Nobody wants to be hacked and have their website or blog exploited. Cyber Attacks exploit the usage of malicious codes in order to modify computer logic, data, and code. A resulting cyber-attack may lead to data being compromised, ensuing cyber crimes such as information and identity theft.
Hackers are always vying for a new victim. Protecting your sensitive data, online activities, and information is a must. It is proven that WordPress is often targeted by hackers. Studies show that 90 percent of websites that have been infected came from WordPress.
Having precautionary measures on your website is essential. One way is to be smart about the security of your website. So, get your firewall freeware always activated, sharpen your senses, and be ready to harden the security of your WordPress.
Use Two-Factor Authentication
If you are not using two-factor authentication in your WordPress, you better start now. You can use a plugin such as Google Authenticator to set up a two-factor authentication feature on your site. It means that logging in does require not only your password but also the code generated by a mobile application in order to enter your site. In this case, you can heighten the security in your WordPress and also keeping your site not vulnerable to brute-force attacks.
Back-Up Plugin
One thing that will help you regain your file in case you are hacked is the backup plugin. It is better to prepare for the worse that might happen. Having a backup system is a necessity. A plugin such as UpdraftPlus will help you create a backup schedule that is regular. One another thing is to remember that you should store your backup files that are off the site so it will not also be infected. So, if you do not have this plugin right now, you may want to reconsider.
Use An Antivirus Software
Aside from just installing antivirus software on your device, it is also essential to keep your antivirus software up to date since it plays a crucial role in averting viruses from ruining your computer. Installing antivirus software will help you attain maximum cybersecurity on your device. It is common knowledge that almost all of the antivirus software will defend your computer from the harm of malware, worms, trojans, viruses, and rootkits.
Prevent Hotlinking
Well, hotlinking is not a form of a security breach as such. But another website using your URL site is not a great idea. Yes, that is what hotlinking is all about. Moreover, hotlinking can also be considered as theft. In this case, hotlinking may lead to severe and unexpected costs since your hosting bill can skyrocket when the site that stole your image is receiving tons of traffic.
Learn to Recognize Suspicious Activities
Identifying cyber attacks is not an easy task to manage since some hackers mastered the art of not conspicuously treading the internet world without leaving a trace. Hackers will utilize your accounts and devices in being a part of a botnet—which is utilized to make a Distributed Denial of Service attack or commonly referred to as DDoS attack.
Moreover, hackers can steal your identity and use it to deceive others. These kinds of activities may be subtle, but it leaves a trail, and it could be an unauthorized connection or questionable and doubtful messages. If you see these kinds of things happening, you should secure your account and change your password.
Update Everything
Everything every day is continuously updating, may it be in terms of antivirus or setting security or system update. It is crucial to keep those things up to date since it helps to keep the hackers at bay and other malware and viruses from attacking your WordPress. By actually keeping your stuff up to date, it decreases your risk of being a victim of cyber attacks and so increasing your cybersecurity.
Install a Good and Trustworthy Website Security Tools
One of the most significant usages of a website security tool is its capability to do a website scanning at periodic intervals. Yes, that is right. This is in order to identify if suspicious activity is happening. When the website security tool has detected suspicious activity, it will instantly bring it to the attention of the security experts. Also, the main person who is present in the organization will receive an alert too.
Thus, website security tools will help identify and remove the malware that is trying to affect or invade your website. Here are a few of the proven and tested website security tools that have survived the test of time, and that is free. SecurityHeaders.io, Netsparker, this is good in terms of XSS and SQL Injection. OpenVAS which is the most advanced security scanner with over 25,000 scans. Lastly is the Xenotix XSS Exploit Framework, a tool that includes a lot of selection of XSS attacks.
Strong Passwords
It is already embedded in our minds that we should always stick in using complex passwords in any of our accounts. It is inherent to use a strong password in order to protect your server and website from unwanted malware and hackers that will come up your way and try to seize your server.
Thus, enforcing a strong password requirement where, for example, passwords should be in a minimum of eight characters that also includes a number and an uppercase letter. This will increase the protection of your information, data, and especially your site.
Takeaway
Protecting your website, data, and information from these kinds of crime is vital. It is quintessential not to store credit card information and details on any website. It is always to be vigilant in order to recognize whether you are being attacked or not. Your passwords should be set with complexity to protect your server from hackers. Do not forget to install antivirus software and security tools since it will always be an effective way to protect the site from harm.