It requires enough creativity, time and good effort to create a Website and after all these, if the site gets hacked by a hacker then it is really a matter of worry. They capture all the details of the site and ruin it completely. So, why not securing the website at the time it is built that leaves no room for the hackers. While many website security tools are easily available in this purpose but those are not enough and you can do even more than just implementing those security tools. Here in this article, we will discuss how to protect and secure your PHP website following some simple and easy to implement tricks and first of all, you should choose a reliable and secured PHP hosting.
Ensure the Software, Platform & Scripts are Up-to-date
One of the most vital points to keep your PHP website up-to-date is to ensure all the software, scripts and the platform you are using is updated with time. These days most of the platform is open source and so is PHP. And this ensures the codes are easily available to all. While the good developers can utilize those codes for their task the hackers will get them to steal the important and sensitive information from your site leaving the PHP website ruined. Also, the server operating system too to be taken care of to ensure your PHP website is safe and secure. However, in case you use a managed hosting solution then the OS’s security measures will be handled by them only.
Use Parameterized Queries to Avoid SQL Injection
SQL Injection is another most common issue that has attacked many websites so far. This SQL Injection issue occurs in a website that has a URL parameter or web form which allow users to provide input. And the misuse happens there only. If the parameter field is kept too open hackers will definitely try to attack and steal all the information stored in the database by entering the required code in that parameter. The database contains many sensitive information starting from debit and credit cards of the customers so unveiling of all those information will leave the customers in danger. So, the SQL injection is to be prevented by using parameterized queries. This process ensures the code has enough specific parameters so that the hackers can hardly mess with that.
Website Security Tools
Website security tools are the great option that ensures the utmost security to your PHP website. Various free and commercial tools are available in this purpose that can perfectly save the site from the cruel hands of the hackers. Some of the best Website security tools are listed here.
- Netsparker: This tool is just perfect to test the SQL injection and XSS issue. The trial version of this tool is available, so go for it.
- OpenVAS: This is an open source security scanner that is known to test the vulnerabilities. This tool is said to scan over 25,000. However, this is a bit tough to set up which requires an OpenVAS server.
- io: This is a free online tool that measures which security headers such as HSTS or CSP a domain has enabled and configured correctly.
Use HTTPS
All are well versed with this 5 letters which is been shown in the URL. This is actually a protocol used to offer security to the internet. This day’s most of the consumers do not forget to check if a green bar with http is been included in the beginning of the URL. And when they are confirmed about it, providing the financial details like credit card or debit card details can be done in just a second without the fear of being stolen those sensitive information. So, it is must to have an SSL certificate that includes those 5 letters in the URL and offer great security to your website.
Use CSP
Cross-site scripting or XSS is another attack being made by the hackers that leave the PHP website really destructive to ultimately steal the needed and sensitive information. What happen here is the hackers input malicious JavaScript on the pages which then run in the browsers of the visitors and infect the pages of your website. It steals the database information, changes the page content and does many more destructive things to the website. So, as a prevention what an user is required to do is ensure whenever any code is being used in the website that allows input, the code should be as explicit as possible.
Another powerful tool to prevent this XSS attack is CSP (Content Security Policy). This is actually a header in the server return which specifies to the browser how and what JavaScript will be executed on the page. As a result, the browser will not consider any malicious script and it will help the website to stay on the safe side.
Form Validation and Server Side Validation
Validation at the browser and server side is must to ensure you are going with the correct security measures. While the browser is able to catch some small failures such as the mandatory field is empty, a number is entered in place of text etc. but these can be overcome by the hackers and this is why deeper validation is to be implemented for both the server side and browser side. This will ensure any malicious code cannot be entered by the hackers to steal sensitive information from the database.
Use Strong Password
Along with all the mentioned security measures uses of the strong password is also advised in the server and website admin that can protect the PHP website definitely. Ensure the password you provide is of eight characters, contain uppercase, numbers and is stored as the encrypted value.
So, these are the main points to remember when you move ahead to ensure the perfect security to your PHP website. Website security tools are always the best option but along with that, you should also consider the other mentioned points here to stay safe and secure from the attack of hackers.
Avoid File Uploading
This is a common and high-risk security threat. This is like giving hackers and attackers sensitive data in a silver platter. It is important to avoid direct uploading of data on the server. To prevent attacks and compromise of data, it is better to upload only images.
No XSS (Cross Site Scripting)
A common security loophole is cross-site scripting. This is where attackers use web applications to distribute malicious codes. This causes sensitive data such as cookies, usernames and passwords, to be sent to unknown locations. XSS attacks can be prevented in the following ways. Filtering of user inputs and removing HTML tags. This ensures Javascript cannot be run. This is the most effective and reliable method to preventing XSS attacks.
Registering Global Settings
When the global register settings are turned off, the source of values for variables needs to be defined clearly. When the global settings are on, users are able to use variables, hence being able to keep track of the sources of these variables.
This setting is highly beneficial because it is a proper and secure way to go through codes and initialize the crucial variables. In addition, when users know the source of a variable, and this is especially if it is coming from a POST request, it is more secure and difficult for hackers to counterfeit variables. This is an ideal and powerful security solution.