Many people opt for dedicated servers due to their inherently better security when compared to other hosting options, like shared and free hosting. Still, no server is 100 percent safe from web attacks, data breaches and other security concerns at any given time. If you use a dedicated server or Refurbished Dell Servers for your website, email, gaming or other needs, there are some simple yet effective steps you can take to increase security and reduce your chances of a breach.
Know Your Networks
Start by considering the networks you use when logging into your server administration platform on a regular basis. Ideally, you should only be using trusted networks (such as your own secured and wired network) to log in. Specifically, you should be careful to avoid any networks you don’t know or networks that are open to the public (like those found in your local coffee shop). The truth is that anybody can see what you’re doing on these open networks, which means someone could end up with your server panel login credentials without your authorization.
Add DDoS Protection
Does your dedicated server have DDoS protection in place? If not, then you could be at greater risk of a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack. These attacks occur when your site and/or server becomes flooded with “fake” web traffic that is meant to slow down or even debilitate your server completely. These types of attacks can cause unexpected downtime, which can create additional problems for website owners. By choosing a dedicated hosting plan with built-in DDoS protection or adding this type of protection to your existing plan, however, you can reduce your risk.
Check for Updates
Checking for security updates and patches on a regular basis is a must when it comes to protecting your dedicated server. Don’t make the mistake of waiting until you’re alerted of an available security patch or update; by this point, your information could already be compromised. Instead, take the time to check for these updates each time you log into your admin panel, and when an update or patch becomes available, don’t delay in installing them. On a similar note, it’s a good idea to delete any unused platforms or apps from your server panel because security vulnerabilities in these platforms could leave your server exposed.
Back Up Your Data
When was the last time you backed up the data on your dedicated server? If it’s been more than a few days, then you need to make time to perform this important security task. By backing up your data, you’ll be able to fall back on previous versions of your site’s coding and other files should you fall victim to a web attack or data breach. Ideally, you should be backing up your data at least once every few days, though you may need to do this more frequently if you have a lot of new files coming in or if existing files are updated. Most importantly, your backed up data should be on a separate server or you can use from your regular business to avoid both being compromised.
While, unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to guarantee your server will never fall victim to an attack, following these steps will help to reduce your server’s risk and give you added peace of mind in the process. As an added bonus, none of these security steps should take much of your time or resources.
