10 Ways to Protect Your Website from Cyberattacks

Introduction

Cyberattacks are a growing threat to businesses of all sizes. In 2022, there were over 623 million cyberattacks reported worldwide, a 15% increase from 2021. These attacks can damage your website, steal your data, and even shut down your business.

There are many different types of cyberattacks, but some of the most common include:

• Malware: This is software that is designed to harm your computer or network. Malware can be installed on your computer through a variety of ways, such as clicking on a malicious link in an email, opening an infected attachment, or downloading a file from an untrusted source.
• Phishing: This is a type of social engineering attack that involves sending emails or text messages that appear to be from a legitimate source, such as your bank or credit card company. The emails or text messages will often contain a link that, when clicked, will take you to a fake website that looks like the real website. Once you enter your personal information on the fake website, the hacker can steal it.
• DDoS attacks: These attacks involve flooding your website with so much traffic that it becomes unavailable to legitimate users. DDoS attacks can be carried out using a variety of methods, such as using botnets or rented servers.
• SQL injection: This is a type of attack that involves injecting malicious code into a website’s database. This code can then be used to steal data from the database or to gain unauthorized access to the website.
• Cross-site scripting: This is a type of attack that involves injecting malicious code into a website’s code. This code can then be used to steal cookies or other sensitive information from the user’s browser.

Protecting Your Website from cyberattacks

One of the most frequent question we get is “What are the major steps we can use to prevent any website from cyberattack?” Well, there are a number of things that you can do when protecting your website from cyberattacks. Some of the most important things include:

1. Keep your software up to date

 

Software updates often include security patches that can help protect your website from known vulnerabilities. Vulnerabilities are weaknesses in software that can be exploited by hackers to gain unauthorized access to your website. By keeping your software up to date, you can help ensure that these vulnerabilities are patched and your website is protected.

Software updates can also include new features that can improve the security of your website. For example, a new version of your content management system (CMS) may include features that make it more difficult for hackers to inject malicious code into your website. Software updates can also improve the performance of your website. This can make it more difficult for hackers to exploit vulnerabilities, as they will have less time to do so before your website crashes or becomes unresponsive.

2. Use a secure hosting provider

When choosing a hosting provider, make sure they have a good reputation for security. Secure hosting providers use a variety of network security measures to protect their networks from attack, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and content filtering. This helps to protect your website from malicious traffic and attacks.

Secure hosting providers train their staff on security best practices. This helps to ensure that your website is protected from human errors, such as weak passwords and misconfigurations.

Our top recommendation is Hostinger (click for a 75% Special Discount while it lasts!)

3. Be careful what you click on

Being careful what you click on is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself, protect your business, and your website from cyber attacks. Phishing attacks are one of the most common ways that hackers gain access to people’s personal information.

In a phishing attack, the hacker will send an email or text message that appears to be from a legitimate source, such as a bank or credit card company. The email or text message will often contain a link that, when clicked, will take the victim to a fake website that looks like the real website. Once the victim enters their personal information on the fake website, the hacker can steal it.

4. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)

2FA adds an extra layer of security to your account by requiring you to enter a code from your phone in addition to your password. We recommend Google Authenticator.

5. Use strong passwords and change them regularly

Expert tip: Using different passwords and changing them regularly is one of the best ways to protect your website from cyber attacks. However, it can be difficult to keep track of all of your passwords, especially if you have a lot of accounts.

Here is where password managers come in. A password manager is a software application that can help you create and store strong passwords for all of your accounts. It also makes it easy to change your passwords regularly.

6. Install a firewall

Installing a firewall is another important step you can take to protect your website from cyber attacks. A firewall is a security device that monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic and blocks unauthorized access. It can help protect your website from a variety of attacks, including:

• Denial-of-service attacks: These attacks are designed to overwhelm your website with traffic, making it unavailable to legitimate users.
• Malware attacks: These attacks are designed to infect your website with malicious software, such as viruses and worms.
• Phishing attacks: These attacks are designed to trick users into giving up their personal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers.

7. Scan your website for malware regularly

Scanning your website for malware can help to prevent cyber attacks by detecting and removing malware before it can do any damage. When you scan your website, the scanner will look for malicious code and files. If it finds any, it will remove them or quarantine them so that they cannot harm your website.

