Five Checks for Your Website’s Security

As websites grow increasingly complex, the importance of robust website security checks cannot be overstated. By identifying vulnerabilities and addressing them, businesses and individuals can safeguard their digital assets. Here are five essential checks to help with your website’s defences.

Don’t Allow Injections

SQL injection attacks exploit vulnerabilities in a website’s database queries, potentially allowing hackers to access sensitive data. To prevent this, always use prepared statements or equivalent measures to separate user inputs from the database structure. Additionally, avoid storing sensitive data, like passwords, in plain text. Instead, use secure hashing techniques, such as a salted hash, to protect user information.

Handling of Errors

Displaying detailed error messages on your live website can expose sensitive information, such as server configurations or database details, to attackers. While useful during development, these messages should be replaced with user-friendly error pages before launching the site. Ensure any error messages on the live site provide enough context to assist users without revealing technical details.

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Don’t Trust Anyone

Your web server must never assume incoming data is safe. Implement server-side validation to ensure all input, from login credentials to file uploads, is thoroughly checked for malicious intent. Don’t forget less obvious data sources, such as cookies or URL parameters, which are common targets for attackers.

Look Out for Data Outputs

Cross-site scripting – XSS – attacks involve embedding malicious scripts in website content, potentially allowing attackers to impersonate users or steal data. Mitigate this risk by properly sanitising all data outputs and consulting with your developer to implement robust XSS protections. XSS vulnerabilities remain a significant threat, even for well-established platforms.

Use a Secure Connection

A secure sockets layer, or SSL, certificate ensures encrypted communication between your website and its users, preventing data interception by malicious actors. The familiar padlock icon in the browser signifies SSL encryption, fostering trust among visitors. Without SSL, your website risks exposure to attacks, especially on public Wi-Fi networks.