Utilising Windows or Linux Shared Hosting is one of the most popular hosting options among users who require affordable hosting options for their online presence.
However, the increasing cyber threats have become essential to safeguarding your Shared Hosting environment. One way to do this is to choose the best Shared Hosting plans from a reliable hosting provider in India.
And then keep reading this article as we will discuss the complete Shared Hosting security measures and approaches which will help you protect your website from potential cyber threats.
Ways to Protect Your Shared Web Hosting Server and Environment
- Choosing a Secure Hosting Provider
First of all, selecting a reputable hosting provider is always recommended. A reliable hosting provider will stay ahead to protect the hosting environment from various vulnerabilities. Thus, read the reviews, do research, and then select carefully after getting satisfied with their Window or Linux Shared Hosting plans, features and market goodwill.
- Website Security Fundamentals
Start with the basics:
- Keep Software Updated: Regularly update your content management system (e.g., WordPress) and plugins to patch known vulnerabilities.
- Use Strong Passwords: Employ complex, unique passwords for all accounts, including FTP, databases, and control panels.
- Implement Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA to add an extra layer of security and make it even more difficult for attackers to get into your hosting account.
- Regular Backups: Create backups of your website regularly. You can restore your site to a safe state in a security incident.
- Protecting Against Malware and Viruses
Malware and viruses can compromise your website’s integrity. Take these steps to guard against them:
- Install Security Plugins: Utilise security plugins or extensions specific to your content management system.
- Conduct Regular Scans: Perform routine malware scans to detect and remove malicious code.
- Safeguard Against SQL Injection: Protect your website from SQL injection attacks by using parameterised queries.
- File Upload Security: Limit file uploads to safe file types and validate user input.
- SSL Certificates for Secure Data Transfer
Secure Socket Layer (SSL) certificates encrypt data transferred between your website and users’ browsers:
- Why SSL Matters: SSL ensures data privacy and builds trust with users.
- Installing an SSL Certificate: Follow your hosting provider’s instructions to install and configure an SSL certificate.
- User Access Control
Manage user access carefully:
- Limit User Access: Grant users access only to the resources they need.
- Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Provide permission and server access by defining user roles.
- Disable Unused Accounts: Deactivate accounts that are no longer needed.
- Monitoring
Monitor your website’s activity.
- Server Monitoring: Continuously monitor server performance and resource usage.
- Incident Response Plan: Develop a plan for addressing and responding to security incidents.
- Regular Security Audits and Testing
Regularly assess your website’s security:
- Vulnerability Scanning: Scan your website for vulnerabilities.
- Penetration Testing: Conduct penetration tests to identify potential weaknesses.
- Code Review: Review your website’s code for security issues.
- Backup and Disaster Recovery
Prepare for unforeseen events:
- Creating a Backup Strategy: Develop a backup strategy that includes regular backups.
- Disaster Recovery Planning: Plan for disaster recovery scenarios.
- Off-Site Backups: Store backups off-site to prevent data loss in case of server failure.
Conclusion
Shared Hosting is an excellent choice if you are just starting and looking for a hosting option at an affordable cost. But this cost shouldn’t come with the cost of security. Hence, securing your website and hosting server is crucial to ensure consistent uptime and avoid data breaches.
Thus, carefully understand the above-mentioned measures and approaches. Apart from that, stay updated with the latest security tools, technologies and measures and invest in educating yourself and your team to stay prepared to deal with threats timely, effectively and efficiently.
