All heroics can be done by daily basis, on the fleet you can get some dailies for flashpoints, then at 50lvl there are daily quest on end game planets.
Failed how? Its not working as intended or ppl were scammed regardles?
If you are talking about events like PSN hacks, and so on, let me tell you it had nothing to do with ssl certificates on websites. It was hacking directly to companies servers (databases) and geting account informations. If someone has skill to do that kind of hacking they dont bother to send you email to get your account credentials.
First of all you should try to max your gear for your lvl, for example by buying commendations gear from Coruscant.
Second, you should use your companion to help you. (you can change his gear too).
First of all, legit swtor sites (account related) has https layer, and you can check certificate details (EA ownership), so no matter where link in email will redirect you, you can always check that. Scammers are unable to forge signed certificate.
Nope they are just for your group mates. Companions are kinda stupid, they wont for example attack cc'ed mob with their single target skill, but they often use some aoe skill on other mob just to "wake" cc'ed one :/
You can summon her back, by pressing that circle thing on bottom left of your screen, or by pressing "N" and then little arrow thing next to your companion portrait.