Is Your Code Secure? Easy Steps to Prevent Hacking

People who use the internet, particularly those who develop websites, have to be persistently vigilant in guarding against cybercrime.

Hackers are constantly testing every device connected to the internet for vulnerabilities that they can exploit in their favor. If they find such a vulnerability, they could steal money or valuable data from you, your clients, or their customers. Advanced security measures may not be enough to protect you and the websites you create if you have not already covered the basics.

1. Fortify Weak Spots

What is web API security? To answer that question, it is first necessary to understand what an API is. API stands for Application Programming Interface, and it helps an app to interact with the server. APIs are attractive to bad actors because they are often accessible from anywhere over public networks. The astronomical increase in API development in the past few years has made a continuous approach to security a top concern. Effective protection against API hacking involves implementing access control and solutions to detect and block common cyberattacks.

2. Don't Be Complacent

In the past, most users, particularly businesses, operated on the Windows platform. Knowing that that was where the money was, most hackers created malignant programming targeted specifically to that operating system. Because there were fewer Apple users, hackers rarely wasted their time with iOS. Some Apple users didn't even bother much about security software.

Times have changed, and Apple devices are now much more prevalent, making them a more attractive target. However, the point is that all devices, all platforms, and all operating systems are vulnerable to attack. Therefore, any device that you connect to the internet should have up-to-date security software installed. Don't count on obscurity to save you. With so much at stake, it's not worth the risk. Your clients and their customers certainly won't appreciate you gambling with their data.

3. Create Backups Automatically

There is nothing more frustrating than spending hours developing a website only to have all your hard work wiped out by one ill-timed hack. Backing up your website won't completely relieve the stress of a data breach, but it will make the recovery process easier. It can be difficult to remember to back up your data manually. Automatic backups mean that your information is stored for you, and you can count on it being there when you need it.

4. Use an SSL Certificate

A secure socket layer is a security protocol that encrypts information transmitted between your website and the server. Anytime you design a website into which sensitive information is entered, you need an SSL certificate to secure the data and make it less vulnerable to hackers. Examples include an e-commerce site through which consumers purchase goods and services. Other examples include government agencies that provide services to citizens and telemedicine applications that transmit health and medical information about patients. You can tell when a website has an active SSL certificate because of the padlock image in the address bar and the HTTPS in the URL.

Consumers should bear in mind that bad actors can install SSL certificates on fake websites, and just because the data is secure, it isn't necessarily going to a trustworthy source.

5. Install Security Plugins

These protective programs actively defend against attempts to hack the website. Different plug-ins are compatible with different platforms, so be sure you choose one that works with the system you are running.

6. Stay Up To Date

Developers are constantly identifying weak spots in existing programming and releasing updates to strengthen them. Not keeping your software up to date is analogous to leaving your front door unlocked and ajar. In both cases, chances are good that a criminal will take advantage of the vulnerability.

In addition to these basics, you should always follow common sense security measures for internet use, such as creating strong passwords, not clicking email links, and only downloading from trustworthy sources.