It is true that a large number of website users come across some kind of threat linked with the websites they had visited. This threat comprises information theft, installation of malicious software, and many others. A very popular incident took place in 2013 when the London based GreenNET, a non-profit Internet service provider and the host of several NGO websites, gone through a massive DDoS attack, and consequently their sites went offline, up to approximately a week.
Now, these terrifying figures and incidents expose the ‘naked truth’ that when such giants are under the threat of Internet security what about the rest. These numbers only reflect the malicious activities that have an immediate effect on a website, however, your data can be infected through many other functions, Spam SEO is one of them for instance.
Now, the question arises, how can a website be kept secured from such fatal threats? What are the safety measures one needs to consider to run a shielded website? The following analysis brings this burning question into the light:
Domain Privacy Is Must
First of all, you must ask your website host or the domain name provider to give you domain privacy because your personal details like your name, address, contact number etc are visible to anyone in the public database, which is open for anyone, comprising hackers, spammers and identity thieves. In exchange for a very small fee, you get domain privacy along with some perks that make it a worth embracing deal. Your personal details will be then protected without making any change in the actual ownership of the domain. This is a very simple exercise, but can let you reap huge benefits.
Say No to easy Passwords
I still wonder, how many among us are relying blindly on the passwords like ‘123abc’, ‘12345…’ or one of the best examples ‘password’. Most of us are not aware of the fact that such hacking creatures are the masters of their jobs and they design tools to seek out and break into sites with such ‘extraordinary’ passwords. Avoid having a strong password is an easy invitation to a number of threats. Use a string of unrelated words to create a sufficiently secure password, and thereafter test it using a tool called Password Meter to ensure its robustness.
Fail Brute Force Invasions
Through Brute Force Attack, cyber criminals can intrude password protected websites by systematically attempting likely passwords, generally with an automated system, until they hit the bull’s eye. No site is shielded for such creatures and we make their job even easier by creating a childish password.
- Limited Login Option-Install a plugin, which restricts multiple attempts of log-in to your website. It checks hackers from systematically trying a number of passwords at a time.
- Brute Force Login Protection Tool– Such tools offer the facility to blacklist and whitelist IP addresses, hold up execution after failed login attempts, and communicate blocked users through customize messages. Such tools are easy to use as well as very effective.
Keep the CMS Updated
Being an open source platform, a lot of endeavors are put to secure a CMS. No matter you use the CMS of WordPress, Joomla or of any other party, if your CMS is timely updated, your website is well-protected because with each update they regularly come up with new features and the ability to plug any security issue.
Using HTTPS ensures top-notch security as it offers a secure and encrypted link between a web browser and a website. Since Google cleared that security is a part of its ranking algorithm, most of the website owners started embracing it. To get HTTPS, you will require an SSL certificate, which is not very costly. It secures your website by establishing an encrypted link between the browser and the web server; therefore, crawling into the connection and accessing sensitive information becomes virtually impossible for a hacker.
Appoint a Web Application Firewall and Security Shield
To have a full-proof security at a reasonable cost, Web Application Firewall emerges as the most convenient option. It constantly scans your website and eliminates threats and malware. They also come with a visible security shield on the website to rest assure users that the website they are on is safe.