It's no secret that the internet can be a dangerous place. From cyber attacks to data breaches, there are a myriad of threats out there that can put your website and your business at risk.
That's why it's important to take steps to secure your web hosting account and protect your website from potential threats. In this article, we'll share fifteen web hosting security best practices that you can implement to help keep your site safe and secure.
1. Use a firewall to protect your web server
A firewall can help to protect your web server by blocking unwanted traffic from reaching your server. If you consult the cybersecurity data, it is strikingly clear that having a firewall in place is one of the best frontline measures available. If you are using a shared hosting service, your host may provide a firewall solution that you can use. If you are running your own web server, you will need to select and configure a firewall solution for your server.
2. Keep your web server software up to date
One of the most important things you can do to keep your web server secure is to ensure that you are running the latest version of your web server software. Newer versions of web server software often include security fixes for vulnerabilities that have been discovered in older versions. By keeping your web server software up to date, you can help to protect your server against known security threats.
3. Use a strong password for your web server administration account
Another important step you can take to secure your web server is to use a strong password for your server administration account. A strong password should be at least 8 characters in length and should include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using easily guessed words or phrases in your password.
4. Limit access to your web server administration account
It is also important to limit access to your web server administration account. If possible, only allow trusted individuals to access your server administration account. You can also limit access to your server administration account by using a strong password and by enabling two-factor authentication.
5. Configure your web server’s security settings properly
It is important to configure your web server’s security settings properly. Incorrectly configured security settings can leave your server vulnerable to attack. Be sure to consult your web server software’s documentation to ensure that you are configuring your security settings correctly.
6. Keep your operating system and other software up to date
In addition to keeping your web server software up to date, it is also important to keep your operating system and other software up to date. Newer versions of operating systems and software often include security fixes for vulnerabilities that have been discovered in older versions. By keeping your software up to date, you can help to protect your server against known security threats.
7. Use secure protocols when accessing your web server remotely
If you need to access your web server remotely, be sure to use secure protocols such as SSH or SFTP. These protocols encrypt data that is transmitted between your computer and your server, making it more difficult for attackers to eavesdrop on the communication.
8. Monitor your web server logs regularly
Monitoring your web server logs can help you to detect suspicious activity on your server. Be sure to review your logs regularly and to investigate any unusual activity that you see.
9. Use a web application firewall
A web application firewall (WAF) can help to protect your server by filtering incoming traffic and blocking malicious requests. If you are using a shared hosting service, your host may provide a WAF that you can use. If you are running your own web server, you will need to select and configure a WAF for your server.
10. Implement security hardening measures
There are a number of security-hardening measures that you can take to further protect your web server. These measures can include disabling unneeded services, restricting access to sensitive files, and using security-enhanced Linux.
11. Keep backups of your data
It is important to keep regular backups of your web server data. In the event that your server is compromised, you will be able to restore your data from a backup. Be sure to store your backups in a safe location that is not accessible from your web server.
12. Use a content delivery network
A content delivery network (CDN) can help to improve the security of your website by distributing your content across multiple servers. This makes it more difficult for attackers to bring down your website by attacking a single server.
CDNs are not a replacement for other security measures, but they can provide an additional layer of protection.
13. Use HTTPS
Using https will help to protect the data that is transmitted between your server and your visitors’ browsers. When https is used, data is encrypted before it is transmitted, making it more difficult for attackers to intercept and read the data. The major difference between HTTP and HTTPS is that HTTPS uses Transport Layer Security (TLS), which is more secure than the older Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol.
14. Restrict access to admin interfaces
If your website has an admin interface, it is important to restrict access to this interface to authorized users only. Attackers may attempt to gain access to your admin interface in order to modify your website or steal sensitive information.
15. Restrict access to your servers
It is important to restrict access to your web servers so that only authorized personnel can access them. You can do this by using firewalls, access control lists, and other security measures. You don't want just anyone gaining access to your servers as they could easily wreak havoc.
Conclusion
By following these best practices, you can help to keep your web server secure and protect your website from attacks. These are fifteen web hosting security best practices that you should follow in order to keep your website safe. If you implement these measures, you will be well on your way to protecting your site from attackers.
