For an individual or any business their website and its contents mean a lot to them. It can be considered a very important asset or property in this digital age. A person or a group of people devote their time, effort, and other valuable resources to make sure that these assets are protected and secure.
But for hackers, it only takes just a few minutes to convert an ordinary website into a malicious one without the owner even knowing it. They can access databases, steal crucial information, hijack the hosting providers and even disrupt a business operation. Hence, ruining a person’s or a business’ reputation entirely.
All that a hacker needs is a tiny loophole in your website security and boom! They should be able to sneak in using malicious scripts of their creation, infect your system with malwares and viruses, therefore compromising all your data and server information. Some people may even think that their websites are not worth a dime for the hackers to invade but guess what, it’s not just about getting information. Majority of the breaches are done not because attackers want to steal something or just mess up a webpage, it’s a complete break-in to your server and use it as a beacon for other malicious and illegal activities. Once a temporary server has been set up, your system can be used to hack other machines, email relays for spam or botnets, cryptocurrency hacking and even a ransomware attack.
So the security of your website and your system in its entirety has never been more important. Here are some reliable tips that can be used to protect yourself and your business from the threats of cyber attacks:
1. PASSWORDS MUST BE SECURE
This is a no-brainer. It is very crucial that the access to your system is kept safe and it’s equally important to make use of complex and strong passwords in order to guard the safety of your accounts.
2. DAILY MONITORING OF ACTIVITIES
Keeping track of your website’s activity for at least twice a day is a good practice. This way you will be able to watch out for possible threats and act on them before they pose a threat. Regardless if you have an IT staff or your sites/servers are being managed by someone else, it wouldn’t hurt to make sure that all activities are logged and your system is secured.
3. MAKE SURE YOUR SOFTWARE IS UP TO DATE
One of the most crucial aspects in keeping your website secure. Outdated softwares are an automatic loophole for hackers. They can easily exploit and abuse this whenever possible. These updates are often bundled with additional security features which could help prevent attacks and ensure the safety of your systems. Don’t think twice; make sure it’s updated regularly.
4. REGULAR BACKUPS
You should always make sure that you have a decent backup tool and that backups are done periodically. You can also choose to have a backup on your hosting provider online (servers) and another with you offline (physical disk). This should get you covered just in case anything goes down and your data gets compromised, you can get everything back.
5. SECURITY TOOLS ARE A MUST
This is an additional feature you can use to provide more security for your website. With the exception of your AV and Firewall, these tools protect your website primarily. There are many free alternatives available online but your hosting provider may be able to hook you up and install their own additional security software for your website at an even lower price. Large companies can always acquire the services of Security Firms like iZOOlogic, Inc. to help them in securing their website.
6. DRAW OUT A SECURITY STRATEGY
Regardless if you are an individual or a large company, it’s always a good practice to have a comprehensive security scheme. You can coordinate with your IT staff, developers, hosting provider and security provider to get a plan in place so you can take immediate action in the event a breach occurs. An action plan that you can rely on in case of a security breach. This will help you stay calm, organize your next step and get back on track with very minimal loss.