Cyber-attacks are the biggest threat to any organization in the ever-evolving field of technology. More and more companies are witnessing security attacks emphasizing the need for strict measures.
Once you have published your website, it means that the website is potentially exposed to hacking attempts, man-in-the-middle attacks, packet sniffers, and other malicious actions. Hosting a site means you are not only responsible for the protection of your data but also the personal information provided by the visitors. Therefore, it is paramount to identify any security flaws and ensure the implementation of the latest security principles.
This blog will focus on the importance of Web Security and the typical steps that should be followed to secure your website.
Why is Website Security Important?
In the dynamic field of IT, attackers are always looking for potential flaws that can be exploited. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to stay one step ahead of perpetrators. The following points highlight why you should pay special attention to the security of your website.
- Protects secretive information of customers
- Prevents malware/ransomware attacks by patching any vulnerability
- Improves Search Engine Ranking of the website
- Enhances business reputation and helps engage more clients
How to Secure Your Website for Free in 2023?
Here are the steps to enhance your website security:
1) Install SSL Certificate
The first step to protect a website from attackers involves installing the famous Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate. The “lock” in the address bar of the browser indicates that an encrypted link has been established between the client and server. You can also go one step ahead and take full advantage of the SSL by ensuring that it has been enforced across each website page. Major website hosts allow the installation of SSL certificates with the help of a few clicks.
2) Use Encryption
The process of converting personal information into an encoded form by using a public or private key is called encryption. The original piece of data is called plaintext, while ciphertext is the encrypted information. It is vital to encrypt any secretive data present on the website to deter cyber criminals.
Another application of this form of cryptography is SHA256 encryption to secure your site further.
3) Protect against SQLi Attack
SQL Injection Attack is an attack vector in which the perpetrator executes malicious queries to exploit vulnerabilities of a database server. The hackers can even gain unauthorized access to the database if preventive measures are not in place. Therefore, it is vital to sanitize the user input, utilize stored procedures, etc., to protect the web application against this form of cyber-attack.
4) Protect against Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) Attack
It is a type of security attack in which the threat actor injects a malicious piece of code into the content of a trusted site. By exploiting XSS vulnerabilities, attackers can even access your location, webcam, and other personal data. Common preventive actions against such attacks include validating user input and installing a web application firewall.
5) Secure login page
The most security-sensitive page across the entire website is the login page, as it involves the username and password in the form of user input. Two vital approaches can help in securing this page: forcing users to choose strong passwords and implementing multi-factor authentication. With the aforementioned steps, you can be a lot more confident about your website’s security.
6) Be Vigilant
Implementing the above steps significantly reduces the danger of an attack vector, but that’s not all. It is ultimately your responsibility to be on the lookout for any suspicious activity across the website. You also need to regularly scan your site for any vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
With the ever-increasing number of websites, the field of web development is the most sought-after in today’s world. While it is imperative to focus on the engaging and responsive design of a website, special attention should also be paid to security to protect sensitive data and build customers’ trust.
