Keeping data and information safe online is crucial when hosting a website. If hackers or other cyber threats access your account, identity theft and money loss are almost a guarantee. Thankfully, there are ways to stay alert to cyber threats and to defend your servers and personal computers against them. By running diagnostics and keeping an eye on how your server operates, you can identify threats and remove malware before it becomes hazardous.
Signs of Cyber Threats
Many cyber threats are difficult to spot, especially in the early stages of their attack. But there are a few indicators that can give you a warning of potential threats and allow you to stop them before they steal your information or destroy your data.
Slow Connections
There’s bound to be some fluctuation in connection speeds from day to day. The more people are accessing your servers, the harder the servers have to work and the slower they’ll run. But continuous slow connections could indicate a cyber threat. You can check the traffic logs of your network to determine where the bandwidth is getting caught up and if any suspicious programs have been installed. If there are any programs you don’t recognize, research them to determine if they’re part of a larger cyber threat.
File Changes
To help keep their activity hidden, hackers often utilize quick file changes to appear as if everything is operating normally on your network. Because these changes happen so quickly, they aren’t always easy to spot. However, you can work with a cyber security team or software suite that helps monitor files and pick up on these changes. While it is possible to set these systems up yourself, it’s not recommended unless you have a background in cyber security, as even a minor error can let hackers through.
Glitchy Behavior
Sometimes computers and networks will glitch, but if it happens consistently, then you likely have a cyber attack on your hands. Glitchy or suspicious behavior could be something as simple as your cursor moving even when you aren’t touching the mouse. Or it could be more complex, like applications or extensions on your network that you didn’t install. These can be a sign of hackers who have infiltrated your system and are working on getting access to your personal information.
Inability to Log in
These days, two-step verification makes it easier for your accounts to stay safe against cyber threats. But that doesn’t mean they’ll work perfectly all the time. Dedicated hackers can still get into your accounts or find ways to mess with your login information. If you’re trying to sign into your account but are having difficulties, it may be a cyber threat issue.
One of the important things to remember when logging in to any account is to double-check that you’re on the right page. Many hacker scams use realistic copies to get your information by having you enter your most recent password to change your password and unlock the account. If you don’t see a (typically green) lock symbol at the end of the URL, don’t enter any information.
Loss of Data
Although hackers will often work in the shadows to keep their presence unknown, many cyber threat operations include messing around with your data. You may find that files have been deleted or replaced, or recent backups and changes aren’t accessible. If you notice any data loss, even a minor case, it’s always a good idea to run a systems check and contact your cyber security team to ensure your network is secure.
Defending Against Cyber Threats
Cyber threats can be frightening to deal with. After all, it’s difficult to know right away just how much information a hacker or malware was able to snag before they got caught. And it’s even more difficult to trace the issue back to the attacker. However, there are ways you can defend your server and network against cyber threats and keep your data and information safe.
SSL Certification
Getting SSL certification for your website is one of the best ways to protect your server and your users. SSL security measures encrypt the link between the server and the computer accessing it. Not only does this help your users stay safe, but it also helps you stay safe. If you remotely access your server to make changes and updates, then having SSL certification helps ensure no hackers get in while you’re connecting.
Malware Scans
There are plenty of software options available that can scan your server or network to detect any threatening activity. While many of these programs only identify the threats, others are capable of removing them as well. Running malware scans regularly can help you catch the early signs of a cyber threat, saving you from having to scramble after the damage is done.
Cyber Security Professionals
If you really want to ensure your server and network are safe, you can also hire cyber security professionals. Many in the computer programming world dedicate their education and practice specifically to cyber security. While you can perform minimal protective measures and removal on your own, working with a professional allows you to gain even more security for yourself and your network.
Prevent Cyber Threats with InnoHosting
At InnoHosting, we believe that everyone should have a safe and secure connection. That’s why we work hard to ensure every hosting plan we offer provides every safety measure you could need when hosting a website. Our exclusive ActivGuard Website Security helps protect your server against cyber threats with active scans and malware removal. We also help provide SSL certifications and many other cyber security applications that keep your data and information safe. If you want to host online but are worried about keeping your connection secure, send us a message through our contact form for more information about how we help you avoid cyber threats.
