How to Protect CMS Websites

The most widely used Content Management Systems are WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal as per statistics. The highest CMS platforms that are held as hacking targets are WordPress followed by Joomla, Drupal and the rest are other CMS’s.

Before dwelling on the ways to secure CMS we could list the ways in which hackers could gain control over the website.

Additional Add-ons

Using additional plugins, modules, themes and other injections that are not verified are one of the reasons for hacking, hence if their vulnerabilities are not fixed they give way to high possibilities for hackers to gain access through these unverified plugins.

Outdated websites

Using an older CMS version that is obsolete also means that the security of the system has not been updated. In every version of the software update, new security fixes and upgrades are been released.

Easily accessible through the login screen

The frontend login can be easy for the users but it’s a favorite possible way for hackers and bots to gain access. The password strength also plays a vital role, In case if the password strength is weak it can be easily cracked. As admin has an access to the same website there is a possible scenario where a hacker would input sequence of passwords multiple times to gain access to the admin panel.

These are the vulnerabilities through which a website can be hacked easily, however in case we develop the website using strong security practices it would be more reliable and gives away less possibility of hacking. We have ways and solutions to secure CMS websites which are discussed below:

Restrict the number of login attempts

Restricting the number of login attempts would eliminate brute force attacks, as well as decrease the possibility of hackers or bots to gain access to the system.

Two Factor Authentications (2FA)

The second layer of security during the login would be essential in order to tighten the security of the website. Authenticator plugins can be used that would send an OTP to the registered mobile or email, once verified the user would be able to log in.

Change passwords on a regular basis

Change passwords often and also increase password strength by giving special characters and other unique sequences.

Implement a firewall

A firewall acts as an extra security layer to the infrastructure in order to block unwanted IP’s. Ensuring a firewall is in place for all cms websites provides additional security and is also useful to track suspicious activities.

Keep the website updated

CMS site and all the plugins need to be updated at regular intervals whenever an update is notified. Developers would often release fixes and upgrades that would include new security fixes ensuring the website is kept away from threats.

Access permissions to users

Restricting the access to certain modules of the application works great in increasing the security.

SSL Certificate

SSL certificate is added to increase the security layers of the website, an SSL certificate is a bit of code on the server that provides security between online communications. When a web browser contacts a secured website, the SSL certificate establishes an encrypted connection.

Verified plugins

As we had discussed vulnerabilities in installing unverified plugins, it is recommended to install verified plugins in order to keep the system secure.

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