The field of website hosting is challenging, and anything hosted on the Internet can be hacked easily. While the concept of shared hosting can be cost-effective, there are potential risks associated with multiple websites being hosted on the same server. If one website gets compromised, others present on the same server are also at the edge of facing risks.
However, shared hosting can be made safe and secure with proper security measures. This guide will discuss the best security practices to keep your website safe on a shared hosting server.
Vulnerabilities of Shared Hosting
With multiple websites available on the same server, shared hosting in India comes with unique challenges, which are mentioned below:
- Limited Control
- Outdated Software
- Limited Privacy
- No Root Access
- Limited Customisation Options
How to Make Your Website Secure on Shared Hosting?
With numerous risks involved, shared hosting can mitigate the threats and provide security if these steps are taken in advance. Here is your detailed guide to a secure shared hosting environment:
- Secure and Strong Passwords
Strong passwords are necessary to protect online accounts and sensitive information from cybercriminals. Hackers can use brute-force attacks and social engineering to crack weak passwords and gain unethical access to accounts. Below are some tips for creating a safe password:
- Use a password manager
- Use Passphrases
- Avoid using personal information
- Use two-factor authentication
- Regular Updates
To ensure the ultimate shared hosting security, undergo regular updates so your website stays protected. Regular updates can protect against known security threats and can also reduce the likelihood of an attack. Some of the tips that you can follow to keep your website software updated are mentioned below:
- Enable automatic updates
- Keep backups before updating
- Check for updates regularly.
- Backups and Disaster Recovery Plan
Having backups and a proper disaster recovery plan is crucial for ensuring shared hosting security. They are responsible for preventing data loss, enabling efficient restoration, and keeping the business running in case of a security breach or disaster. Below mentioned are some of the best practices for maintaining backups:
- Regularly schedule backups
- Keep multiple copies
- Test and secure backups
- Security, Software, and Firewall
Security, software, and firewalls always enhance the shared hosting environment by giving robust protection against cyberattacks and malicious activities. Some examples of security, software, and firewalls include:
- Antivirus Software
- Anti-malware Software
- Intrusion detection and prevention systems
- Web Application Firewalls
- Network Firewalls
- User Access Control
User access control sets rules for who can do what on a shared hosting account or website. It’s about deciding who gets permission to view or change different parts of the site, making sure only the right people can do certain things.
Conclusion
Although shared hosting may not be the best in terms of security issues, it is, however, considered favourable for beginners and small websites. Moreover, with the above tips, you can take measures to safeguard your website from potential risks.
Cheap shared hosting is always an affordable option, as you share a server with multiple sites, so you do not require that technical knowledge to use this service either; your hosting provider will be taking care of the server administration and maintenance.
