So you run your venture online and has set up a website for the purpose! But wait – have you taken appropriate steps to secure your website? Hacking is regularly performed through automated scripts to exploit websites not only to steal data, but also utilize your server for mining or serving illegal files. Although reputed website hosting agencies like MangoMatter has a decent page for WP hosting, you may want to follow the below tips to secure your site.
Update the software
It might seem apparent, but keeping all the software updated is paramount in safeguarding your website from the prying eyes of hackers. This is applicable to the server operating system as well as any software that you might be using on your site such as CMS and/or forum. Hackers are always hunting for security holes in the software. So be mindful of this point and keep all of the software updated.
Keep an eye on SQL injection
When a hacker uses a URL parameter or web form field to access or modify your data, you run the risk of SQL injection attempts. In case of a standard SQL, inserting rogue code without your knowledge is easy. When this happens, your information could be lost or deleted from your site. You may avoid such a threat by using parameterized queries, which is pretty simple to implement.
Check passwords
Everybody knows that they must use complex passwords. However, this does not mean that they always do. You should insist on strong password practices for users for protecting their data and accounts. It is recommended to enforce password requirements like minimum eight characters, inclusion of a number and an uppercase. In this way, you can provide enhanced security to users.
Use HTTPS
What is HTTPS? It is a security protocol used over the World Wide Web. HTTPS ascertains that your users are communicating with the expected server. It also ensures that no one else could intercept and alter the content they are viewing in transit. Using HTTPS is neither tricky nor costly now as it was earlier. So make sure you utilize this innovative protocol for your site.
Do not allow file uploads
Allowing file uploads could be a big web security risk for your site. Any uploaded files, no matter how innocent, they seem, can contain scripts that could completely open up your site on execution. So disallow file uploads. In case file uploads by users are necessary, use only secure transport methods like SSH or SFTP.
Get security tools for your site
Once you are done with the above steps, you may want to check your site security. You can do this with site security tools, also called as penetration testing. A number of security tools exist to help out, and this includes OpenVas, Netsparker and others.
Safeguarding your site from hackers and intruders is imperative to ensure smooth functioning of your venture on the net. Although any web hosting service provides basic security, you need to take appropriate steps to boost the security levels to deter hacking attempts and protect user data. So adhere to the above tips to secure your site and say goodbye to security issues.
