How to make your website more secure for less money?

The number of websites on the Internet is constantly growing and this is due to the fact that in our time not only a large company can have its own website, but also any ordinary person who wants to share his creativity or is developing his own project or writing stories.
But with cyber threats on the rise, protecting your website from malicious attacks is critical to maintaining the trust of your users and protecting sensitive data. However, for many website owners, the cost of implementing strong security measures can be prohibitive. In this article, we'll look at cost-effective strategies to make your site safer without breaking the bank.

Understanding the main types of cyber threats

Before diving into specific security measures, it's important to understand the different types of threats your website may face. The most common of them are:

      Malware infection. Malicious software can compromise the integrity of your website and steal sensitive information.
      DDoS attacks. Distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks can overwhelm your site with traffic, making it unavailable to legitimate users.
      SQL injection: Attackers exploit vulnerabilities in your website code to gain unauthorized access to your database.
      Cross-site scripting (XSS). Attackers inject malicious scripts into your web pages, compromising the security of your users' browsers.

By becoming more familiar with each of these threats, you can better prioritize your website security efforts and allocate your resources effectively.

Choosing the right hosting

Hosting is the basis for the creation and development of any website, because it is on the servers of the hosting company that your website data will be placed. And it is with the choice of hosting that one should begin to resolve the issue of security, since the correct choice of hosting service provider can solve many problems that could arise later, at other levels.

    Physical access to the server. Control of physical access to the server is the first level of protection that any self-respecting data center provides. 3v-Hosting servers are located in the most secure data centers in Ukraine, the Netherlands and the USA.
    Type of hosting. Choosing the type of hosting to host your website is also important, as it allows you to select hosting parameters that correspond to the expected load parameters of your website. This allows you to save on web hosting and use the saved funds for other needs. The most popular choice for hosting a website now is Virtual Servers (VPS), which provide high performance but cost much less than dedicated server hosting.
    Support service. One of the most important parameters when choosing hosting should be the support service, which in a critical situation, for example in the event of a cyber attack, will be able to minimize risks and provide qualified assistance in restoring the functionality of your site.
    Backups. If the hosting provider makes backups of your server, this is an additional pleasant bonus when purchasing hosting. For example, in 3v-Hosting, backups of each VPS server are made daily! And this is the last chance to restore files and site operation if all previous steps to ensure cybersecurity did not help. For this reason, many do not pay special attention to this parameter and in vain, because when the irreparable happens and there are no backups, then the cost of restoring the site becomes too high.

By choosing the right web hosting and setting it up taking into account our recommendations outlined in this article, you are already halfway to solving the main problem.

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Implement strong authentication mechanisms

One of the most cost-effective ways to improve website security is to implement strong authentication mechanisms. It includes:

      Multi-factor authentication (MFA). Require users to provide multiple forms of identification, such as a password and a one-time code sent to their mobile device.
      Password Policy. Ensure password complexity requirements are maintained and passwords are changed regularly to prevent unauthorized access.
      Secure login pages: Use HTTPS using SSL certificates to encrypt data sent between the user's browser and your website server, protecting login credentials from interception.

By strengthening your authentication mechanisms, you can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access to your site.

Keeping your software up to date

Outdated software, including content management systems (CMS), plugins, and server software, are a common entry point for attackers. Regular software updates ensure that known vulnerabilities are quickly addressed. Please note the following:

      Automatic Updates: Enable automatic updates for your CMS and plugins to ensure security patches are applied quickly.
      Regular audits: Conduct regular audits of your website software to ensure vulnerabilities are identified and addressed promptly.
      Supplier support. Select software providers that provide timely security updates and support services to effectively mitigate security risks.

By remaining vigilant and keeping your software up to date, you can minimize the risk of exploitation by cyber attackers.

Implementing Web Application Firewalls (WAF)

A web application firewall (WAF) acts as a barrier between your website and the Internet, filtering malicious traffic and preventing common attacks. Please note the following:

      Cloud services WAF. Many cloud providers offer cost-effective WAF services that can be deployed with minimal configuration.
      Open source WAF solutions. Explore open source WAF solutions that provide strong protection against common web application attacks.
      Custom rulesets. Configure WAF rule sets to filter specific types of malicious traffic targeting your website.

By implementing a WAF, you can add an extra layer of protection to your website without spending any money. And if you have at least a little knowledge of working with Linux servers, then you can independently configure such powerful tools as IPTABLES or the newer nftables - absolutely free.

Regular security audits and penetration testing

Regular security audits and penetration testing help identify vulnerabilities in your website's infrastructure and code. Please note the following:

      Automatic scanning tools. Use automated scanning tools to identify common security vulnerabilities such as SQL injection and XSS.
      Manual code reviews: Conduct manual code reviews to identify logic errors and other vulnerabilities that may be missed by automated tools.
      Penetration testing: Hire security experts to conduct penetration tests on your website by simulating real-life attack scenarios.

By proactively identifying and addressing security vulnerabilities, you can minimize the risk of a successful cyberattack.

Conclusion

While safeguarding your website against cyber threats may seem like a daunting task, it doesn't have to break the bank. By understanding the threat landscape, implementing strong authentication mechanisms, keeping your software up-to-date, deploying Web Application Firewalls, and conducting regular security audits, you can enhance the security of your website without incurring significant costs. Remember, investing in website security is an investment in the trust and integrity of your online presence.