There are like thousands of developers writing code for Drupal, which is one of the most popular content management systems of today. Despite of having some iron hide security protocols, it has been seen at times that Drupallers are victimized by cyber crooks.
So why does this happen even when Drupal Security is known to be very hard! Well, there is not a straight answer to that. However, some root causes for assailants to peek into the data are often left by the user end. Secondly, being open-source, clearly allows the masses to be engaged in ever new improvements and updates of the software. Still, sometimes bugs also pop up, and instances such as this become Drupal security loopholes.
Hence, it’s highly imperative that Drupallers should always keep themselves updated with the preliminary knowledge about Drupal security, which is why, we believe that our today’s post will be of high importance for you on Drupal Security issues.
Drupal Security Issues & Tips – Not to Compromise In Any Case
Here, we have put together some of the quick tips with which you can enforce rigid protocols to your Drupal Security. And also, understand things that you should be doing in order to make your website hackproof.
1- Keep Your Drupal Install Updated
Well, isn’t this just obvious, a rundown old version of the code is prone to be misused and hacked. The thriving community of Drupallers, just because of this, keeps on launching new and improved versions of Drupal install.
So always integrate these new updates as the latest software holds improved core and functionality with zero known Drupal security challenges.
2- Always Keep Maintained Plug-ins And Modules
The fantastic third-party add-ons and extensions are just great. They improve the functionality of your website in many cases and also provide some specific functions that you feel are missing from your Drupal website.
But beware! Always check whether these modules are kept maintained by their developers or not. It’s because modules that, for some reason, are not updated or maintained provide additional Drupal Security loopholes to assailants.
3- Making Strong Passwords
This is also the foremost thing that you need to keep in mind for Drupal Security, make passwords for your admin and FTP that are hard to guess and phonetic.
Also, make sure that other areas of your domain that can be hardened with log-ins also contain hard passwords, and yes! Please don’t make the same passwords for all of the login IDs. Secondly, it’s also sensible if you change your password every once in a while.
4- Authorize Website Accounts
Now, if your website is the one where users can make accounts, you need to see that these account formations are not automated.
As an administrator, if you set permissions on these registrations, you will have a check on who is trying to do that. If you spot something fishy like a phoney name or details, dismiss the request immediately. Doing this will help you eliminate Drupal security issues.
5- Setup Firewall Settings
This is for folks who are mainly in the shared hosting environment. To increase your Drupal security, you would need to add firewall settings into your web server and database server.
A firewall limits the accessibility to your website- even the authorized one and hardens your Drupal Security; in this way, if any chum of yours still manages to get your credentials, they won’t be able to get into your website.
6- Make A Security Strategy For Your Independent Modules
Guess, we covered this issue before, but here is another tip. You need to setup an independent security plan for all the modules that you have yourself modified.
For example, if it’s an old plugin that you have tweaked to be compatible with your Drupal install, an independent Drupal security Plan Will Keep You Safe until a New Version of That Module Is Launched.
7- Think Like A Hacker
Yes, this one is old; we know it! But that doesn’t mean its useless. In order to keep your site safe from the hacker, you need to think, walk and talk like them. Step into their shoes; think hard how they would try to get into your website and disable your Drupal Security.
Anyways, if that can’t be done, get help from a friend who’s a bit on “that side” and ask if there is anything on your site that can be used to wiggle through.
8- Audit Your Drupal Security
Now, this is something you should definitely do (and forget our previous pointer). You can audit your Drupal Security. Certain independent tools such as Acunetix, Nikto, and Skipfish help you do just that.
They check the security protocols of your website and give you legit information on how you can inhibit them. Interesting, isn’t it!
9- Get the Spam Fighter: Mollom
Spam is the foulest nuisance there is in the online world. And a Drupal security menace too. The only way to safeguard your Drupal security from the menace of Spam is either by monitoring your feeds yourself or by getting some smart software to do that (which is the most logical way to do so).
This is why we suggest you to use MOLLOM, which fights off spam from your pages, articles, node, blocks notorious contact forms, and protects you from fake user accounts.
10- Get In Touch With the Drupal Community And Security Team
Fortunately for us, Drupal has a great community of developers. So if you feel like you are stuck somewhere, you don’t know the solution to- you can always address them with the problem.
Drupal Security team itself is a walking and talking fighting machine that makes sure that Drupal Security protocol and Code keeps the Crooks at bay. You can get in touch with them too and report anything you feel like sharing at security@drupal.org.
Be Realistic About Hosting
There comes a time when owner is not even responsible if the site is hacked, but the hosting provider is. Now, we don’t want you to see that time.
Be sure and always realistic about the hosting you get for your website. A crappy hosting is not only a Drupal security threat but also mars your online performance. So always choose a popular and efficient hosting provider for your website.
Or, Get It All “Managed”
This here is another segment of hosting, which is called the managed hosting solution, and it’s like a virtual assistant that will help you in all the phases of your online functionality.
The managed hosting providers would not only integrate robust Drupal security measures onto your website, but they would also timely monitor it and ensure that it’s safe. This is a great option for individuals that find it hard to manage time and address their online security concerns.
BOTTOM-LINE
If you want a HACK-FREE website, the aforementioned are the ways you can get it. However, if you feel that we might have missed a point or two, then jump in and tell us what your most effective measure is for Drupal Security. We would love to hear them, and we will surely add them to our list.
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