I am not telling you this to scare you but to help you stay vigil. Most threats are not aiming to steal your data or corrupt your files, no, they want to use your server as an email relay for spam.
Your server is the most important thing to them and hackers want to use it as a temporary web server, to serve illegal files. They also want to corrupt servers as part of a botnet, or for bitcoin mining. The majority of hacks are done by automated scripts written to scour the internet.
This is done to exploit known website security issues. To help you build up your website security, here are several solid security tips and web security tools to strengthen it.
• Use Updated Software
Keep your software updated may seem obvious, but ensuring it is a major step of beefing up your site’s security. This doesn’t only apply to the server operating system but also any software you may be using on your websites like a CMS or forum. Any security loopholes found in any software are potential entry points and hackers won’t hesitate to take advantage of it.It's a good thing if you are using a managed hosting solution because eve thing is pretty much taken care of, including your website security. It is also good to apply security patches if you are using third-party software as a CMS or forum. You can use security tools to check for vulnerabilities in any software used on your website.
• Look out for SQL injection
If you are not familiarised with this term, SQL injection when an attacker uses a web form field to access or manipulate a database. Using standard Transact SQL makes it easy to insert rogue code into your query unintentionally. This could be used to get information, change tables, and delete data.This can be avoided easily by using parameterized queries all the time. This feature is easy to implement and many web languages have it.
• Protect against XSS attacks
This malicious JavaScript will then run in your users’ browsers and steal information or change page content, sending them to the attacker. An example is when you show comments on a page without validation. An attacker may take advantage of this to also submit comments containing script tags and JavaScript.You can apply DNS Filters to block objectionable content.
This could be used to steal the user’s login cookie, giving them control of accounts. To prevent this, ensure that users cannot inject active JavaScript content into your pages.
Full exception details shouldn’t be provided either since they can make it easier to inject SQL. Detailed error information should be kept in your server logs, and you should only show users useful information.
Failure to do this may lead to malicious code or scripting code being inserted into the database, causing unwanted results in your site.
To further improve their security a good idea would be to use salt the passwords, using a new salt per password. Fortunately, many CMSs have built-in security features to help users manage their security.
For a file upload form then you need to be very vigil and treat all files suspiciously. You can’t rely on the file extension to verify if the file is an image. This can easily be faked since most image formats store a comment section that could contain malicious PHP code.
This means that no one else can intercept or change the content they’re seeing in transit. To safeguard your users’ privacy, it’s recommended that you use the HTTPS protocol. Those with credit card information, bank accounts, or payment details should be able to trust you with this information.
Hackers and attackers are always working around the clock to find entry points. It’s therefore upon you to ensure that they don’t find it.
What do you think? Kindly drop us a comment and share to your friends.
This could be used to steal the user’s login cookie, giving them control of accounts. To prevent this, ensure that users cannot inject active JavaScript content into your pages.
• Beware of error messages
You should always be cautious of the information you give away in your error messages. Provide little information regarding error to avoid users leaking out sensitive information about your server. Such information includes API keys or database passwords.Full exception details shouldn’t be provided either since they can make it easier to inject SQL. Detailed error information should be kept in your server logs, and you should only show users useful information.
• Validate on both sides
Always validate both ends (both the browser and server-side). When entering text into a numbers only field, the browser can only catch simple failures like mandatory empty fields. However, this can easily be bypassed. You should, therefore, check for these validations and deeper validation server side.Failure to do this may lead to malicious code or scripting code being inserted into the database, causing unwanted results in your site.
• Check your passwords
Due to ignorance, many users fail to users fail to apply complex passwords to their accounts. Strong passwords are crucial in your server and website admin area. It’s equally important to emphasize on good password practices for your users to secure their accounts. Even if they are not comfortable with it, try to enforce password requirements such as a minimum of around eight characters, including an uppercase letter and number for their long-run protection.To further improve their security a good idea would be to use salt the passwords, using a new salt per password. Fortunately, many CMSs have built-in security features to help users manage their security.
• Avoid file uploads
A big security lapse is allowing users to upload files to your website. This can be as simple as changing their avatar. It doesn’t matter how innocent the upload looks, some may contain scripts that if executed on your server, can completely open up your site.For a file upload form then you need to be very vigil and treat all files suspiciously. You can’t rely on the file extension to verify if the file is an image. This can easily be faked since most image formats store a comment section that could contain malicious PHP code.
• Use HTTPS
Your users want to want to be guaranteed that their privacy is protected when seeking website design services. Using an HTTP protocol doesn’t offer this guarantee but HTTPS does. HTTPS refers to a protocol used to provide security over the Internet. HTTPS guarantees users' safety and that they are engaging with the expected server.This means that no one else can intercept or change the content they’re seeing in transit. To safeguard your users’ privacy, it’s recommended that you use the HTTPS protocol. Those with credit card information, bank accounts, or payment details should be able to trust you with this information.
Final Thoughts
Website Security is an issue to be handled with seriousness. Failure to secure your site may lead to a security lapse that could greatly damage your website. We can’t protect our sites 100%, but the efforts made go a long way in protecting your treasured investment. These security tips are helpful, but you can also use various WordPress plugins to further strengthen your website security.Hackers and attackers are always working around the clock to find entry points. It’s therefore upon you to ensure that they don’t find it.
What do you think? Kindly drop us a comment and share to your friends.
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