When talking about cybersecurity, it’ll surely come to your mind the most effective actions you can take to keep your computer safe from unexpected viruses and unwanted access. However, the concept of cyber security goes much further. In other words, it means protecting every good or piece of information related to us that’s already part of the web.
In this sense, a website is a clear example of this. It acts as a digital ecosystem capable of hosting a large amount of precious information both from those who own and manage it and from those who register on it. Therefore, this condition makes it a very precious target for cyber-attackers. So, this being said, we’ll proceed to ask you, have you ever wondered how to protect your website from online attackers?
We have good news for you. You can actually do a lot to protect your website from possible cyber attacks. It all starts with taking the right procedures, people, tools and applications to do it. But let’s not move too fast and talk about its importance first.
Why is your website security so important?
The security of your website is as important as the information that resides within it. Every action you take to protect your site will be one more obstacle for potential attackers to deal with.
Otherwise, if you don’t protect your website, hackers and scammers will have an easy way to get to it, and when that happens, this is what they could be able to do:
- Steal very important information from you such as passwords and credit cards numbers.
- Use it to gain control over other sites, and, of course, get to their main info too.
- Make your online reputation decline.
That’s exactly why you should keep your eyes wide open and protect your website from every threat and risk. In the process, you’ll banish all vulnerabilities from your site.
What are web vulnerabilities?
A web vulnerability is an error or a weak point in the code of your website that eventually becomes a clear opportunity for cyber attackers either to access information they shouldn’t or to insert their own malicious code.
These security issues are more important than you think. When exploited with specialized tools such scanners and botnets, cyber attackers can even get to the hosting server and cause serious problems to it. Not to mention what they could do to your website assets.
So, in order to prevent digital evil outsiders from getting their own way, it’s imperative for you to get these errors straight. This way, your website will be safe and sound. But how to do it? Here we’re telling you.
How to protect your website from cyberattackers
As we told you a minute ago, securing your website is all about considering the right resources. That being said, here are some first steps you should take in order to get your website on the safe track.
Install SSL and security plugins
First of all, et a SSL certificate. This will allow your site to send sensitive information all through Internet encrypted. This way only the destined recipients will receive it. Besides, having a SSL certificate will give your website authentication, which means it’ll be sending the info to the right server and not an impostor.
Keep updates up-to-date
Avoiding software updates could bring heavy consequences for your website as attackers are quick in finding holes which to get in through and gain control inside. This is exactly why it’s important for you to keep your website’s platform and software updated, specially if you’re using a CMS like WordPress, with a lot of plugins, to manage the content.
Strengthen your passwords
OK, we get it. The phrase “that’s won’t happen to me” is a perfect excuse, but you have to start believing that an attack to your website is always possible, specially if your passwords follow a pretty common pattern.
So, when you’re resetting your passwords—which you’ll do right after you’re done read this article, right?—, make sure they’re untraceable by adding a mix of special characters, numbers, and letters. Please, and forget about the “123456”, that is no longer allowed as an excuse.
Take a closer look at error/issues messages
As the main responsible for your website, you’d like error messages to show you what’s exactly happening inside. However, being so explicit may not be that good when they’re displayed to outsiders.
Then, to prevent your site’s main vulnerabilities to be sown to strangers or possible hackers, be extremely careful on what type of information error or issues messages provide when they’re shown.
Use HTTPS protocol
How do you feel when you load a website on your screen and you see the little, most-of-the-time green padlock next to the site’s domain? Good, right? It means you’re entered a safe website, which you can provide financial or sensitive information of yours to.
On the other side, the HTTPS protocol will also protect your website from falling in the wrong hands when an attack is on the way. For example, let’s say a cybercriminal wants to steal any of your site’s users’ login info. Using HTTPS will prevent this from happening at all cost.
Avoid phishing emails and other scams
Please, read very carefully every email you receive. Don’t fall for sweet and dream-like messages that only look to persuade and take you to a trap. Eventually, this could allow the criminal mind behind get access to your website.
Be careful with file uploads
If you allow your website’s users to create an account and login, they’ll probably have the chance to upload files. Regarding to this, you should filter the files that are being uploaded. This way you’ll prevent your site from being exposed to bad-intentioned files, especially those that can be executed. They’re really dangerous for a website.
Set automatic backups
We’re not going to lie to you. By following all the advices in this post you’ll reduce a lot your website’s chances to be cyber attacked. However, there’d still be a little possibility that it could happen. If so—we mean, just in extremely case—, run regular backups to prepare for the worst case scenario.
Take advantage of web security tools
After you complete all the recommendations, it will come a time when testing the security of your website will be the best choice. When you do, use a website security software or tool. They’ll act as a hacker attempting to compromise your site taking advantage of its weak points.
What software can help you protect your website?
Now we’re talking. When it comes to choosing a software or tool to protect your website, let us tell you that there’s a good list full of them out there available on the Internet. However, if you ask us, we’ll recommend you Acunetix.
This is an web application security scanner that provides different automated tools in order to test all the vulnerabilities of your website. In this regard, Acunetix detects threats and responds efficiently to any website that’s built on HTTP or HTTPS protocols. Even on websites based on complicated and complex HTML5.
If you’re interested in trying an Acunetix demo, you can contact us at any time. At GB advisors we provide the most competitive and efficient web security tools on the market. Besides, we’re known as a team of professionals willing to advise you and bes with you in the process of building a more secure IT environment for your company.
