Website Security Audit Services, UAE

Website Security Audit Services Dubai

Web Application Security Audit solutions, Abu Dhabi

The rapid increase of cyber-attacks has a huge impact on website owners. Malware, DDoS, ransomware, and cross-site scripting are very common threats online. Cyber-attacks usually steal sensitive data and risk a lot of website information. To reduce the risk of cyber-attacks, a website security audit has to be performed along with building a proper online security infrastructure and website maintenance. We at HelloPixels recommend online tools for scanning, different website audit services and the usual and regular need to perform website security audits.

The process of scrutinizing websites, cores, plugins and servers to identify flaws and susceptibility is a website security audit. These audits include a dynamic code analysis with the penetration and configuration tests.

Web Security Audit, PROCEDURE!

The HelloPixels Definitive Steps or the apt procedure for a perfect website audit are –

The audit checklist and the site elements for any website must be identified before performing a website security audit.

A) The Website core files
B) The Extensions
C) The Software
D) The Themes
E) The Plugins

F) The Third-party components
G) The Server and site settings
H) The User settings and practices
I) The Plan and SSL renewals
J) The Website traffic rate

  • The Security Scan
A security scan identifies if a website is blacklisted and inspects for malware, errors, and outdated software. We at HelloPixels run a security scan with our security parameters. Our security tool provides suggestions for improvement and also recognizes the possible flaws. A proper choice of tools to run a security scan lays the foundation of a website security audit.
  • Review Site Settings

The next element to be reviewed is the site settings. The usage of a content management system (CMS) for example, WordPress requires opening the site’s dashboard and verifying the website configuration settings for vulnerabilities. There are some elements and steps WordPress users should keep in mind for enhancing security.

A) The Comment Settings – Filter spam comments to make the comment section look modest. By using the Comments menu on the WordPress dashboard, comments can be marked as Spam or deleted.

B) The Visible Information – Display contents that are intended for users. Always hide information related to the backend of the site. Hackers can often penetrate into the site and can identify attack routes for hacking.

C) The Input validation – The Implementation of validation for all parts of the site that accepts user input. This measure prohibits the entry of certain characters. As an addition, use the updated version of WordPress, plugins, and themes.

  • The User Accounts and Permissions
A web server usually verifies a user’s access privileges when trying to amend changes to a site.It is necessary to organize user roles and permissions for WordPress. The assigning of user roles and categorizing their levels of permissions helps to manage the access to your website.The six roles available in WordPress are super admin, administrator, editor, author, contributor, and subscriber. Each role is allotted permissions which includes publishing, writing, managing, and configuration.
  • The Regulated Updates
Obsolete components usually have loopholes that may lead to a hacked website. Regularly updating with a new version of CMS, extensions, plugins, themes, and software is the need of the hour. This minimizes the risk of cyber-attacks.
  • The IP and Domain Security

A domain or IP address is usually listed when it is involved in suspicious activity, for example, spam emails, malware, and hosting phishing websites and botnets. Spamhaus and SpamCop are some very useful tools to examine the reputation of a domain or IP address. Both manage lists collated by special research teams who have assessed the registered internet resources.

If a domain name or IP address is found on a block list, the next step would be to request for a removal. However, if a shared server has been used then the issue can be reported to the hosting provider. Contact the company if the blacklisted IP address was furnished by your internet service provider (ISP).

  • The Plan or SSL Renewals
Be vigilant about the renewal of certain services related to the website. Always have a check on the expiry date of your domain name, hosting plan, and SSL certificate. This is to avoid the website from becoming inaccessible or unsecure. It depends on the registrar if a domain can be registered for up to 10 years. Almost all the hosting providers allow longer purchasing plans up to four years
  • Assess Website Traffic

Website traffic is the number of users visiting the website. There are three main sources to assess the website traffic

A) The Direct source type – Users usually type the website URL in the browser.

B) The Referral source. Traffic that generates through links on other websites and social media platforms.

C) The Organic source type – Usage of a search engine to find the website.

We at HelloPixels monitor website traffic for the perfect website audit by –

✓ Filtering irrelevant online traffic – Keep a watch on the visitors who come through doubtful sites.

✓ Location and Geography- A traffic increase in certain locations is an indicator that either the content is number one in that area or computers are hijacked and are crowding the website with uncontrollable traffic.

✓ Major Fluctuations – The unclear reason for sudden increases in traffic might indicate botnet attacks.

✓ The Sudden Drop – If the website’s traffic drops, test to see the speed of the site. The second option is to identify if Google has red flagged it as malicious. There’s a chance that the visitors can’t access it due to it being non-listed in the search results anymore.

WebSite Security Audit, TOOLS

  • NordPass
  • Intruder
  • Observatory
  • Qualys
  • Quttera
  • Synk Website scanner
  • Pentest Tools

Website Security Audit, WHY?

Did you know more than half of the Websites in the world face consistent cyber attacks owing to a weak site architecture and blatant security parameters? An online breach can be devastating for a website especially, websites with an online payment gateway integration system embedded along. An unprepared website goes ahead and faces the brunt of a malware attack which in turn affects the online reputation of the brand. Here are a few reasons, our experts at cyber security feel, websites need stringent and consistent periodical website auditing.
  • Malware Attacks
A malicious software or code that affects the network or server as a whole putting an end to the life of the computer affected. Trojans, spyware, ransomware are a few known malwares that attack businesses in the GCC
  • Ransomware
These online attacks are money demanding and there is no guarantee of online access if ransomed.
  • Dos and DDos
Overload servers with fake requests. Dos origins are usually from single digital locations whereas DDos attacks are carried out from multiple destinations.
  • XSS(cross site scripting)
Insertion of malicious material by online strangers to steal info or damage websites.
  • SQL injection
Hackers use this type of breaches online to access, change, alter or delete system data to disrupt sane functioning of businesses.

Are you caught up in all that jazz of making the website look the best, feel the best, world class SEO optimized and other prominent design works? Well, better late than never. Web security is the need of the hour. If you feel, your digital business presence is under threat with danger looking around, fear no more! Contact us at [email protected] and experience world class website security measures with imminent periodical audits.

Frequently asked questions

The process of scrutinizing websites, cores, plugins and servers to identify flaws and susceptibility is a website security audit. These audits include a dynamic code analysis with the penetration and configuration tests.

A) The Website core files
B) The Extensions
C) The Software
D) The Themes
E) The Plugins
F) The Third-party components
G) The Server and site settings
H) The User settings and practices
I) The Plan and SSL renewals
J) The Website traffic rate

A) Malware Attacks
B) Ransomware
C) Dos and DDos
D) XSS
E) SQL

A) NordPass
B) Observatory
C) Qualys
D) Quttera
E) Synk Website Scanner
F) Pentest Tools

Insertion of malicious material by online strangers to steal info or damage websites.