How to Protect Yourself Online: All About Website Security
The Internet gives us access to unlimited opportunities, but with this comes a certain risk. Not all sites on the network are safe, and visiting some of them can lead to serious consequences, such as leaking personal data, infecting your computer with viruses or financial losses. To avoid such troubles, it is important to learn to recognize the signs of unsafe web resources and take measures to protect yourself and your data.
Safe website: how to check and how to organize?
Every user needs to be able to recognize suspicious sites and protect themselves from potential threats that they may carry. To do this, when visiting absolutely any resource on the Internet:
- Pay attention to the URL. This is the first step - check the link. If the browser line says –https://– and the lock icon is visible - this is a good sign. And if the URL looks like something known, but with some errors or incomprehensible symbols - leave there.
- Scan the site for viruses. There are good services like VirusTotal or Google Safe Browsing that will immediately tell you if the site is safe. Before you go - better to check, so as not to risk it.
- Analyze the design and content. If the site looks like a picture from the early 2000s, is stuffed with errors and advertising - this is an alarm bell. Decent and safe sites usually look stylish and neat, because professionals are responsible for their development.
- Check the contacts. Reliable sites always leave real contacts - address, phone number, email. If this is not there or the information is not indicated or does not correspond to reality - be wary. And if there is no privacy policy, it is better to look for another resource.
- Turn on antivirus and extensions. Antivirus and special browser extensions - your best friends on the Internet. They immediately block suspicious sites and warn if something is wrong.
Knowing how and being able to recognize dangerous sites - a must have skill in the Internet era. By regularly checking URLs, scanning websites and critically assessing their appearance, you can greatly reduce your chances of running into scammers.
How to make your website secure: top tips for owners
If you are the owner of a web resource, its protection should be your top priority. Every year there are more and more attacks, so it is important to prepare in advance and protect your site and the data of your clients-users. Below are several basic steps that will help you do this:
- Install SSL-certificate. SSL-certificate is the encryption of data between your site and the users' device. It not only protects, but also improves SEO.
- Keep your software up to date. Updating your software is like regularly cleaning your apartment. No one likes it, but you can't do without it. Update your CMS, plugins, themes - all this will close vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit.
- Set complex passwords and enable 2FA. If your password is "123456", consider that you are leaving the door open, hackers will come in sooner or later. Use complex combinations and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) to strengthen your protection.
- Make backups. Website backups are your insurance. Store them on a separate server or in the cloud, and do it regularly.
- Restrict access to the admin panel. The fewer people who can log into the admin panel, the better. Grant access temporarily and only to trusted people, if necessary.
- Enable Web Application Firewall (WAF). This is your protector from all sorts of SQL injections and XSS attacks. It filters traffic and blocks suspicious hacking attempts.
- Monitor activity on the site. Monitor what is happening on the site using analytical tools. This will help you notice suspicious activity in time.
- Limit file uploads and protect the site from DDoS attacks. If the site allows you to upload files, monitor their size and types. And protection from DDoS attacks will help avoid server overload.
With the constant growth of cyber attacks and the spread of malware, it is important to actively and promptly take measures to protect your site and user data.
How does a private VPN server help in protection?
Using a private VPN server adds an extra layer of protection when working on the Internet. VPN hides your real IP-address and encrypts transmitted data, which is especially important when visiting suspicious sites. In combination with the methods for checking the security of sites described in this material, a private VPN server significantly reduces the risk of data leakage and helps maintain privacy on the Internet.
For site owners, using a private VPN server allows you to organize effective protection of administrative access, hide your real IP-address, encrypt data and control traffic. As a result, the site and its users receive a high level of security, which contributes to the stable and safe operation of the resource.
You can buy a private VPN server at a bargain price on Private VPN server. On our site you will also find many useful and varied materials about VPN technologies that will help you choose the most suitable option for any purpose.