Website Security: How To Keep Your Website Safe

Websites are the cornerstone of any modern business. They can be used to reach and engage with customers, as well as provide important information about products and services. But with so much at stake, It's essential that all businesses take measures to ensure their website is secure. There are multiple layers of security that can be used to protect a website from malicious attacks and data breaches. For starters, businesses should use a reliable web hosting provider that offers secure servers and regular updates.

In this blog post, we will be discussing website security and the ways to keep your website safe and protected.

What Is Web Security?

Web security is the practice of protecting websites from malicious attacks and data breaches. It involves creating multiple layers of defense that can be used to detect and prevent unauthorized access. Different types of web security include firewalls, encryption protocols, authentication methods, vulnerability scanning tools, and more.

According to a report by the Institute for Critical Infrastructure Technology (ICIT), there were over 4,000 reported website hacks in the United States in 2019. The sectors affected included healthcare, finance and banking, retail, education, government, and military.

3 Most Common Website Security Threats

1. SQL Injections

SQL injections are a type of attack where malicious code is injected into an application or web page. The purpose of this type of attack is to gain access to sensitive data, such as passwords and credit card numbers.

2. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

Cross-site scripting (XSS) is a type of attack where malicious code is inserted into a website. The purpose of this type of attack is to hijack user sessions and launch further attacks on the website or its visitors.

3. Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attacks

Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks are one of the most severe types of attacks. These attacks send overwhelming amounts of traffic to a website or server, causing it to crash or become inaccessible.

How To Keep Your Website Safe

Keep Software Up To Date

One of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your website is by regularly updating your software. This includes web server software, content management system (CMS) software, plugins, themes, databases, and more. Not only do updates help keep your website secure from malicious attacks, but they also improve performance and user experience.

Beware Of Error Messages

Error messages can be a valuable source of information for hackers. Make sure to use generic error messages that don’t give away any sensitive information about your website or server.

Validate On Both Sides

Make sure to implement validation on both the client side and server side of your website. This will help protect against malicious inputs and ensure that only valid information is stored in your databases.

Check Your Passwords

Make sure to use strong passwords for all your accounts associated with the website. This includes passwords for server access, content management systems, databases, and third-party services. Strong passwords should be at least eight characters long and contain a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

Avoid File Uploads

If your website allows file uploads, it’s important to check all files for malicious code before allowing them to be uploaded. It’s also a good idea to store uploaded files outside of the web root directory (the public-facing part of your website) in order to further protect them from potential attackers.

If possible, avoid allowing users to upload files to your website. If you must allow file uploads, make sure to use secure protocols and scan the uploaded files for malicious code.

Conclusion

Website security is an essential part of any modern business. By taking the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure that your website is secure and protected from malicious attacks and data breaches. Remember to stay up-to-date with software updates, use strong passwords, validate on both the client and server sides, and avoid file uploads where possible. With a few basic steps, you can keep your website safe and secure.