In today’s digital world, the security of a company’s website is important not only for user data but also for its success. If a website is not protected properly, it can lead to serious problems such as losing user as well as owner information that can cause some serious consequences.
Hackers try to break into websites for various reasons such as to know how the site looks internally, for stealing information, or using the website to do illegal stuff. But it can be secured by following the measures provided below.
In this guide, we will discover:
- Why Do Companies Need to Protect Their Websites from Hackers?
- What are the Reasons Behind Hackers Hacking Websites?
- What are the Methods Used by Hackers to Hack Websites?
- How to Protect a Website from Hackers?
Why Do Companies Need to Protect Their Websites from Hackers?
A secure website shields user data and also boosts the search engine ranking of a website. Failure to safeguard the website against hacker attacks can lead to market media coverage, market exit, and less growth. All in all, website security is a key factor for the ongoing success of a company.
What are the Reasons Behind Hackers Hacking Websites?
There can be several reasons that made the hackers hack the websites. Some of them are given below:
- Modify the appearance of your website.
- Making websites unavailable or inaccessible for users.
- Steal information from your website including databases, financial records, and credit card details.
- Utilize your server to distribute illegal files.
- Use your server to forward webmail spam.
What are the Methods Used by Hackers to Hack Websites?
Here, we have listed some of the methods that are utilized by hackers to hack websites:
1. Bait and Switch Attack
It is one of the most common methods used by hackers to hack websites. In this method, the hacker purchases promotional opportunities or ad spots on some famous website. Once a user on that website clicks on the ad the malware is automatically installed on the system which could lead to the access of hackers to your website.
2. SQL Injection
This type of attack goes after weaknesses in a website’s databases. If a website has any weaknesses, hackers can use basic codes to grab information from the databases. These codes trick the system into thinking they are valid requests, granting access to the database.
3. Cookie Theft
Even though it may not seem harmful, this attack can swipe all your important stuff. When you are surfing the web, websites save loads of cookies on your computer. These cookies hold a bunch of important information, like your passwords and payment details. If hackers grab these cookies, they can either take all that info or pretend to be you online.
How to Protect a Website From Hackers?
Several ways can be used to protect a website from hackers, such as:
1. Check Passwords
You can secure your website from hacker attacks by using a strong password that should be 8 characters mixed with alphabets, digits, and special characters. The password should not refer to any of your personal information.
If you want more security using passwords you can use a CMS or Content Management System that has many features to protect your website against hacker attacks. Moreover, you can go for multiple hash algorithms, such as crypt and script to minimize the threat of hacker attacks.
2. Avoid File Uploads
When a website is handled by multiple users there is a big risk that they might upload a file or image that looks harmless but can cause a big harm to your website.
The hackers can use that file to enter and handle the authority of your website by using multiple tricks such as double extension and much more. So, one way of protecting your website from it is by removing the ability for uploaded files to run like a program.
3. Use HTTPS
If you want to improve your website security you can use HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol). It is considered the foundation of data communication on the World Wide Web which helps to keep your information safe when you are on a website.
By using HTTP only the right users can get into your website and keep information private by encrypting it. It is also useful for defending against online attacks that could damage your website’s security.
4. Upgrade Your Software
Check for software updates regularly to maintain your website security as new updates bring more features that help the website owner protect their websites against illegal access. This proactive move can lessen the risk of your website being a victim of hackers.
5. Install Good Firewall
A firewall acts as a barrier that is used to observe and filter the network traffic according to the predefined security rules. Therefore, by installing a good firewall your website will not have any unintended visitors and it will also control the outgoing traffic and much more.
6. Take Regular Backups
A website backup is a clone of the data, files, and content that make up the website. Websites should also be backed up daily. This will help you in case a hacker tries to mess up your website then you have the advantage of fixing everything and making your site as good as new.
7. Get Websites Security Tools
After applying all the above security measures, the last thing you have to do is to check whether by applying the measures your website is secured or not by using security tools and running regular checks.
Conclusion
Nowadays, securing your website is important. If it is not protected, you could lose important stuff and customers. Hackers use sneaky methods, but you can defend your site by having strong passwords, being careful with file uploads, using HTTPS, updating software, installing a good firewall, taking backups, and using security tools.