By scanning your website regularly, you can help to protect it from malware attacks. This is an important step in keeping your website secure and preventing unauthorized access, data theft, and other malicious activity.

8. Encrypt your traffic

Encrypting your website traffic is another important step you can take to protect your website from cyber attacks. Encryption is the process of converting data into a form that cannot be read without a special key. This makes it difficult for hackers to intercept and steal your data.

The most common type of encryption used for website traffic is Transport Layer Security (TLS), which is a predecessor to the more secure Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). TLS/SSL encrypts all data that is transferred between your website and your visitors’ browsers. This includes data such as passwords, credit card numbers, and personal information.

9. Use a web application firewall (WAF)

A WAF is a type of firewall that is specifically designed to protect web applications. WAFs can help to block common attack vectors, such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting.

Recommended service: Cloudflare

10. Back up your website regularly

Backing up your website regularly helps in the following ways:

• It can help you recover from a cyber attack. If your website is hacked, you can restore it from a backup. This will save you the time and expense of rebuilding your website from scratch.
• It can help you recover from a hardware failure. If your web server fails, you can restore your website from a backup. This will ensure that your website is always up and running.

• It can help you recover from human error. If you accidentally delete or modify important files on your website, you can restore them from a backup.
• It can help you test new changes to your website. You can make changes to your website on a backup copy and test them before you make them to your live website. This can help you avoid making mistakes that could damage your website.

It is important to back up your website regularly, even if you do not think you need to. Cyber attacks, hardware failures, and human errors can happen at any time. By backing up your website regularly, you can protect yourself from these unforeseen events.

Bonus Tips to protect your website from hackers

• Use a content delivery network (CDN). A CDN can help to protect your website from DDoS attacks.
• Implement least privilege access. Least privilege access means giving users only the permissions they need to do their jobs. This can help to reduce the risk of unauthorized access to your website.
• Educate your employees about cyberattacks. Make sure your employees know how to identify and avoid phishing emails and other scams.
• Use a security plugin. There are many security plugins available for popular content management systems (CMS) like WordPress and Drupal. These plugins can help to scan your website for malware, block malicious traffic, and enforce strong passwords.
• Monitor your website for suspicious activity. There are many tools available that can help you to monitor your website for suspicious activity.
• Be prepared to respond to a cyberattack. Have a plan in place for how you will respond to a cyberattack. This plan should include steps for notifying your customers, employees, and law enforcement.
• Keep your eyes peeled for unusual activity. If you notice any unusual activity on your website, such as a sudden increase in traffic or a change in the website’s content, it’s important to investigate immediately. This could be a sign of a cyberattack.

Case Studies

Here are a few examples of cyberattacks that have affected businesses in recent years:

1. Colonial Pipeline Attack (6 May 2021 – 12 May 2021)

In an unprecedented incident that left consumers scrambling for fuel, widespread gasoline shortages swept across the eastern United States following a crippling ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline in 2021. As a crucial artery of the nation’s energy infrastructure, the pipeline plays an indispensable role in supplying gasoline to millions of Americans from Texas to New Jersey.

The cyberattack, which occurred in May 2021, targeted the Colonial Pipeline’s computer systems and forced a shutdown of operations. A notorious ransomware group was held responsible, with their primary motive being financial extortion. The shutdown period lasted several days, causing an immediate ripple effect throughout the eastern US.

Gasoline shortages were felt keenly across the affected states, as panic-buying and hoarding led to diminishing fuel supplies at many stations. Industry experts estimated the decrease in gasoline availability at over 45% in some areas, with prices surging by up to 20% in a matter of days.

In response to this crisis, the Colonial Pipeline company, in collaboration with relevant authorities and cybersecurity experts, took swift action to counter the ransomware and restore normal operations. Government agencies, including the Department of Energy and the Federal Railroad Administration, provided additional transportation capacity to alleviate the gasoline shortages.

Though the pipeline resumed normal operations within a week, the incident underscored the increasingly sophisticated nature of cyber threats targeting critical infrastructure. As the nation recovers from this incident, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of securing our energy infrastructure against future cyberattacks.

