Steps To Protect Your Website From Website Hackers

How grave would it be if your secrets, crucial personal information or your website was disrupted by some online “goons”? Hackers are “online goons” who steal secrets by obtaining information illegally in computer systems. They use that knowledge to obtain things like credit card information or even take down a website by causing so much traffic. They range from young kids or adults having “fun” to professional hackers.

Since preventing havoc is better than curing it, this article gives a guideline on steps you can use to prevent your website from being hacked.

Steps To Protect Your Website From Website Hackers. Image Credits: udemy.com

1. UPDATE YOUR SOFTWARES FREQUENTLY.

Using outdated programs makes your website vulnerable. If your software’s are not automatically updated, remember to do so frequently. Retiring some liable software will lessen your vulnerability. Enable Microsoft product updates so that the office suite will be updated at the same time.

Run your updates often to ensure you have the latest version. Keep track of all updates including the plug-ins. Remove all outdated plug-ins as this can be used to infiltrate your site. Installing antivirus software gives you a head start, especially when you are browsing. Therefore, one needs to build blocks of security around their website to protect them from Website Hackers. Also Read: Top 8 SEO Guidelines for Web Designers

2. CREATING A PASSWORD THAT IS DIFFICULT TO CRACK

Your password should be unpredictable. Maintain inconsistency in all accounts.  Do not use personal information when creating passwords-things such as date of birth, your child’s year of birth, and wedding day among others. The most commonly used password is still 123456… and this gives hackers an easy time.

Changing passwords regularly is paramount. Make sure your answers to your security question are creative. Mix up letters and numbers. No matter how tempting it is to make it short and easy to remember, long passwords are preferable. If there is anyone allowed accessing your website, set your standards high concerning issues of security.

3. USE HTTPS

These five little words is a symbol of security to customers. It provides security on the internet.  Most people know how to recognize the https and this tells them that it is safe to submit their personal information like credit cards in your site. Investing in an SSL certificate makes your website extra secure. It provides an extra level of encryption which makes your website trustworthy to the customers you offer services to since every request is encrypted and authenticated. In short, to cover all loopholes you must always use HTTPS for your entire site. Apart from securing your website, HTTPS also improves your appearances in Google search rankings. Upgrading is vital at this point since insecure HTTP is beginning to be highly wiped out. Setting up an HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) will enhance your security and provide greater security against Website Hackers. Also Read: How to make your product stand out with UX Design?

4. USING PARAMETERIZED QUERIES

Parameterized queries are used to lessen an attack from a hacker. For instance, a hacker may use SQL injections to gain entry into a database. SQL injections attacks refer to when a hacker uses a URL parameter to manipulate the database. A rogue code may be inserted into your query and used to manipulate data such as changing tables, deleting data and acquiring personal information. Parameterized queries are present in most websites and are effortless to put into operation.

When the parameters of the field are left to be too open, it gives room for anyone to insert a code into them thus leading to a hack. Therefore using parameterized queries ensures that your code has specified parameters that will have no room for hacking from Website Hackers.

5. USING CSP

You can create CSP headers. It stands for Content Security Policy.  This involves adding the correct HTTP header to your web page which will then avail directives on which browser domains are okay and those that are not. In other words, it enables your browser not to redirect to any script that seems malicious but execute scripts that are valid.

One should also watch out for Cross-site scripting attacks commonly known as XSS. Hackers slip Javascript code into your pages leading to infection of pages thus exposing your website code. Parameterized queries used in SQL injections can also be used to fight XSS. Therefore, your codes should be exclusively private. Also Read: Strategy to build effective content for a website

6. INSTALLING SECURITY PLUGINS

Installing security plugins enhances the security of your website. Plug-ins such as iThemes Security, Bulletproof Security, can be used in sites like WordPress. There are a variety of other awesome security tools online that reduce hacking. They can detect malware, scan viruses among others. An example of such plug-in is SiteLock. Sitelock will give you value for your money.

7. RESTRICTING FILE UPLOADS

Other websites allow users to upload files. However, this is a great risk because the file uploaded could contain a script that could open up your website if executed on your server. This is also a great risk because the files can be faked. You need to verify if it is actually a proper file that is being downloaded. Do not let your guard loose.

Preventing direct access to uploaded files is the best thing to do. A script will be created to fetch a file from your folders. This will then be sent to your browser, they will have been stored in folders in the database. Setting up image tags is vital as files with image extensions cannot be executed. Renaming the files is also an option given that it creates some sort of security. This may not be the ultimate solution, although it prevents double extension attacks from Website Hackers.

Conclusion:

In a nutshell, ultimate precaution should be taken to secure your website. Your admin directories might also be used to hack your network system. Renaming your admin folders reduces your vulnerability. With the above-mentioned basics, you can secure your website. Remember, a breach of a website can happen to anyone. So, take care!