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Websites are compromised all the time. Even if you think that your site has nothing worthy of being hacked. Basically, website security breaches aren’t to steal your data or mess with the layout. Usually, it tries to use your server for email spam. Or to set up a temporary web server that serves files of an illegal nature. Some even hack your website to use your server as part of a botnet or mine bitcoins. Sometimes, you may be hit by ransomware.

Basically, hacking happens by an automated script. It’s written to scour the internet to exploit website issues in software. Therefore, here are tips to protect your websites from hackers.

Security Tips to Protect Your Website from Hackers

1- Stay updated

It’s important to stay updated with hacking and theft. It will help you to protect your website from a hacker at a basic level. As you will have basic knowledge of what things are possible. And how to overcome them. You can follow updates at the best web design service.

2- Keep software updated

It’s important to keep software updated to protect your website from hackers. It applies to both the server: the server operating system and software that runs on your website. A hacker looks for website vulnerabilities if anything is found. Then they quickly abuse them. They network like crazy. 

If you have a hosting solution. Then you should be relaxed. As the hosting company will apply security updates itself. But if you have third-party integration, then you should quickly enforce security patches. Moreover, many developers use tools. For example, Composer, npm, and RubyGem manage software dependencies. But ignore it. Remember to keep dependencies updates. You can use a tool like Gemnasium. It gives automatic notification when a vulnerability is observed on your component. 

3- Beware of error messages

It’s important to be careful about how much information you provide to error messages. To protect your website from hackers. Try to provide minimal errors to the customers. So that they shouldn’t leak secret presents on your server. It includes API keys or database passwords.

Don’t provide exception details to avoid complex attacks like SQL injections. Always keep errors in server logs. Moreover, provide only information that the user needs. 

4- Validate on both sides

It’s important to validate both sides: browser and server. The browser tends to catch simple failures. It includes mandatory fields that are basically empty. You can enter text only in numbers. This can be bypassed, and you should check validation. At the same time, server-side failing leads to malicious code. Or scripting codes are inserted in the database. It could cause unwanted outcomes on the website. 

5- Check your passwords

Everyone knows to use strong passwords. But sometimes they don’t. Always remember to use strong passwords on your server and admin page. It will protect your website from hackers. Similarly, it’s important to insist on good password practices for customers. In order to protect their account security.

6- Avoid file uploads

File uploads are one of the serious problems. Even if the system thoroughly checks them out. Bugs can still get through. And allows hackers to access the data. Therefore, avoid file uploads to protect your website from hackers. Try to store them outside the root directory. And use a script for accessing when needed. You can seek to host web help to set up the process. 

Read More:How to utilize the Dlink device Inbound Filters function?

7- Tighten network security

It’s important to tighten network security, according to the website valley. As computer users in your company can access the server easily. That’s why you need to make sure that:

• Passwords are often changed. 
• Passwords are strong.
• Never write down passwords.
• Logins expire within a short time of inactivity. 

8- Get website security tools 

After following the steps, it’s time to test the website’s security. The most efficient way is through website security tools. Mostly, they are referred to as penetration testing or pen-testing. 

There are many free tools available in the market to assist. They work to protect your website from hackers. 

List of free tools that are worth it:

• Netsparker
• OpenVas
• SecurityHeaders.io
• Enenotix XSS Exploit Framework

The results from the test can be daunting. As they present many problems. Firstly, focus on the important problems. And try to overcome that with professional help.  

Conclusion

Protecting your website from hackers is important. As you can never undo the damage done by a hacker. Therefore it’s essential to take the following steps to prevent it.