With the abundance of developers and content management systems (CMS), web development in the Philippines has become more accessible, even for non-tech-savvy users. Although creating and launching a website is now uncomplicated, ensuring its security amidst evolving cyber threats is hardly effortless.
Discover how to ensure your website remains secure in the face of multiple cyber threats.
I. An Overview of Website Security
Having and launching your site is not the dead-end of owning a website. With the rising data breach incidents in the Philippines, hitting roughly 0.14 million during the fourth quarter of 2023, users navigating your page require assurance that the data they input and the information you collect do not become vulnerable once a hacker infiltrates your system. This situation is where the importance of website security remains necessary.
ALSO READ: Creating A Website in The Philippines: A Beginner’s Guide to Website Development
However, what does website security actually entail?
Website security refers to any action or measures a website owner places to prevent external actors from taking control of their website. It also ensures that the website’s and the users’ data remain inaccessible to external actors that might exploit it.
In achieving optimal website security, website owners must know the ins and outs of cyber threats that might attack their page, as well as the best preventive practices to hinder these threats.
II. 4 Common Website Threats
Any website, no matter how little or large its reach is, is vulnerable to cyber threats that may come along with a weakly-secured site. Cyber threats vary in origin, their method of disrupting your site, and their impact on your page. Below are the common cyber threats website developers and owners should look out for:
1. DDoS and DoS attacks
Denial of Service (DoS) and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) threats aim to cause massive traffic volume to a website’s network, temporarily hindering its availability to organic users. In DoS, an attack is caused by a single source, whether a computer or a server. In DDoS, the attack is coming from multiple sources, often known as botnets, which are other compromised devices operating under the control of an attacker. The following are some examples of DoS and DDoS attacks:
-
- Teardrop Attack: A teardrop attack is a DoS attack where the attacker sends out multiple data, including broken-down data fragments, that a website’s server does not know how to process, ultimately slowing down the service.
- Flooding Attack: Flooding attack is another DoS attack where an attacker sends out multiple connection requests to a server, but does not return the contact once the server attempts to verify the connection. Flooding attacks can lead to website crashes due to the many uncompleted connection requests.
- Volumetric Attack: A volumetric attack is a type of DDoS attack where the attacker targets the website’s bandwidth resources and sends out a high volume of request packets, overwhelming the server with echo requests which ultimately ceases its operation.
A website exposed to DoS and DDoS attacks can suffer significant downtime and financial loss, so having detection systems and firewalls is necessary to counteract these attacks.
2. Malware
Malicious software, or malware, pertains to the many software forms that cause disruption, damage, and unauthorized access to a website. Spreading malware is done through various means, including digital or physical attachments. Below are the common malware distributed to websites.
-
- Adware: Adware is typically unwanted and malicious advertising originating from an endpoint. Adware may lead to your website’s visitors coming across and downloading harmful applications.
- Viruses: Viruses originate from an executable file which then spreads out to other files and website pages, corrupting them and rendering them inoperational.
- Worms: Worms exploit operating systems’ vulnerability, allowing them to spread from one computer to another. Worms consume bandwidth and overload a system, slowing it down and making it unresponsive.
Malware can lead to a website owner completely losing access to their site, as well as users’ information being at risk. Preventive measures for malware attacks can include installing antivirus and antimalware applications on the units that the website is being operated on.
3. Injection Attacks
Injection attacks happen when a hacker inserts malicious codes and commands into a website’s input fields, manipulating its behavior while simultaneously accessing the website’s information. The two most common injection attacks are as follows:
-
- SQL Injection (SQLi): SQLi attacks can happen when an external actor manipulates or injects modified SQL codes into vulnerable servers, leading to access to confidential data.
- Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): XSS refers to the process of injecting malicious code via a website’s form fields, leading to attackers hijacking a user’s sessions and tracking their data.
Injection attacks leave a website vulnerable to information leaks, unauthorized access, and even system damage, so preventing these attacks through security patches and updates is necessary.
4. Defacement
Defacement is a pretty straightforward cyber attack: it aims to replace the website’s appearance and content with another’s, which are often malicious and damaging in nature. Defacement can happen due to website vulnerabilities, including easy access or outdated software.
