How to Ensure Web Hosting Security: 6 Best Practices

As cyber threats grow in complexity, the significance of web hosting security cannot be overstated. It is essential to guarantee that your website is hosted on a secure platform and adheres to optimal security protocols.

This article delves into the necessary security features that a web hosting service should possess. It also provides valuable tips on safeguarding your website and your client’s sites from hackers, malware, and various online threats.

1. Update software and operating systems

Regularly maintaining and updating software and operating systems (OS) is the most crucial security measure for your server hosting. These updates include essential fixes for vulnerabilities and minor bug corrections. It is important to promptly install updates because software vulnerabilities become public knowledge.

Failing to keep the operating system and other server software up to date will inevitably expose it to common vulnerabilities. Therefore, businesses should establish a plan to regularly execute updates and patches within a reasonable timeframe to ensure continuous security.

2. Change passwords from time to time

Implementing regular password changes is crucial for maintaining security and safeguarding sensitive information on your website.

It is advisable to change passwords every three to six months to mitigate the risk of attackers exploiting weak passwords. You cansimplify the process by utilizing a password manager to generate and securely store all passwords. This practice helps prevent password exhaustion and the habit of reusing passwords across multiple accounts.

3. Eliminate unutilized applications

Web hosting and applications are susceptible to vulnerabilities stemming from coding deficiencies, misconfigured web servers, flawed design, or inadequate form validation, which can potentially grant illicit access to your websites. Thus, it becomes imperative to consistently scrutinize your applications and eradicate any dormant or compromised ones. The act of deleting outdated and unused themes and plugins will further fortify the security of your WordPress platform.

4. Secure SSL/TLS Connections

To safeguard users against the perils of man-in-the-middle attacks, every connection to the web host must be encrypted. Particularly when accessing sites through public Wi-Fi networks, users inadvertently expose themselves to the risk of data interception and theft. By enforcing an encrypted connection to the server, and employing a robust and cryptographically secure cipher, the integrity of user data is preserved, shielding it from prying eyes and potential compromise of user accounts.

5. Scan for Malware

To safeguard your website and maintain its integrity, it is crucial to scan your website files for malware. Malicious software can create or manipulate files, compromising the security of your website and potentially resulting in data breaches. In cases where your web host does not provide built-in website security tools, there are third-party software options available that specialize in checking websites for viruses and eliminating any detected threats.

Additionally, it is advisable to install WordPress security plugins that facilitate regular malware scanning, specifically designed for websites utilizing the WordPress platform. By taking these proactive measures, you can effectively minimize the risk of malware compromising your website’s functionality and reputation.

6. Use SFTP Instead of FTP

To ensure the security of data transfers, it is highly recommended to replace traditional File Transfer Protocol (FTP) with Secure FTP (SFTP). Unlike FTP, which transfers data in cleartext, SFTP employs encryption to protect sensitive information. This eliminates the risks associated with man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks and data eavesdropping.

Rather than hosting an FTP server for customers to upload and share files, it is advisable to utilize SFTP as a more secure alternative. By leveraging SFTP, all file transfers occur over an encrypted channel, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of the transmitted data. This proactive measure significantly mitigates the vulnerabilities present in FTP, providing a safer environment for file exchange and protecting customers from potential security breaches.

Conclusion

It is important to remember that security is an ongoing process that requires continuous vigilance and proactive measures to outsmart cybercriminals. Prioritizing web hosting security establishes a solid foundation for your online presence and creates a safe environment for your visitors and customers. For a comprehensive solution to all your website needs, consider selecting a reputable domain name registrar and web hosting service provider like Vodien. In addition to robust web hosting security, Vodien offers email protection, DDoS protection, unlimited data, a 99.9% uptime guarantee, and file backups.

Hope this blog was insightful for you.