Remember the good ole days when we had to shut down our phone lines just to use the internet to look up the meaning of what a hacker even is? How far we have come since then…
Cyber security has been a constant since the beginning of this new technological world we live in, and now more than ever, it is crucial to understand just how important it is to invest and stay up to date on the latest security features available to keep you and your online business safe.
The “hackers” of the world are those tricky internet scoundrels that are able to attack your online presence and potentially destroy all of your company credibility. After getting your brand-new website up and running, either on your own or with a little help from us here at Interactive Palette, the last thing you want is for it to be hacked and the integrity of your new and improved website to become compromised…
Luckily for you (and more importantly your business) there are a multitude of ways to prevent these hackers from accessing your website!
Stay Up To Date!
Always be sure to update your software whenever available. These updates are simple, but sure ways to keep your server safe. In particular, when looking at a CMS or forum run websites, this is especially important. Click here for some further information on computer updates.
Pay Attention To SQL Injection Attacks!
Now this one is a little more complicated to understand, but it is certainly an important thing to watch… It’s a part of your website’s security that allows a hacker to interfere with the queries within the database. Here is some detailed information on ways to watch out for this particular site attack.
Watch Out For XSS Attacks Which Will Cause Much More Than XS Damage!
Cross-site scripting is just another way for hackers to change page content and steal information by using hacker JavaScript injections. One of the best ways to avoid this issue is through the use of CSP (Content Security Policy) which limits and can determine how and what Javascript is allowed on your domain.
Use Minimal Descriptions For Your Website Error Messages To Ensure You Aren’t Giving Away Too Much Information To Potential Hackers Trying To Decode Your Domain Holes.
It’s almost like trying to fit your words into these tiny boxes that Twitter provides – keep things short, sweet and to the point!
Validate As Much As You Can On Both The Server And Browser End Of Your Domain.
You know how we have about 5 different ways to get into our phones nowadays? Think about it like that, the more levels of security, the safer you are from someone you don’t want to getting in.
Check Your Passwords!
Seems like a common-sense request, but remembering the importance of our passwords is one of the easiest and most universal ways to maintain security against hackers. It is always suggested that you use highly encrypted personal passwords (meaning that you use more complicated passwords with capital letters, character requirements, and symbols) when setting up your own information, but also keep in mind that if you have a website where your clients need to have a login to access their information, to suggest they do exactly the same to keep both you and your client safe.
Avoid File Uploads At All Costs!
While you may have some instances where you will want or need your clients/customers to upload files, it is wise to avoid this as much as possible. File uploads are a very simple way for hackers to upload a virus/malware/etc right onto your website basically by invitation. If you are a business that needs or allows files to be uploaded to the site it is highly suggested that you use a firewall to protect against any suspicious uploads.
Register Your Website As An HTTPS
One of the easiest ways for you to protect your clients and make them feel comfortable using your website is through using a secure HTTPS web address as this ensures that they are being directed to your site without any sort of interruptions. Use this website to assist you in your certificates to enable your website’s HTTPS set up. Keep in mind too that not only does this add an additional layer of security to your website, but it also a great way to boost your ratings in Google/SEO searches as well!
Last But Not Least – Get Yourself Some Website Security Tools!
There are so many free web tools available to help you with your website security that after doing all this other work, it would just seem silly not to utilize this free service too. A simple Google search can connect you to some great resources, but to get you started to find a helpful site to revisit the SQL injection and XSS we spoke about earlier, take a look here.
Long and short of website security is that it is one of the most important aspects of your online presence. The last thing you want is for your website to be hacked and all of the time, money, and effort you spent perfecting your web page goes to waste. If you choose to work with us here at Interactive Palette you will surely want to show your website to as many people as possible, but it is imperative to do everything possible to make sure that a hacker doesn’t end up being one of those people! Take the time to look into the resources above and start taking the steps today to protect your website from ever becoming “one of those sites that used to be great” and instead keep your website safe and secure.
https://www.creativebloq.com/web-design/website-security-tips-protect-your-site-7122853
https://portswigger.net/web-security/sql-injection
Contact Info:
Kevin McNally
Interactive Palette
Mailing: P.O. Box 1007
Fall River, MA 02722
Physical: 25 Braintree Hill Park
Braintree, MA 02184
interactivepalette.com
(781) 930-3199
sales@interactivepalette.com