Your Go-To Website Security Checklist
Here is a website security checklist for you. Read on to learn how to secure your website from hackers!
1. Use SSL/TLS Encryption
Picture your website as your bank account. Would you leave your locker open? Of course not! Right? Similarly, securing your site with SSL/TLS encryption is crucial. When your website is secured - your URL reflects "HTTPS". It is similar to installing a secure ATM (Automated Teller Machine) to protect and control the flow of data between your bank (website) and your customers (users).Â
SSL/TLS creates a secured underpass that makes it impossible for cyber snoops to stage man-in-the-middle attacks (MitM) to steal sensitive data like passwords and credit card information.
An SSL/TLS encrypted website not only keeps your users' information safe but also helps boost your search engine rankings.Â
2. Install a Web Application Firewall (WAF)
A Web Application Firewall (WAF) is the keeper of your internal website security. It stands guard and analyses incoming traffic to your website while blocking suspicious requests before they can reach your server.
These firewalls protect against common attacks like the following:
- SQL injection: It is where hackers try to implant doubtful SQL codes into your database to manipulate and access confidential information.
- Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): These attacks allow the cyber crooks to run dubious scripts on the user's browser to steal data, compromise interactions, or hijack sessions.
There are two types of Website Application Firewalls - Cloud-based and on-premises WAFs. Let's take a closer look at these website security best practices:
- Cloud-based WAF: This virtual and subscription-based model of WAF is easy to set up and handle.
- On-premises WAF: It is installed on your own servers and allows for more control. However, they require dedicated hardware and technical expertise to run properly.
| Pro Tip: As far as choosing the WAF solution is concerned, go for the one that best fits your needs and budget. |
3. Keep Software, CMS, and Plugins Updated
Running outdated software is like an open invitation to hackers. Therefore, you should always keep your website's CMS (Content Management System) - Joomla or WordPress, software, and its plugins updated without fail. Regular updates are likely to patch or cover the internal website security vulnerabilities and loopholes that cybercriminals use to lay their baits.Â
Updating your software, CMS, and plugins is like changing the security combinations of your locker. Most importantly, you should activate automatic updates wherever possible. It ensures your website is always running the latest and the most secure version.Â
4. Implement Strong Authentication Measures
A strong authentication means putting multiple locks on the admin access of your website. Use the Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) approach to ensure proper website security.
It ensures multiple layers of protection and makes it much harder for hackers to break in, even if they happen to guess your password.
Moreover, you should also implement strong password policies and promote setting passwords with a mix of uppercase, lowercase, special characters, and numbers with a minimum length. You should also limit login attempts to prevent brute-force attacks.
5. Perform Regular Security Audits & Vulnerability Scans
Is your website as easy to access as a sitting duck to cyber predators? Always remember! Hackers continuously search for any open door (weakness) to enter your website. Therefore, your website security checklist must include regular security audits and vulnerability scans.
Security scans check your website for weaknesses and loopholes that cyber attackers are likely to manipulate to get access to your website. These checks help pinpoint possible susceptibilities present in your website before hackers can manipulate them. It works like a preventative maintenance approach for your website's security.
Automated vulnerability scanning tools, such as Nessus, QualysGuard, Acunetix, and Nmap, can help you find out the common issues quickly. Also, in-depth cybersecurity audits involving simulated attacks (penetration testing) can help you find the hidden drawbacks.
6. Backup Website Data Frequently
Imagine - one fine day, your website disappears, gets hacked, or is accidentally deleted - out of the blue. A jolt of panic sets in. Right? Therefore, regular website data backups are non-negotiable ways to improve website security.
It is an emergency recovery kit for your website. Make sure to get backups daily or weekly to create a safety net. It helps you bring back your website to action in case of a cyberattack, data loss, or any other disaster.
However, simply having backups may not be enough. You should also keep them securely in multiple locations – a local drive and a cloud service, for example. It protects against data loss in a single event.Â
7. Restrict User Access and Permissions
If you were the boss, would you give the master key to every employee? No, right?
Similarly, you should restrict user access and permissions on your website to maintain internal website security. One of the best things you can do here is to allow role-based access control (RBAC). It will let you assign specific levels of access to different users based on their roles.
It ensures that only authorized people can access sensitive areas and perform critical actions. Also, refrain from giving unnecessary admin privileges. The fewer people with full access, the smaller the risk of accidental or malicious damage.
8. Secure File Uploads and Limit External Inputs
Will you ever accept packages from unknown senders without any checks? The answer is no. Isn't it? Allowing unrestricted file uploads is more or less the same thing. It makes way for cybercriminals to upload malware to infect your website.
Implementing strict filters and validators is like setting up a security checkpoint for incoming files. Moreover, this checkpoint should only allow specific types of files and verify the content to stop hiding '.exe or .bat' files(executable files) from squeezing in.
These preventive ways to improve website security are crucial for keeping your website safe from hostile uploads.
9. Monitor Website Traffic & Enable Intrusion Detection
You install security cameras and alarms at your home or office to monitor what's going on in and around. Website traffic monitoring and intrusion detection do the same work for your digital assets.
Website traffic monitoring systems watch website activities in real-time for unusual patterns, which could mean a potential cyberattack. Sudden spikes in traffic, doubtful login attempts, or unusual file access can activate alerts.
Intrusion detection systems (IDS) go a step further. These actively scan for known attack signatures and suspicious behaviour. These systems can alert you to potential breaches in progress so that you can take immediate action and prevent further damage.
10. Educate Employees and Users on Cybersecurity Best Practices
Your internal website security comprises a chain of steps. And humans (manual work) are often the weakest links. Even if you have the most robust security measures in place, only one human error is enough to compromise your website. Therefore, it is highly important to educate your employees as well as users on cybersecurity best practices.Â
Regular training on phishing scams, social engineering tactics, and basic website security hygiene can help reduce the risk of human errors that may lead to a breach.
Promote your staff and users to use safe browsing habits. Ask them to use strong passwords and avoid suspicious links. Most importantly, create a work culture where everyone feels free to report any doubtful activity.
How Cyber Insurance Plays an Important Role in Website Security?
Cyber insurance is not a substitute for strong website security. Instead, it is a crucial component of a comprehensive website security strategy. Unfortunately, if a cyberattack slips through your safety net, an exhaustive cyber insurance policy is your financial backup plan. It is likely to cover the costs associated with website downtime (lost income), data breaches (notification costs, legal fees), and legal liabilities (lawsuits from affected customers).
Conclusion
Website security is not a one-time solution. It is an ongoing obligation to protect your online presence. Most importantly, the patterns of cyber threats are constantly evolving. So, staying proactive, informed, and flexible is crucial for maintaining a robust defence against emerging threats.
Don't wait for a breach to happen – prioritise website security today. For further support with cyber insurance, you can connect with our team of risk consultants at Policybazaar for Business, to get ideal solutions
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