Online websites can be protected using various software and hardware security measures. With cyberattacks increasing, it's crucial to improve security quickly.
Let’s quickly review strategies you can employ to boost your shared hosting security.
1. Regular backups
One of the best ways you can protect yourself against cyberattacks is to regularly backup your site.
Keep your security software and applications updated to efficiently combat new threats. Your website will do a lot better if you do backups on your website more frequently.
2. Avoid untrusted sources
In the race to save some money or put out new functionalities or features, you might sometimes put security in second place.
Using free versions of paid software or downloading from untrusted sources greatly increases the risk of viruses or spyware.
Ensure you avoid suspicious free deals and sources that aren’t trusted, tempting as they might seem.
3. Regulate permissions and user roles
The most common security breach comes from website users. When giving out user permissions, be cautious.
Use two-factor authentication and enforce strong password policies for added security.
A single inexperienced user's mistake could compromise your entire website, so limit administrator privileges to trusted individuals only.
4. Use a Web Application Firewall (WAF)
A Web Application Firewall (WAF) serves as a critical security measure, inspecting HTTP traffic to ensure the safety and integrity of web applications.
Protects against SQL injection
Mitigates cross-site scripting (XSS)
Prevents cookie poisoning
Reduces the risk of web-based attacks
Adds an extra layer of security
5. Implement SSL Certificates
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificates encrypt the data transferred between your website and its users.
This ensures that sensitive information like login credentials and payment details are protected from interception by malicious actors.
An SSL certificate is also essential for building user trust and improving your website’s SEO ranking.
6. Regularly Update Your CMS and Plugins
Content Management Systems (CMS) like WordPress, Joomla and Drupal are frequently targeted by hackers.
Ensure that your CMS, along with any themes and plugins, are always up to date.
Developers release updates to fix security vulnerabilities, so regular updates are critical to maintaining a secure website.
7. Monitor Your Website for Suspicious Activity
Regularly monitor your website for unusual activity such as unauthorized login attempts, changes to files, or unexpected increases in traffic.
Using tools like intrusion detection systems (IDS) and security plugins can help you identify and respond to potential threats promptly.
8. Use Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP)
Instead of using FTP, which transmits data in plain text, opt for SFTP. Secure File Transfer Protocol encrypts both the commands and the data, preventing sensitive information from being intercepted during the transfer process.
Security Levels on Other Types of Hosting