Impoartant Facts About Web Server Security And Vulnerability Issues
Topics: vulnerability security, web server management, web server security issues, webserver, web server
The rise in hacking attacks on web servers is increasing and it is important that you understand a few basic facts about web servers and vulnerability security to ensure you protect your hard work from attack.
You’ve chosen your hosting provider, you’ve got the great idea for the website and started to build it but, there are things you need to be aware of concerning web server security issues. So take a few minutes to read this article on web server management and vulnerability security.
If you are developing the website yourself then it is essential that you understand the web server security issues associated with website development. The problem starts the moment you install a web server on your hosting provider account. This action opens a tunnel into your network for the whole world to look through and without vulnerability security you are dead in the water.
Although most people who visit your website are content to shop, a few will try to dig a little deeper into things you don’t want the general public to see on your website such as vulnerabilities, this is where vulnerability security comes in.
Of course you also have the main threat and that is the type of person who specifically wants to see the things they shouldn’t and will attempt to force there way in by any means available to them. The affects can range from the inconvenient, for example the discovery that your web site’s home page has been changed.
To the really damaging problem of theft of your customers personal data and your entire database, plus the inclusion of viruses and Trojans to spread to customers pcs the next time they visit your site. To stop this you must include vulnerability security in your system design.
It’s well known in website security forums that badly designed and updated software opens up possible security holes in your system, also that overly complex software also contains bugs that can be exploited. The problem is web servers are usually large and complex programs that can contain security flaws causing web server security issues and that’s why It’s so important to understand web server management.
CGI scripts can be executed via remote request due to the open architecture of web servers. There is a good chance that any of the CGI scripts installed on your web site could contain bugs or flaws and could be a potential security hole and this is not the problem of your hosting provider.
The general goal for all web developers in relation to web server management and vulnerability security concerning network security of their web servers is to keep the bad guys out and control their database and website. The irony is that the whole idea of a website is to provide the world with access to certain parts of your database and network. A badly configured and maintained website and web server can result in large holes in the most carefully designed firewall. Yet over eager controls can make the website hard to use and not customer friendly.
There is a general opinion by most web users that surfing the web from their home is safe but it is not. Web pages contain such things as active content like ActiveX controls and Java applets. These can introduce the possibility of viruses or other malicious code or software into the user’s system when they are browsing without their knowledge.
Active content can also cause major problems if not controlled properly. ActiveX is not the only problem the mere act of browsing the internet leaves a record of your surfing history for an unscrupulous person to reconstruct an accurate picture of your surfing tastes and habits.
Also the users and web developers implementing web server management need to worry about the lack of confidentiality of the transmitted data across the internet. The protocol (TCP/IP) was not designed to ensure security and so is vulnerable to eavesdropping over the network. Most of the data transmitted over TCP/IP is in the clear.
When a sensitive document is transmitted from the website server to the internet browser or a customer sends their private or personal home banking details to a website someone may be eavesdropping on that transmission.
To help you ensure that you are not taking unnecessary risks with your service and customer data remember these simple tips:
Remove unnecessary services like interpreters - If you don’t need services such as FTP (File Transfer Protocol) remove it. FTP is a protocol that comes with your website server and could be used by hackers. Spend some time analyzing your scripting languages and remove any that are not required for the website.
Make sure you enroll in the security list for your server vendor - You don’t necessarily have to join up with them but you must at least monitor their website on a regular basis for any new patches and make sure you apply them straight away. Also make sure you checkout your operating system for updates and patches as well.
Use strong passwords - Try to avoid easy to guess passwords and use alpha-numeric, this means adding numbers, symbols and capitals to make guessing and cracking much harder. But don’t make the password policy so strict that it makes remembering your password to hard . Make sure you always change the default password and remove unused accounts.
Monitor your server logs - All request and activity on your web server is tracked so review the logs regularly for signs of suspicious behavior.
Segregate you Data - Separate any private customer information from publicly available data by storing them on different machines if you can.
Learn how to configure your server properly - It’s important than you understand the basics about configuring servers so try to limit the executable files to your specific directories and make sure that the source coding cannot be downloaded.
Automatic directory indexing is another service you can disable if you don’t need it. Any automated security tools you can run that are supplied or provided by your OS or web server vendor. Some examples of such tools include Microsoft IIS Lockdown Tool. This will help to identify potential weak spots in your settings.
Check programs for security holes. An area that is particularly prone to security breaches is CGI scripts on web servers especially if the scripts do not validate the user supplied data before trying to accessing operating-system services or system files.
Bee ltd is a domain acquisition and development company that has many years experience in the domain name and internet market. You will find many useful articles and advice on all manner of subjects associated with domains names, SEO and web development at our site: www.bee.eu
Previous Articles Highlighter:
Would You Like To Earn Residual Income From Home? (1)
Some of these people belong to programs, and others have their very own businesses that they work both online and off. I actually have a business that I can call my own and I operate it strictly online and through the telephone, I really have never seen a need to advertise my business offline in the real world because I always make more than enough money online through the virtual world.
