There are various reasons for you to keep your website secured from getting hacked. Hackers target even the simplest websites for reasons we do not know. If you have an online store, then you probably have already had hacking problems. Website hacks have been consistently increasing for many years now and the repercussions for such activities are quite serious.
Here are a few reasons why your website might get hacked:
- To deface your business
- To steal data – databases, financial records, etc.
- Ransomware attack
- To use your server to spread webmail spam
- To spread illegal files
- To utilize your server to mine for Bitcoins
In this post, our team at Maxeemize have gathered a list of tips on how you can reduce the risk of data breaches and website hacks.
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Keep Your Software Up-to-date
You have to ensure that your operating system software, antimalware solution, website security solution and other application software are up-to-date with the latest definitions and patches. You also have to make sure that your hosting provider is keeping their software updated, if they are not, switch to another provider that is known for providing excellent security.
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Carry Out Rigorous Password Policies
Implement strict password policies and make sure that they are followed. Educated your users on the importance of using strong passwords. Ask your users to create passwords with at least 8 characters, mixed with numerals, special characters, and upper and lower case alphabets.
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Perform Double Validation for Form Data
We advise our clients to always perform both server-side and browser validation. This double validation process can help stop the insertion of malicious scripts through data receiving form fields.
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Implement Strict File Upload Policies
Some businesses require online users to upload images or files to their webservers. If this applies to you, you must conduct it with extreme caution. Hackers take advantage of this process by uploading various malicious contents to compromise websites. The files or images that they upload could actually be malwares. For added security, you should remove executable permissions for files so that they cannot be executed.
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Protect Your Website from Cross-site Scripting (XSS) Attacks
Hackers are good at injecting malicious JavaScript into webpages and then changing the content, and when online users access these webpages, their login cookie details and their credentials get taken. To increase your website security, you have to disallow any injection of active JavaScript content into your site’s pages.
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Protect Your Website from SQL Injection Attacks
To disallow hackers from inserting rogue codes, you always have to ensure that your queries are parameterized and that you avoid standard Transact SQL (Standard Query Language).
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Use A Robust Firewall
When maintaining your own webserver, you have to employ a strong firewall and restrict unknown access to ports 80 and 443.
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Separate Your Database Servers
If you have the budget to separate your database servers, then do so. Maintaining separate database servers and webservers offers a much superior security to the data.
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Always Use Https Security
Make sure to use Https for your whole website to ensure that users are not communicating with fraudulent servers.
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Pick A Reputable Hosting Provider
Hosting your website with a dependable hosting provider liberates you from various website security risks and can minimize your chances of getting hacked. Hosting providers are responsible for taking care of your website’s security for the webserver.
At Maxeemize, we ensure that your website security investments are maximized for better ROI. We have the expertise, knowledge, experience, as well as creativity, to deliver unique solutions that produce better security for your digital marketing efforts! Contact Us for a free website security consultation.
