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Top 10 Practices To Follow For Website Security

Website Security comes under the purview of Cybersecurity. It’s about securing the website from possible attacks by hackers or cybercriminals. Because according to a report, hackers attack 50,000 websites each day. And in that, 43% of victims are small businesses. So you can see hackers have a wide range of targets starting from individuals, small businesses to big corporations, MNCs, government organizations, etc. Anyone could become the victim of these cybercriminals. We have to implement the best security measures and protocols to fend off such attempts in the first place and have a solid contingency plan to deal with them. So let’s discuss the common website security issues and then dive into website security measures that we can take up.

Some of the Most Common Website Security Issues

Malware

Malware is a malicious software program built intentionally to damage computers, websites, networks, and other systems. Malware is the biggest threat to website security. According to a study conducted some years back, Cybercriminals create and release 230,000 malware samples each day. Malware gets into the systems using different methods like in an email, files attached to be downloaded, etc. 

They serve different purposes, some monitor activities, leak confidential data, etc. Once this gets into a system, it could spread across the server, or network, etc. 

 

DDoS attacks

It is one of the most common attacks that a website will find. Distributed Denial of Services is an attack that hackers conduct by bumping up traffic by targeting it with spoofed IP addresses. The result of this is that a registered user or a legit one cannot access the website or its resources. Because the website will crash with such huge traffic that it doesn’t render the essential resources. These attacks make the website go extremely slow or crash down.

Spam

Hackers play around the website by placing a spam message that tempts the user to know what’s inside. They get tempted and click on the message or offer displayed thinking that the original website had put up this. It compromises his safety unless the user has an anti-virus to fend off the attack. These are other kinds of website security issues, which website owners had to deal with. 

There are many other kinds of security issues that websites will be facing on an everyday basis. Well, now we will discuss the various practices that could be implemented to ensure the security of a website. Take up the top IT Security Course to master digital security. 

 

Update Software as soon as Possible

Websites are built using various tools. These tools ensure that websites function properly. These tools are plugins, WordPress software, Content Management Systems (CMS), among many others. So updating them means keeping the security measures uptight. Get in-depth understanding of these tools through IT Cyber security certification course.

With the software update, you will not only be able to fix glitches and bugs but also install the latest security measures and patches. It will fill a loophole that hackers will try to take advantage of that is older software is easier to break into than new software. 

 

Use a Strong Password Manager

The need to use a password manager can’t be stressed enough. Passwords are an easy way for hackers to steal and use them to fetch sensitive information. So you must keep changing the passwords at regular intervals and that is best by using password managers. 

 

Secure Personal Devices

There is no point in focusing your entire energy on setting up the best website security practices if you didn’t secure your personal device. Hackers often try to get into personal devices like a PC, laptop by trying to penetrate malware into it and then use it as a gateway for attacking the website. Therefore it must be a priority that personal devices are secured. 

The way to do it is by using a strong anti-virus and other anti-malware products. They help in detecting and deleting malware before it sets foot on the device, network, or system. They scan all the files in the device, USB inserted, files downloaded, internet activities to help you fend off any attack before it happens. 

 

Ensure Proper Access Control are in Place

Access control is one area where every company has to take a proper stand because it is integral to the safety of website proper functioning. The websites should put up proper access control for different users. Most of the cyber-attacks are caused by human actions and behaviors that are stemmed from the improper access controls that are in place. 

 

Maintaining Frequent Backups

The best way to overturn a cyber-attack is to be prepared for it. The best way is by backing up all the contents. We should put up our maximum effort into building up solid security measures that hackers are at bay. But we must never overlook reality and be better prepared, and that is continuously backing up our data and contents that will reduce the downtime in case of a cyber-attack. 

 

Continuously Monitoring

Malware and other attempts by hackers are always elusive and will be difficult to detect and delete if you don’t set up continuous monitoring. With continuous monitoring, you will be a step ahead of the hackers before they can execute their plan to steal your confidential data. 

 

Deploy Firewall

Deploying a firewall is the easiest way to secure your website, system, or network. A firewall acts as the first layer of security by blocking any malicious attempt made by hackers. You can configure your firewall to customize security measures that help identify & block malicious scripts. 

Also Read: The Importance of Security in Modern Day Back Office Support Services

 

Validate user Inputs

It’s of utmost importance to validate all user inputs so that attacks like SQL injection happen through this loophole of not validating user inputs. Hackers push in code or scripts that have malicious intent to a field where a user must insert his input, whereby they will trick the website to provide unauthorized information. 

So every input that a user offers must be validated that it’s safe before proceeding with the output. The thing is that there shouldn’t be any way that hackers take advantage of a loophole that will get them access to unauthorized data. 

 

Understand 3rd Party Security Issues

There isn’t any website that doesn’t use or depend on 3rd party apps, tools, or services to offer wide-ranging functionalities to users. So when we use a 3rd-party service, you are exposed to their vulnerabilities. If they don’t secure their architecture, then that puts you at risk too. So make sure you devise proper security strategies to combat such issues.

 

Create a Full-Fledged Website Security Blueprint

Before fighting out cybercriminals or hackers it is important that companies follow detailed security measures, plans, protocols, methods, and techniques, to not only fend off hackers but also for returning back through a contingency plan. This blueprint will help you companies proceed with an organized approach that will systematize your security architecture, making you ready to face any hacker’s attempt.  This blueprint will help you ensure that you plugged every loophole.

Below are the steps to see about creating the security blueprint that you need: 

  1. Start by gathering information and necessary data on existing security issues. 
  2. Then plan a counter process.
  3. Try and execute the plan to uncover vulnerability.
  4. Document each step and stage. 
  5. Address the vulnerability that you discovered. 
  6. Finally, close by verifying and validating the security measures in place.