What Are Translation Agencies For? (2)
Whereas a real translation service uses real people such as translators and interpreters for all of their work! This is incredibly important when using a translation service for your business, the last thing you need is for the translation to not be correct, and this is exactly what you will get when using a free service!
Translation Services For Your Website (3)
How do you know who is good and who isn't? Well in most cases as with everything else online you can find several reviews about different websites, so that would be one good way to go.
Why Would You Need A Translation Service Provider For Your Website? (4)
Isn't this expensive? In most cases if you continue to use a service, they will most likely provide you with a business to business price. You will use them when needing translations done and they can count on you to use them for their service.
Here's How To Make Sure That You Hire The Right Translator (5)
This is because a freelance translator is not bounded by an agency and if he or she violates the privacy agreement, you have no one to hold accountable for. So my advice to you is to hire a translator from an agency.
What Rooms Are At Risk For Mold? (6)
Mold growth usually appears on the ceiling and walls as discolorations which will vary in color. Everyone forgets and lets the bathtub overflow from time to time, but this can also cause water damage and mold growth to the floor if it is allowed to happen too often.
Would You Like To Publish An E-book In Another Language? (7)
They are absolute professionals in what they do, and its one of the reasons sites such as these are so popular. You can't really put guess work into translating into another language unless you personally know someone that speaks the same language you want to publish in, and they speak it, read it, write it perfectly!
Are You Looking For A Multi-Lingual Translator? (8)
It doesn't matter if you are a really large corporation and you deal with individuals everyday that are from other countries and speak other languages, or if you have a smaller business and just need something like this every once in awhile, in the end it by all odds is something that will pay off for you, and there is really no comparability in quality when dealing with a real translation service rather than a free one.
What Is Domain Parking? (9)
35cents!?! That's not a lot! You are right it's not. But if you figure it out this way it will seem a little better. Take 35cents time 5,000 clicks that right there is $1,750.
Creating An Ezine To Promote Your Online Business (10)
Gregg Forscher founder of Discount Web Content Provider offers web content and guidance to develop traffic using Ezine Marketing to assist you to create a successful online internet business. discountwebcontentprovider.com
Newer Articles Highlighter:
Building Your Web Site Traffic - Link Building And RSS Feeds (1)
However, this requires a lot of work on your part. You must find a forum that has similar content to what is on your site that also has a high page rank in search engines.
Benefits Of Good Customer Service (2)
For example, a restaurant provides a physical good (the food), but also provides services in the form of ambience, the setting and clearing of the table, etc. And although some utilities actually deliver physical goods like water utilities which actually deliver water utilities are usually treated as services.
Essential Soccer Skills - Crossing The Ball (3)
Ensure your standing foot is firmly planted on the floor, and play your foot through the ball in order to gain as much accuracy as possible. The more accuracy you achieve, the better chance you have of picking out a team mate and your team has of scoring a goal.
Bold Jewelry Designs To Look Different But Chic (4)
The fashion trends should be followed but it is always good to add a touch of your personal taste as well. Sajid Mehmood is SEO Expert from Pakistan, He did many sites to get top ranking, SEO/SEM in his blood from many years.
Get Online Information For Trains To Wakefield (5)
A second service to London is provided by East Midlands Trains with trains running via Sheffield, Leicester and into St Pancras International. Following the success of the FreeCityBus in Leeds, and the FreeTown Bus in Huddersfield, a six month trial of a zero-fare Wakefield FreeCityBus scheme began on 23rd April 2007.
Berber Carpet Cleaning - Tips For The Proper Care Of Berber Carpet (6)
One of the most popular types of carpet available for your home today is berber carpet. This is not a specific type of carpet; it is a weave of carpet consisting of dense small loops.
Essential Soccer Skills - Throw-Ins (7)
Bad times, but this can be avoided. As soon as you receive the ball, ready to throw, look up for any available player from your team. Try to throw to a player who is in space, or who has the ability to create space for themselves.
How To Train Your Pet To Become A Treadmill Dog (8)
The first step in the training process is always safety. Make sure you have a harness with a place to attach a leash in front of the chest. This way it's easier to control the dog while you're in front of them, and it will prevent unnecessary tension on a neck collar.
Secure Order Processing Service (9)
A distribution center is a principle part, the order processing element, of the entire order fulfillment process. Distribution centers are usually thought of as being demand driven. A Distribution center can also be called a warehouse, a DC, a fulfillment center, a cross-dock facility, a bulk break center, and a package handling center.
A Car That Can Run On Water (10)
And a U.S company, Hydrogen Technologies Applications, say they too have combustion engines that run completely on their patented "Aquygen," or HHO. Steve Lusko, Project Manager, said that the company has already talked to a few auto companies about using the technology in their new vehicles.
Permalink to Impoartant Facts About Web Server Security And Vulnerability Issues