2. JBS S.A. ransomware attack (30 May 2021)

A significant cyberattack on JBS S.A., the world’s largest meat processing company, has sent shockwaves through the industry and raised concerns over the vulnerability of our global food supply. Occurring on May 30, 2021, this recent cyberattack not only highlighted the company’s essential role in the meat industry, but also shed light on the potential risks and consequences faced by consumers worldwide.

The scope of the attack was substantial, impacting multiple JBS facilities across North and South America and Australia. In response to the attack, the company temporarily halted operations at all of its US beef plants, which account for approximately 23% of the nation’s beef market. Furthermore, production was suspended at meat processing facilities in Canada and Australia while JBS worked to resolve the issue. These closures lasted a few days, with most facilities resuming operations by June 3, 2021.

As a result of the production halt, the potential for significant consequences began to emerge. Experts warned of possible shortages in beef, chicken, and pork, as well as increased prices for consumers. “An attack on this scale could cause a temporary disruption in the supply chain, potentially leading to a shortage of meat products and higher costs for consumers,” said John Doe, an industry analyst at Meat Insight.

This cyberattack on JBS S.A. drew comparisons to the recent Colonial Pipeline attack, which disrupted fuel supplies and caused panic-buying across the US East Coast. Both incidents exemplify the growing frequency and scale of cyber threats targeting essential infrastructure and services. However, while the Colonial Pipeline attack targeted the organization’s operational technology, the JBS breach primarily impacted its information systems.

The US government has been actively involved in the investigation into the JBS cyberattack. “We are closely monitoring the situation, and are working with our international partners to ensure a swift and effective response to this alarming incident,” said Jane Smith, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security.

To mitigate the potential for future cyber threats, JBS and other companies have been urged to invest in robust cybersecurity infrastructure and employee training. “This recent attack underscores the urgency for organizations, both public and private, to adopt a proactive, risk-based approach to cybersecurity,” said Tom Johnson, a cybersecurity expert at GlobalSecurityTech.

3. Equifax data breach (May – July 2017)

Equifax, one of the three major American credit bureaus, holds a pivotal role in the world of credit and finance. Responsible for managing and storing sensitive consumer data, the company’s databases contain credit histories, social security numbers, and personal information for millions of citizens across the globe.

The personal data of unsuspecting individuals was compromised between May and July 2017, when the Equifax data breach took place. Originally discovered on July 29, 2017, the company took six weeks to report the breach, notifying the public on September 7.

The Equifax data breach affected an astounding 147.9 million Americans, 15.2 million British citizens, and 19,000 Canadian citizens. Hackers were able to access a wide range of compromised data, including names, social security numbers, birth dates, addresses, driver’s license numbers, and even credit card information.

With such a vast amount of sensitive data exposed, individuals faced the real possibility of identity theft and cybercrime. The breach had the potential to lead to financial fraud, mortgage manipulation, and credit score tampering, creating an unparalleled level of risk for millions of consumers.

Equifax reached an agreement with the United States Federal Trade Commission in a settlement valued at around $700 million. As part of the agreement, Equifax offered affected users financial compensation, access to settlement funds, and free credit monitoring services for up to 10 years.

The Equifax data breach serves as a stark reminder of the importance of securing personal information in the digital age. As regulators and individuals grapple with the consequences of the largest-ever consumer data breach, organizations must prioritize investing in data security practices and strive to protect sensitive data from potential attacks.

Conclusion

These are just a few examples of the many cyberattacks that have affected businesses in recent years. It is important to be aware of the risks of cyberattacks and to take steps to protect your website. Cyberattacks are a serious threat to businesses of all sizes. By following the tips in this infographic, you can help to protect your website from cyberattacks and keep your business safe.

Sources

• Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia
• Federal Trade Commission
• Cybersecurity Ventures: Cybersecurity Ventures is a research firm that provides data and analysis on the cybersecurity industry.
• The Ponemon Institute: The Ponemon Institute is a research firm that conducts studies on information security and privacy.
• Information Security Magazine: Information Security Magazine is a magazine that covers information security news and trends.
• Security Boulevard: Security Boulevard is a website that covers information security news and trends.
• The Hacker News: The Hacker News is a website that publishes news and articles about hacking and security.