How to Keep Your Website Secure: Best Practices

Preface

Are you ready to safeguard your website from cyber threats? Website security is paramount in today’s digital landscape. With increasing online threats, ensuring your site is secure is not just an option—it’s a necessity. This guide will walk you through the best practices to keep your website secure, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced webmaster looking to reinforce your defenses. Let’s dive in!

Understanding Website Security Risks

Before implementing security measures, it’s crucial to understand the common threats your website might face. Here are some of the most prevalent risks:

• Malware Infections: Malicious software can compromise your site, spreading to visitors and damaging your reputation.
• DDoS Attacks: Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks flood your server with traffic, making your website inaccessible.
• SQL Injection: Attackers can exploit vulnerabilities in your database queries to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data.
• Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): Hackers inject malicious scripts into your website, compromising user data and site integrity.
• Brute Force Attacks: Automated attempts to guess usernames and passwords, often used to gain administrative access.

Understanding these risks will help you prioritize your security efforts and implement the most effective countermeasures.

Info: Regularly backing up your website is a critical security measure. If your site is compromised, you can restore it to a previous, safe state, minimizing potential damage and downtime.

Essential Security Practices for Every Website

Now that we know the risks, here are some essential practices that every website owner should implement.

1. Choose a Secure Hosting Provider

Your hosting provider plays a significant role in your website’s security. Opt for a reputable provider with robust security measures. Look for features like:

• Firewalls: Network firewalls protect against unauthorized access.
• DDoS Protection: Mitigation services to defend against DDoS attacks.
• Regular Security Audits: Proactive monitoring for vulnerabilities.
• Automatic Backups: Ensures your data is safe in case of emergencies.

Choosing a reliable hosting provider like Bluehost or Hostgator is a fundamental step in securing your website.

Hint: Consider using managed WordPress hosting, which offers enhanced security features and dedicated support.

2. Keep Your Software Updated

Outdated software is a prime target for hackers. Regularly update your CMS (like WordPress), themes, and plugins to patch known vulnerabilities. Here’s how to keep your software updated:

• WordPress Core: Update to the latest version via your WordPress dashboard.
• Themes: Use the Appearance > Themes section to update your installed themes.
• Plugins: Update plugins via the Plugins section in your dashboard.

// Example: Checking for updates in WordPress
function check_wordpress_updates() {
    update_core = wp_version;
    update_plugins = wp_plugin_version;
    update_themes = wp_theme_version;
}

Info: Enable automatic updates for plugins and themes to ensure you always have the latest security patches. Be sure to test the updates on a staging environment first!

3. Implement Strong Password Policies

Weak passwords are a common entry point for attackers. Enforce strong password policies for all users, including administrators, editors, and subscribers. Here are some tips for creating strong passwords:

• Length: Use a minimum of 12 characters.
• Complexity: Combine uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
• Uniqueness: Avoid using the same password across multiple accounts.
• Password Managers: Encourage users to use password managers like LastPass or 1Password.

Consider implementing two-factor authentication (2FA) for an extra layer of security. 2FA requires users to provide a second verification method, like a code from their phone, in addition to their password.

4. Install a Web Application Firewall (WAF)

A Web Application Firewall (WAF) acts as a shield between your website and potential attackers. It analyzes incoming traffic and blocks malicious requests before they reach your server.

• Cloudflare: A popular CDN and WAF provider offering free and paid plans.
• Sucuri: A comprehensive website security platform with a powerful WAF.
• Wordfence: A WordPress security plugin with a built-in WAF.

5. Use SSL/HTTPS Encryption

SSL/HTTPS encryption secures the connection between your website and your visitors’ browsers. This prevents eavesdropping and ensures data transmitted is encrypted. Here’s how to implement SSL:

• Obtain an SSL Certificate: Most hosting providers offer free SSL certificates via Let’s Encrypt. Alternatively, you can purchase a certificate from a Certificate Authority (CA).
• Install the Certificate: Follow your hosting provider’s instructions to install the SSL certificate on your server.
• Enforce HTTPS: Configure your website to redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS.

    RewriteEngine On
    RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
    RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{$REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]

Info: HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is the secure version of HTTP, the protocol over which data is sent between your browser and the website that you are connected to. The ‘S’ at the end of HTTPS stands for ‘Secure’. It means all communications between your browser and the website are encrypted.

