making sure you code works before you put it on their box. That goes back to the idea of getting Apache running locally so you can develop and test you code thoroughly. I keep coming back to that, don't I. Sorry.

HTH

keep the rudder amid ship and beware the odd typo

 

[JennyW]

Hey goboating,
Thanks for the info. again. You’re a great help. You’re answering a lot of helpful questions for someone who is new to the whole cgi world.

Thanks again,
Jenny