Tips To Protect Your Website From Hackers
How can you protect your website from hacking?
There are many reasons to do this. Protect your website against hackers. You would most likely have been hacked if you own an eCommerce website. Even simple websites are targeted by hackers, and it is not difficult to guess why. Website security is essential.
Why do Hackers Hack Websites?
- Your website can be defaced
- Your website should be taken offline
- Your website data could be stolen – financial records, user databases, and any other proprietary information. Malicious software can capture credit card details instantly.
- hold your website to ransom (ransomware attack)
- Use your server to send spam webmail
- to use your server to serve illegal files
- Use your server to create a botnet to attack distributed denial of service (DDoS).
- Use your server to mine Bitcoins
Your website could be hacked and have serious consequences. Hackers could use the stolen data to sell it on the dark internet or for other malicious purposes. Attack-for-hire is another option to get the malware required to compromise websites. Even those with no Internet skills can attack your website and compromise it.
Ten Security Tips to Protect Your Website from Hackers
- Software Updated
- Protection Against Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) Attacks
- SQL injection attacks
- Double validation of form data
- Upload your Policy
- Host a website
- Firewall
- Separate database server
- Secure HTTPS
- Password Policy
Website Security Tips
Software Update
The operating system software, any other software (e.g. a content management software), and the antimalware solution must all be kept up to date with the most recent patches and definitions. You cannot control the software that your hosting provider keeps updated. It is important to choose a hosting company that has a good reputation for providing security.
Protection Against Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) Attacks
Hackers could inject malicious JavaScript onto your pages and modify the content. Users who access your web pages would be able to steal their login cookies and credentials. You must not allow any injection of active JavaScript content into your web pages, to ensure website security.
SQL injection attacks
Parameterized queries should be used only. Avoid Transact SQL, which can allow hackers to insert rogue codes.
Double validation of form data
It is recommended to do both server-side and browser validation. This two-level validation would prevent malicious scripts from being inserted through data accept form fields.
Upload your Policy
Depending on your business requirements, you might need to allow website visitors/users to upload files and images to your webserver. Hackers can upload malicious content to your website. In reality, the image could be malware (double-extension attacks). Uploading files must be allowed only with extreme caution. To ensure security on your website, you must delete executable permissions to the file.
Host a website
Hosting your website with a provider will take care of security on the web server, which can help you avoid a lot of security risks.
Firewall
You must use a firewall to protect your webserver and limit outside access to ports 80 and 443.
Separate database server
It is possible to afford separate web and database servers. This will provide better data security.
Secure HTTPS
Use HTTPS on your entire website. This will ensure users don’t communicate with fraudulent servers.
Password Policy
Adopt strict password policies and make sure they are adhered to. All users should be educated about the importance of creating strong passwords. Use at least 8 characters, including a mixture of numbers and special characters. Avoid using dictionary words. Stronger website security is achieved if the password is longer.
You should always keep passwords encrypted if you store them for user authentication. To make your passwords more secure, use a hashing algorithm and salt it.
Website Security Tools
These tools are essential as it is impossible to manually monitor and manage security on websites. There are many paid and free tools. Further, there is the option of using tools that you can manage, as well as, tools being offered as Security-as-a-Service (SaaS) models.