Websites are essential for businesses, but they are also a common target for hackers. Cybercriminals often exploit vulnerabilities in websites to gain unauthorised access, steal sensitive data or even bring operations to a halt. As the number of cyberattacks increases year by year – and with hackers leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance their strategies – businesses need to remain vigilant. Below we’ll take a closer look at how to perform a website security audit and the key areas you should verify to protect against attack.
The key components of a site security audit
One of the most effective ways to minimise the risk of a breach is by conducting regular website security audits. These audits help identify weaknesses in your site’s design, coding and infrastructure, ensuring you can patch vulnerabilities before hackers exploit them. For e-commerce sites, where downtime or data breaches can have serious financial and reputational consequences, this is particularly vital. Whether you’re a small business owner or a large enterprise, protecting your website should be put at the top of your priority lists.
What is a website security audit and areas you should check
A website security audit is a systematic evaluation of your website’s security measures to identify vulnerabilities and ensure its protection against cyber threats. Since hackers often probe for backdoors or weak spots in web operations, a security audit helps you stay one step ahead.
Key areas to audit include:
- Login mechanisms: Verify the robustness of login and authentication processes, such as password policies and two-factor authentication.
- User permissions: Check if users have only the necessary level of access to prevent misuse or unauthorised changes.
- SSL/TLS certificates: Ensure your site uses HTTPS and SSL to encrypt data between users and servers.
- Plugins and third-party scripts: Identify outdated or unverified plugins that could create vulnerabilities.
- Server security: Analyse server configurations to ensure they are up to date and securely maintained.
- Data storage and encryption: Review how sensitive information is stored and ensure strong encryption standards.
- Firewall and malware protection: Confirm firewalls and malware detection systems are in place and functioning effectively.
- Content updates: Ensure CMS platforms, themes and plugins are updated to the latest versions.
By auditing these areas, you create a solid foundation for defending your website against potential attacks.
How to perform a website security audit
Conducting a website security audit requires a methodical approach, focusing on all aspects of your website and its underlying infrastructure. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Start with an inventory of assets
Identify all components of your website, including subdomains, third-party services and plugins. Knowing what’s connected to your website allows you to evaluate each part for vulnerabilities.
2. Review access controls
- Verify user permissions to ensure no one has more access than they need. As part of this process, you should also check your firm’s BYOD policy.
- Check for unused accounts and disable them.
- Test the strength of administrator passwords and enforce strong password policies.
3. Check SSL/TLS encryption
- Ensure your website uses HTTPS, which encrypts the connection between your users and the server.
- Confirm your SSL/TLS certificate is valid and up to date.
4. Scan for malware
Use tools such as Sucuri or Malwarebytes to perform a full malware scan of your website. Identify and eliminate any malicious scripts or files.
5. Test for SQL injection vulnerabilities
Hackers often exploit poorly coded forms or fields to inject malicious SQL commands. Use security tools like SQLMap to test for such vulnerabilities.
6. Analyse code vulnerabilities
Conduct a thorough review of your website’s code to ensure there are no bugs or exploits that hackers could use. Automated tools like Veracode or manual code reviews can be helpful.
7. Verify third-party integrations
- Audit plugins, themes, and APIs for known vulnerabilities.
- Remove or update outdated plugins to prevent exploitation.
8. Conduct penetration testing
Hire cybersecurity professionals or use automated tools like OWASP ZAP to simulate attacks on your website. This helps uncover vulnerabilities you might miss during a manual audit.
9. Implement a web application firewall (WAF)
A WAF protects against common attack vectors like SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS) and DDoS attacks. Ensure your WAF is properly configured.
10. Review backup protocols
- Check if backups are performed regularly and securely.
- Ensure backups are stored offsite and are easily accessible during emergencies.
11. Monitor activity logs
Analyse logs for unusual or unauthorised activity, such as multiple failed login attempts or suspicious file changes. This can alert you to potential breaches.
12. Validate compliance
Ensure your website complies with relevant regulations, such as GDPR or PCI DSS, depending on the nature of your business.
13. Educate your team
Provide cybersecurity training for employees, ensuring they recognise phishing attempts and understand the importance of maintaining website security.
By following these steps, you can create a safer environment for both your organisation and its users.
Protecting your site against malicious attacks
Protecting your website is more than just a technical necessity – rather, it should be considered a critical business requirement. A website breach or prolonged downtime doesn’t just disrupt your operations; it can damage your reputation, hurt customer trust and even expose you to legal liability.
With cybercriminals becoming increasingly sophisticated, every organisation needs to take cybersecurity seriously, particularly the parts of their operations that are online. Using backups and cloud services can provide robust protection and options for recovery, while ongoing audits ensure that your website remains as secure as possible.
Ultimately, staying proactive with regular security audits is a small investment compared to the potential fallout of a security breach. By prioritising website security, businesses can protect their assets, reputation and bottom line.
