4 Tips To A More Secure Windows Dedicated Server
The number of reported cases of server compromises (intrusions) has been on the rise over the last few years. The last 5 years alone has seen a 32% rise in hacking, with dozens of companies suffering losses from the same. These incidences have led to customer/consumer mistrust and lack of confidence in the said companies.
Companies running on dedicated servers have the sole responsibility of ensuring their servers are as secure as possible. This is the only way to protect consumer information and private data from hackers and other malicious individuals. This article from Intergrid outlines some of the best ways to improved security on your dedicated server.
1. Use Strong And Unique Passwords
The password to your server needs to not only be unique but also at least ten characters long.According to experts, a strong password should comprise capitalizations, numbers, special symbols, and letters. Since such passwords can be hard to recall, it probably would be best to store it in a password manager. Password managers help keep your passwords well protected and encrypted away from prying eyes.You also should make a point of updating the passwords every few days or weeks to make it a lot harder for an intruder to crack. This is particularly essential with the wake of newer viruses that may go undetected for weeks.
2. Run Updates Regularly
While some updates might be annoying (and take loads of your time), they are quite essential in keeping your server safe.These updates are meant to patch any known vulnerabilities your server might have, and those a hacker might be looking to exploit.Rather than postponing the updates to a later date, why not just allow them automatically. The updates will occur automatically requiring very little to no intervention from your side. Simply set a preferred time when these updates should be installed to avoid inconveniencing other users. Although this might take you a few minutes of your time, they will save you quite a lot in keeping your company information and customer credit information safe.
3. Make Use Of An Anti-Spyware And Anti-Virus Software
Some viruses and malware will slip undetected past your firewall to your network. Investing in a strong antivirus and antispyware program will, however, protect your server from such intrusions. These antivirus programs will detect most of these viruses/malware and block them before they can infect your computers and network.Be sure to have all files downloaded from the internet scanned before they can be accessed on your network.
4. Have Your Firewall Up And Running
Although an antivirus and antispyware software may help detect malicious code and viruses, they aren’t enough in keeping your systems/server safe.A firewall monitors all connections in and out of the server hence blocks any unauthorized attempts. In other words, a firewall is more like a fence around your server, which keeps unwanted traffic and access out. Thus, it would be advisable to set up and activate your firewall to ensure your server is protected at all times.Any hacker will have to deal with the firewall first before they can touch your server. The added layer of protection is thus essential.