A defaced website is the most evident cyber attack on the users’ ends, often discouraging them from accessing your website, leading to loss of engagements and a tarnished reputation. Limiting website access is an efficient preventive measure for this attack.
III. 6 Website Security Measures and Best Practices
Cyber threats may be diverse, but the preventive measures combating them stand the same. Aside from considering the website aesthetics and functionality, web development should also include initiating and performing these security measures:
1. Login Authentication
The journey to a more secure website starts with having a thorough login for website owners and contributors. Require every website administrator to craft a strong password combining letters, numbers, and special characters. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) should also be implemented to ensure that every individual requesting site access is identified and authorized.
2. SSL/TLS Certificate
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) certificates are digital certificates considered as basic security measures, and many search engines highly regard websites carrying these certifications. These certificates ensure that the data collected by your website remains confidential as it is being transmitted to your server, lowering the chance of tampering from external actors. Website owners can purchase these certificates from SSL providers or certificate authorities.
3. Web Application Firewall
Web Application Firewall (WAF) is another defense layer specifically efficient in preventing injection attacks. A WAF is a network appliance that can either be network-, cloud-, or host-based. WAF’s core purpose is to inspect and filter incoming website traffic, identifying and preventing cyber attacks before they even reach the main site. Website owners can either construct their own WAF software or purchase a pre-programmed application from providers.
4. Software Updates
Websites, specifically those hosted by CMS, are more vulnerable to cyber attacks due to many plugins and third-party applications pushed by these systems. Ensuring all your plugins are regularly updated with relevant security patches is necessary to bridge the security gaps present in these plugins and applications. Most CMS notifies about software updates, so website owners only need to adhere to its installation process to remain secure.
ALSO READ: Understanding Website Maintenance and Its Importance
5. Content Delivery Network
Content Delivery Network (CDN) is typically used to speed up web content delivery by hosting the site through multiple servers closer to the website user. However, CDN can also be helpful in distributing traffic, particularly during a DDoS attack. By hosting the website through various servers, the site can manage even large volumes of traffic, assuring the website’s accessibility. Website owners can build their own CDN or purchase from different suppliers.
6. Website Scanner
A website scanner automatically scans your page, looking for malware or vulnerabilities and working on flagging or removing them. Think of a website scanner as an automated alarm system that blasts whenever your site comes in contact with malicious activities. Many website scanners are available to purchase from website security providers.
IV. 5 Benefits of a Secured Website
Securing a website can surely be demanding, but achieving this can reap many advantages for website owners and visitors alike.
1. Continuous Website Operation
Cyber threats pose major risks for website uptime, so having a secure website that repels these threats can significantly improve your website’s operation and functionality, allowing users to browse through your content and offering more seamlessly.
2. Protection of Customer Data
Aside from making your own data vulnerable, cyber threats also endanger customer data. By securing your website, you can guarantee that your patrons’ data remain safe and available to you alone, fostering trust in your brand and protecting your reputation.
3. Boosting SEO Rankings
A website that has been tampered with by a cyber attack can ultimately lose search engines’ trust, lowering your SEO rankings and hindering you from reaching more organic views and engagements. A secured website assures that your site remains free from violations that can undo all your SEO-boosting efforts.
4. Generating Customer Traffic
A website free from cyber threats encourages users to visit or continue exploring, generating traffic to your pages. As customers continue to explore your site, they may come across your services or products, ultimately leading to engagements and even revenue.
5. Futureproofing Your Cybersite
Cyber attacks continue to change as the digital landscape grows. Fortifying your website’s defenses early on can ensure that even if cyber threats develop, your website can respond and address them accordingly.
Conclusion
With the rise of cyberattacks and the abundance of methods to commence harm to a website, web development should now encompass not just functionality and aesthetics, but also security. As website owners navigate this demanding ordeal, employing professional website development services can be your ally in maintaining a visitor-friendly site. After all, your website is not only a platform to showcase your products and services but also a visual representation of your brand in the digital landscape.
Contact OOm PH at +639173262104 and allow us to craft a secured website that ensures resilience amidst the many cyber threats in the Philippine digital landscape.
