Is Joomla safe from cyber-attacks?
Since the rise of POS (point of sale) malware and cyberattacks on small businesses, the subject of whether Joomla is safe for e-commerce stores has been a source of concern. Joomla is not completely secure against hackers. When it comes to security, Joomla is still a sophisticated system with numerous vulnerabilities, such as cross-site scripting, that you may need to grasp in order to adequately safeguard your website. Joomla websites are frequently hacked, and visitors have no way of knowing because the proprietors do not disclose this information in their terms and conditions. However, there are only two plausible interpretations when we examine the reasons for it. The first is that owners fail to follow Joomla website security best practises, such as not keeping them up to date, and some don’t even understand how to secure their Joomla websites. The second explanation could be that they do update, yet hackers can still exploit gaps. Your website’s vulnerability or resistance to cyber attacks depends on how you keep data. In this article, we look into some of the most prevalent Joomla vulnerabilities and offer practical advice on how to secure your Joomla site.
Joomla plugins, versions, and extensions that are no longer supported
Updating Joomla components is the first step towards safeguarding a Joomla website. To do so, go to the Components page and choose Check for Updates from the drop-down menu. This will inform you whether or not there are any available updates. If so, it’s a good idea to select Install Updates, which will delete all of your Joomla website’s old and obsolete components. It is also necessary to uninstall any extensions that you no longer use when installing the updates since they may still be vulnerable or have a security hole that hackers could exploit. Only by going through each extension and unchecking the ones you don’t need can you do this.
Access to the Joomla Admin Backend can be restricted
This is an important step for Joomla store owners since it prevents hackers from gaining access to your website’s backend. The default Joomla administrator URL, which is normally http://www.yoursite.com/administrator, must be changed. To alter the default admin URL, you can utilise free Joomla plugins. The AdminExile plugin is a popular solution that you might wish to consider. It’s also a good idea to alter the default Username/Password when restricting access to guarantee that your Joomla website is safe.
Joomla Database should be updated
It’s also crucial to keep the database up to date and secure it with a good password. Change the MySQL database’s username and password by heading to Components > Secure MySQL Access in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen. Next, click Secure Connection after selecting your username and password from the Secure MySQL Access window options. This will encrypt your Joomla database with a strong password, making it impossible for hackers to steal data from your site. Similarly, if you wish to change the MySQL database’s username and password, return to the Components page and select Secure MySQL Access from the bottom right-hand corner of your browser. Then click the Secure Connection option after selecting Secure MySQL Access. This will encrypt the Joomla database with a strong password, making it more difficult for hackers to steal data from your site.
Get an SSL Certificate installed
Obtaining an SSL certificate for your website is also crucial. SSL encrypts data in transit between the web browser and the server, helping to protect sensitive information such as credit card details during online transactions. This encrypts all data transported across networks, making it more difficult for hackers to steal information about your website. If you only need to secure one domain or subdomain, a cheap positive SSL certificate would suffice. However, Joomla e-commerce website owners frequently have many first-level subdomains under one core domain, such as product pages, blogs, and payment pages. As a result, purchasing a separate single-domain SSL for each new subdomain they add is unnecessary. In this instance, a wildcard SSL certificate is highly recommended. Looking for a low-cost but high-quality wildcard? So, with a small fee, you can have premium encryption for your primary domain and limitless first-level subdomains with Rapidssl Wildcard!
Create Secure Passwords
Your Joomla administrator account must have a strong password. While this isn’t directly linked to Joomla website security, it will assist prevent hackers from gaining access to your admin console and causing damage. So, don’t use the same password you used before, or something simple like 123456.
Make use of Joomla’s two-factor authentication system
For optimal protection, utilise Two Factor Authentication (2FA) to restrict access to your Joomla admin console and reduce the possibilities of a hacker breaking in. To log in, all users will require two pieces of information: a username and password or a two-factor authentication token. This adds another layer of defence against hackers who may have stolen authentication credentials. Before they can access your website’s backend, they’ll need to provide extra information, such as an SMS text message or an app notification on their phone with a one-time code. Joomla 2FA is compatible with Joomla 3.2.0 and higher. Go to Components -> Post-Installation Messages and then Two Factor Authentication to enable Joomla Two Factor Authentication in your Administrator Panel. You’ll be taken to your user profile page. Install the Google Authenticator Client after that Scan the QR code with your phone, then enter the 6-digit code that appears, then click ‘Save & Close.’
Use a Joomla Web Application Firewall to protect your website
Install a Joomla Web Program Firewall (WAF), an application that protects web servers from harmful behaviour such as SQL injections and cross-site scripting, for maximum protection. Configure WAF to monitor incoming traffic for any questionable requests or even website attacks.
Regularly back up your data
It’s also a good idea to back up your Joomla website on a regular basis. If something goes wrong with your site, having an up-to-date copy that can be restored will help you recover from any disaster or hacking assault.”
Choose a reliable Hosting Provider
Keep in mind that the security of your Joomla website is partly determined by your hosting provider. As a result, you must select a reputable hosting company for your website. A secure Joomla website should be hosted on web servers that are dedicated to security and that will handle all technical issues to ensure that your site functions properly. To sum it up, having a safe Joomla website can be the difference between having a successful and profitable eCommerce company and one that is plagued by high-profile data breaches. Act immediately to secure your Joomla website and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your data is secured.
