With over 1.7 billion websites online, many share web servers that manage multiple sites at once. A single security breach can put all websites on the same server at risk. As online businesses grow, securing web hosting is more important than ever. Attackers often target web servers to access sensitive data. In this article, Unified Computing will explore 11 Web Hosting Security Best Practices to help protect your website and strengthen your hosting security.
Why Are Web Hosting Security Practices Important?
Web hosting security practices are essential because the internet is rife with threats. Hackers can exploit website vulnerabilities to steal sensitive information, damage your brand, and disrupt your business. Secure web hosting not only protects your site from these threats but also helps you comply with various legal and regulatory requirements.
By following key security measures, you can minimise the risks and keep your website running smoothly and securely.
11 Web Hosting Security Best Practices
1. Use Strong Passwords and Change Them Regularly
One of the simplest yet often overlooked web hosting security practices is using strong, complex passwords. Weak passwords are among the most common entry points for hackers. Ensure that your passwords include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
Additionally, it’s a good practice to update your passwords regularly. Password managers can help generate and store secure passwords, reducing the temptation to reuse them across different platforms.
2. Keep Your Software and Plugins Updated
Keeping your CMS (Content Management System), plugins, and other software up to date is one of the most effective ways to prevent vulnerabilities. Hackers often target outdated software because they know the known weaknesses.
Make sure you enable automatic updates wherever possible, especially for critical security patches. If an update can’t be automated, schedule regular checks to ensure your hosting environment stays secure.
3. Use SSL Certificates
An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate encrypts the data that is transmitted between your website and its users. This is particularly crucial for websites that handle sensitive information like login credentials, credit card numbers, or personal data.
Websites with SSL certificates are also ranked higher on Google, providing an additional incentive to adopt this important security practice. Your hosting provider can often help with acquiring and setting up an SSL certificate.
4. Regular Backups
No security practice can guarantee 100% protection, so it’s important to have a backup plan. Regularly backing up your website ensures that you can quickly recover from any security incidents, such as hacks or data corruption.
Many web hosting providers offer automated backup solutions, allowing you to restore your site from a previous version if necessary. However, it’s also wise to manually back up your data periodically and store it in multiple locations.
5. Firewall Implementation
Firewalls act as a gatekeeper between your website and incoming traffic, filtering out potentially malicious visitors. They scrutinise incoming and outgoing traffic and block access to malicious IP addresses or harmful requests.
There are two types of firewalls: hardware-based and software-based. Many hosting providers offer built-in firewall solutions or make it easy to integrate third-party ones. Setting up a Web Application Firewall (WAF) is an excellent way to protect your site from common threats like SQL injections and cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks.
6. Use Secure FTP (SFTP) Protocol
When transferring files between your computer and your web host, using the Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) instead of the standard FTP is highly recommended. SFTP encrypts the data being transferred, making it much harder for hackers to intercept and steal information.
Most modern hosting services support SFTP, and setting it up is generally straightforward. Make sure to configure it properly for all your file transfers to ensure secure data transmission.
7. Leverage DDoS Protection
A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack floods your server with massive amounts of traffic, causing it to crash or slow down, rendering your website inaccessible. DDoS protection involves setting up defence mechanisms to detect and mitigate these types of attacks.
Some web hosting providers offer DDoS protection as part of their hosting plans. You can also use specialised services like Cloudflare to provide an additional layer of security.
8. Scan for Malware Regularly
Malware can infect your site without your knowledge, compromising sensitive information or damaging your website’s reputation. Regular malware scanning is a critical web hosting security practice.
Many hosting providers offer automatic malware detection tools, but you should also consider manual scans or third-party security software for additional protection. Be sure to remove any malware as soon as it’s detected to prevent further damage.
9. Restrict File Permissions
Incorrect file permissions can give unauthorised users access to critical areas of your website. By restricting file permissions, you can limit who can read, write, or execute files in your hosting environment.
For example, you can configure your web server to make files writable only by the admin and readable by everyone else. Restricting file permissions is a powerful way to protect your website from unauthorised access and tampering.
10. Monitor Server Logs
Server logs contain valuable information about your website’s activity, including who accessed it and from where. Regularly reviewing these logs can help you detect suspicious activities early, such as repeated login attempts or access from unusual IP addresses.
Monitoring your server logs will allow you to take timely action if you spot something abnormal, potentially saving your site from a major security incident.
11. Choose a Secure Hosting Provider
Not all web hosting providers are created equal when it comes to security. Choosing a provider that prioritises security features like automatic backups, SSL support, firewall protections, and 24/7 monitoring is a fundamental step in implementing web hosting security practices.
Before settling on a host, review their security policies, read user reviews, and ensure they offer the services and support you need to protect your site.
Conclusion
Enhancing web host security is critical for safeguarding your business’s reputation and protecting sensitive information. As we’ve covered in this article, choosing a hosting provider that offers robust security measures—like software protection, SSL certificates, regular backups, and DDoS defence—is just the first step.
It’s equally important to implement best practices, such as regular backups, removing unused applications, updating software, scanning for malware, and regularly changing passwords. We hope this guide has provided valuable insights into keeping your website and your clients’ sites secure. If you’re ready to take your web hosting security to the next level, consider exploring Unified Computing’s tailored solutions for comprehensive protection. Feel free to reach out with any questions!