Cybersecurity challenges are many, and one such cybersecurity challenge is web defacement. Globally, many company domains have earlier faced the issue of web defacement.
Technically, web defacement can be defined as a process wherein malicious parties penetrate the website and replace content over the website, with some obnoxious content.
Related: What Does Malicious Defacement Mean?
In general, websites and web applications manage their data in the web environment or configuration files wherein it affects the content displayed on the website, and specifications over the page content.
Any unauthorized changes t the files can lead to security compromise and any third-party indulgence in such website content changes is generally classified as web defacement for the company domains.
The company domains must be more secure from this kind of web defacement. In the process of working on best practices for how to own a domain name, focusing on the issues of web defacement is one of the complex elements to account for.
In this article, some of the best practices suitable for dealing with web defacement and securing the company domain from such challenges are discussed.
1. Secure the Files Uploaded to the Website
One of the critical areas wherein the websites face the issue of web defacement is the sources of the files uploaded to the website.
When uploading the files for the website to the company domain, the following are some of the key factors to understand.
- Change the permissions on the files getting uploaded so that the server doesn’t try to run them as default.
- Ensure the files are stored in a place other than the root directory and give them a different name to make it harder for hackers to track the files for any web defacement attempts.
- Limit the file types and sizes that can be uploaded. Don’t allow upload files that are too big.
- A virus check should be done on every file.
2. Limit the Access to the Company Domain
Access to the company domain for many could be a threat of a kind as high-level access weakens your security and makes it possible for an attack from the inside or for a compromised account to be used to get in.
The more people who access a company domain console, the harder it is to make sure that strong login credentials are used.
Limit the kinds of administrative access each user can, and deployment of regulated and monitored access to the company domain console and configurations can help in preventing any kind of web defacement attacks.
3. The Transition of the Site to HTTPS
A website transitions from HTTP to HTTPS upon a successful SSL certificate. It makes it safe for the user and the server to share private information.
With an SSL certificate, attackers can’t make a fake version of the site, and it helps users trust the site, which is kind of significant security for the company domain.
Also, as the traffic is encrypted, communication between the node and servers over the website is secured and can prevent any scope of web defacement attacks to great extent.
When the business contemplates how to own a domain name, one of the factors to account for is the scope of HTTPS mode, wherein the SSL certification is available for the company domain.
4. Backup Regularly
In the case of web defacement, one of the key issues is about how the content in the company domain website is changed by hackers.
To prevent such conditions, it is far more important for businesses to rely on backup options and ensure all the latest updates into the company domain website are backup accordingly.
While the options are many for backup, choosing the appropriate methods for backing up the company domain data is important for disaster recovery planning.
5. Assign Domain Ownership to Corporate Entity
The decision on how to own a domain name should focus on the dimensions of registering the company domain name as the asset of the corporate entity rather than from an individual account.
Thus, in the instances of any change in leadership or business management too, the web defacement of the domain name can be avoided.
6. Domain Registration Service Provider for Company domain
Use a domain name registrar with a good reputation instead of a small business, which is more likely to go out of business and put your domain name at risk.
Working with a service provider with a lot of experience in the market and who can guarantee the most stability for your company domain name is important.
7. Locking the Domain Name
Another important step to secure the domain name, in the case of businesses working towards how to own a domain name is to ensure not to leave your domain name “unlocked,” because, in such an unlocked scenario, the threat of web defacement for the company domain name persists.
As soon as you have registered your company domain name, you can use the domain name management system to lock it.
8. Security Update (2FA) for Domain Names
MYNIC is dedicated to ensuring the security of your valuable domain name, and to this end, they are introducing an additional layer of security called Two Factor Authentication (2FA).
This will provide customers with better peace of mind when using the Domain Name Management System to make any Domain Name Server (DNS) modifications. As part of the 2FA implementation, there will be a second check when submitting an application to modify your Name Server.
This second check will involve sending an SMS to your registered mobile phone number to confirm that the transaction is authorized. This ensures that the Domain Management System remains secure, and that customers are confident when making any necessary DNS modifications.
It is important to note that to participate in the 2FA implementation, your Technical Contact person, as stated in the MYNIC database, must register a mobile phone number no later than 9th March 2015.
For more information: Two Factor Authentication – Second Layer of Identity Verification
9. Registering the Domain Name for Long Tenure
The other easier approach to secure the company domain name from the issues of web defacement is to register the domain name for longer periods.
Best practices like registering the company domain name for 10 years or so can mitigate the risks of web defacement of the domain name.
In addition to the above, focusing on some other practices too like registering the variations to the domain name, and relying on the VPN connections for access to the company domain are some good options.
Also, having regular audits of the company domain names is important. There are professional services available from experts to identify any kind of web defacement threats for the company domain name, and such services can be engaged.
Are you working on how to own a domain name? Reach out to the Exabytes Malaysia team to assist you in the process of choosing the company domain without the hassles of web defacement.
At Exabytes Malaysia, we currently have some exciting promotions for domain privacy protection. Contact us right now for more!
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