You’ve heard of “always get below the belt”? Well, this is also true when it comes to web application security. When it comes to online security, keep your information confidential. But that doesn’t mean that you should never talk about your company or its products on social media or with other companies in the same industry.
In fact, it is good business to share information about your company and its products with potential customers and other industry players. Unfortunately, cybercriminals have taken notice of this too and will take every legal and unethical measure possible to get their hands on sensitive information about companies and their customers, including data stored on websites.
This means that even though keeping your data confidential can help you avoid hacking attacks, it does not mean that you should not take precautions against cyberattacks as well. Here are some ways that you can protect yourself from website hacking:
Use Secure Coding Skills
All of the technical skills you acquire as an engineer will come in handy when it comes to web application security. This may seem obvious, but nowadays, more and more people are not using web application security tools and techniques that were developed in the 1980s and 1990s.
That is why you need to stay on top of the latest developments in security and coding practices. The best way to do this is to attend security training and certification courses. These will familiarize you with the latest coding standards and practices, and you will also learn how to write secure code.
Always Get Below the Belt
There are many situations where you should not talk about company information or products on social media or with other companies in the same industry. This is mainly due to the fact that cybercriminals will try to hack into these accounts in order to steal sensitive information.
This includes but is not limited to data such as usernames and passwords, financial data like card numbers and balances, and even the content of conversations. However, there are also times when you need to discuss your products and services with potential customers or other industry players.
This is when being below the belt comes into play. When you get below the belt, you should refer to your products and services as little as possible, but still give away important details about your company and its products. Doing so not only protects your brand but also helps you build trust with potential customers.
Don’t Use the Same Old “Secure” Formal Email Address
One of the most common security mistakes is using the same “secure” email address for all of your accounts. This is usually due to a couple of reasons such as forgetfulness or a desire to avoid conflict. The best way to avoid this mistake is to use a variety of email addresses throughout your accounts.
It is also a good idea to use a unique email address for each account that you have. In addition, it is advisable to use a unique address for each country in which you operate. This helps to avoid any Google-induced system issues or political issues when sending emails back and forth between your teams in different countries.
An example of bad security practices that could cause trouble for your business are Email addresses like hotmail.com, gmail.com, and outsourced.io are generally regarded as being easily accessible by cybercriminals.
Always Monitor Your Website for Changes
When you work with sensitive data, like your salary or financial accounts, you want to make sure that there is a high level of security. This is why it is a good idea to monitor the website for any changes that would affect your data. It is also a good idea to check the website for any changes that might affect your account information, such as an updated address or username.
The key here is to make sure that you are aware of any changes that might affect your account information so that you can take the necessary steps to prevent any data breaches. You can do this by using a tool such as the one provided by NoAuth.Me. This is a free online risk assessment tool that helps you understand the level of risk that exists with your account information.
Don’t Settle for a Cumbersome Security Patch
One of the most common ways that cybercriminals infiltrate websites is by embedding malicious codes into the HTML of your site. These can be disguised as harmless looking elements like style tags or images, but they can still cause damage if people click on them. If you notice any of these problems in your site, it is a good idea to check them for possible errors and then correct them.
In addition, you should also use a tool such as NoAuth.Me to check and remove malicious tags from your site. There are many such tools available online, so make sure you check them all out.
Final Words
The internet has become an increasingly popular way to exchange information for many different purposes. Businesses use social media, like Facebook or LinkedIn, to connect with their customers and advertise their products and services. Even the most privacy-conscious individuals use the internet to connect with other people and with the government, such as when using an online shopping cart or booking an appointment with a therapist.