How to Protect Your Website from Hackers

As the world goes increasingly digital in its working, ensuring the security of a website attains paramount importance. Hacks and malicious attacks threaten your website, irrespective of the fact that whether you are a large enterprise or a small business. But, there are solutions that when applied will reduce your vulnerability to threats and enhance your security.

Keep your software up to date:

No code is perfect. The software and platforms that you install and run your website sometimes contain glitches. Plus, a lot of these plugins have open-source code which makes them vulnerable to hackers. A lot of hackers use automated attacks to identify such vulnerabilities and take unfair advantage of them.

So, the developers keep updating their programs to correct any glitches. Their security features are updated keeping recent security threats in mind. Thus, you need to stay updated to prevent any malicious attack.

Use HTTPS for your website:

HTTPS ensures the security of a website. This protocol gives an assurance to the customer that any information they exchange with a website will be intercepted by no one else and it will remain secure. This becomes handy in the issue of financial transactions. HTTPS has become necessary too in e-commerce. The padlock’ sign that appears in the address bar with the domain name has become a benchmark of security.

HTTPS comes with an SSL Certificate. There are different varieties of SSL Certificates that range from a simple domain check to full-fledged physical verification.

One additional benefit of an SSL certificate is that your website ranks higher on the google search engine.

Be Vigilant to avoid SQL Injection:

SQL injection attacks occur when any hacker uses a web form or field to inject a malicious code and gain access to your database and system. One way you can save yourself from such type of attack is the use of parameterized queries. They ensure that your code has specific parameters with which no hacker can match.

Use CSP (Security):

Similar to SQL injections, many hackers also inject harmful JavaScript code. This is known as Cross-Site Script(XSS). It occurs when there unchecked user-generated content. Some hackers type a malicious code containing JavaScript in the comments, which could steal the login cookie and then hack all the user accounts.

Make sure the data that is allowed to enter your website is explicit and there are limitations to what could be allowed, so your website’s vulnerability is reduced.

A powerful to defend from such attacks is Content Security Policy (CSP). It allows you to limit the JavaScript that could run on your page. This disables any external user injecting a JavaScript Code.

Keep Strong Passwords:

Password for your website, server, etc. should always be a mixture of Capital letters, small letters, numbers, and special characters. If you tend to forget a complex password easily, then you can install a password manager to keep track. In any case, you should avoid having a simple password. A simple password will be easier to crack.

Additionally, you can also use hashed passwords that are encrypted. Even if someone gets access to your password, the damage would be very limited. Hashing means converting a password into a string which is practically impossible to reverse.

You can also perform salting on passwords which involves adding random bits before hashing. This creates unique passwords even in the case of two users having the same password

Limit on the data user can upload:

If possible, you should avoid accepting any uploads from users on your site. But in case it is necessary, then ensure some security to protect your website.

• Specify the extensions allowed- Don’t accept any file format outside a list of extensions. Hackers try to get around this by renaming the file with a different extension than the original one. Verify the files entering your system.
• Limit the file upload size: This will limit your vulnerability, especially your vulnerability to DDoS attacks.
• Perform anti-malware scan: Scan any file that is uploaded.
• Store uploaded files separately from the room folder: This way even if any malicious file is uploaded, it won’t be able to access your website.

Perform validation on both sides:

You need to perform validation on both the server and browser sides. This will prevent any user from inserting any undetected malicious code.

Limit access to Root Directory:

All the folders and files that are stored on your web hosting account should have limited access. No user should get any permission that is more than necessary to do their job. There should be a set of permissions that control who can edit and who can read any file.

Simplify your error messages:

Many error messages get displayed to outside visitors and reveal confidential code information. This exposes your vulnerabilities to hackers. This also makes you susceptible to SQL injection attacks.

Install Anti-Malware Extensions and Plugins:

These plugins address any vulnerability that is present on your website. They perform the task of gatekeeping on who enters the site, how much time they stay, and what task they perform. They also prevent any suspicious user from entering a website.

Keep Regular Backup:

Even if you feel you are well prepared, you should be ready to face any eventuality. In case of any unforeseen circumstance, a ready backup will allow going back online quickly without delay. This will also build trust among your customers.

Conclusion

Security should be your priority irrespective of the nature of your work, the type of data that your website stores.

Don’t hesitate to take the help of an expert in case of any doubt. Contact your web hosting company to see the features they offer.

Don’t consider any money spent on security as an expense. Consider it as an investment for the future. If a customer can trust you with their confidential data, they will deal with you for long. As your stature grows, your market value will also grow.