6. Regularly Scan for Malware

Malware can find its way onto your website despite your best efforts. Regularly scan your site for malware using security tools like:

• Sucuri SiteCheck: A free online scanner to check for malware and vulnerabilities.
• Wordfence: A WordPress security plugin with malware scanning capabilities.
• Malwarebytes: A comprehensive security solution for detecting and removing malware.

If malware is detected, take immediate action to remove it and identify the source of the infection.

7. Limit File Upload Types

Allowing users to upload files to your website can introduce security risks. Limit the types of files that can be uploaded to prevent malicious files from being uploaded and executed on your server. Here’s how:

• WordPress: Use plugins like WP Security Audit Log to monitor and control file uploads.
• .htaccess: Configure your .htaccess file to restrict executable file types.

# Example: Restricting file uploads in .htaccess

    Order Allow,Deny
    Deny from all

8. Disable Directory Listing

Directory listing allows visitors to view the contents of your website’s directories, potentially exposing sensitive files. Disable directory listing to prevent unauthorized access. Here’s how:

• .htaccess: Add the Options -Indexes directive to your .htaccess file.

# Example: Disabling directory listing in .htaccess
Options -Indexes

9. Regularly Backup Your Website

Backups are your safety net in case of a security breach, hardware failure, or other disasters. Regularly back up your website and store backups in a secure, offsite location. Consider using these backup solutions:

• UpdraftPlus: A popular WordPress backup plugin.
• BackupBuddy: Another reliable WordPress backup plugin.
• Cloud Storage: Store backups on services like Amazon S3, Google Cloud Storage, or Dropbox.

// Example: Scheduling backups with UpdraftPlus (conceptual)
updraft_interval: 'daily',
updraft_files: true,
updraft_database: true

10. Stay Informed and Educated

Website security is an ongoing process. Stay informed about the latest threats and vulnerabilities and continuously educate yourself on best practices. Here are some resources:

• Security Blogs: Follow reputable security blogs like Krebs on Security [https://krebsonsecurity.com/] and The Hacker News [https://thehackernews.com/].
• Security Newsletters: Subscribe to security newsletters to receive updates on the latest threats.
• Online Courses: Take online courses on website security to deepen your knowledge.

WordPress-Specific Security Tips

If you’re using WordPress, here are some additional security tips tailored to the platform.

1. Limit Login Attempts

Brute force attacks target the login page. Limit the number of failed login attempts to prevent attackers from guessing passwords. Use plugins like:

• Login LockDown: Limits the number of failed login attempts from a specific IP address.
• WP Limit Login Attempts: Similar functionality with additional features.

2. Change the Default Login URL

Changing the default login URL (wp-admin or wp-login.php) can deter automated attacks. Use plugins like:

• WPS Hide Login: Allows you to change the login URL to something unique.

3. Disable XML-RPC

XML-RPC is an API that enables remote communication with your WordPress site. However, it can be exploited for brute force attacks. Disable XML-RPC if you don’t need it. Here’s how:

• .htaccess: Add code to your .htaccess file to disable XML-RPC.
• Plugins: Use plugins like Disable XML-RPC.

# Example: Disabling XML-RPC in .htaccess

    Order Deny,Allow
    Deny from all

4. Disable File Editing in WordPress Dashboard

Disabling file editing in the WordPress dashboard prevents attackers from modifying theme and plugin files directly. Add the following line to your wp-config.php file:

define( 'DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true );

5. Use a Security Plugin

Security plugins provide comprehensive protection for your WordPress site. Some popular options include:

• Wordfence: Offers firewall, malware scanning, and login security features.
• Sucuri Security: Provides website monitoring, malware cleanup, and firewall protection.
• All In One WP Security & Firewall: A feature-rich plugin with a wide range of security options.

Info: Regularly review your website’s security logs for suspicious activity. Security plugins often provide detailed logs that can help you identify and address potential threats.

Making Websites with Elementor

If use Elementor Page Builder you should check out the 10 Expert Tips and Tricks for Mastering Elementor Page Builder article.
WordPress offers great oppurtinities to build websites. If you want to start with a clean slate, you could follow the complete guide of How to Make a Free Website with WordPress.
With Elementor it´s easy to create inspirational showcase of beautiful websites.
To get you started with WordPress and the astra theme this complete guide should do the job: How to Install Astra Starter Templates

Conclusion

Securing your website is an ongoing journey. By implementing these best practices, you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim of cyber attacks. Remember to stay informed, regularly update your security measures, and continuously monitor your website for potential threats. Start making websites with confidence, knowing you’ve taken the necessary steps to keep your online presence secure!