CMS Security: How to Keep Client Websites Secure

In today’s digital world, security is a critical concern for businesses and freelancers alike, especially when it comes to managing websites. Content management systems (CMS) like WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal provide the foundation for countless websites. While these systems make it easy to build and manage sites, they also present significant security risks if not properly protected. For freelancers who manage client websites, ensuring the security of these platforms is paramount.

This guide delves into the best practices for keeping client websites secure, covering key security principles, common threats, and actionable steps to safeguard content management systems from malicious attacks.

The internet is a hub for opportunity and innovation, but it is also rife with vulnerabilities. Every day, hackers exploit weak points in websites to steal data, damage reputations, or cause disruptions. As a freelancer managing websites for clients, it’s your responsibility to protect your clients’ websites from these potential threats.

Content management systems (CMS) are popular targets because they house a wealth of information and often rely on open-source code, which makes their vulnerabilities more widely known. Whether you’re working with WordPress, Joomla, or another CMS, securing the website must be a priority from the start.

This guide will explore essential CMS security strategies, helping you mitigate risks and ensure your clients’ websites are protected.

Common CMS Security Threats

Understanding the potential threats to a CMS-based website is the first step in protecting it. Here are some of the most common vulnerabilities:

1. Brute Force Attacks

A brute force attack is when hackers repeatedly attempt to guess the login credentials of a website until they succeed. Weak passwords or using “admin” as a username make this method highly effective.

2. Malware and Backdoors

Malicious software (malware) can be injected into websites through vulnerabilities in plugins, themes, or weak server configurations. Backdoors give hackers ongoing access to a website, allowing them to make changes or steal data without detection.

3. SQL Injection Attacks

SQL injections occur when hackers insert malicious SQL code into input fields (such as login forms) to access and manipulate the website’s database. This can lead to unauthorized data access, including sensitive client information.

4. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

XSS attacks happen when hackers inject malicious scripts into web pages, which are then executed in the browsers of unsuspecting users. This can lead to the theft of personal information or the spread of malware.

5. Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks

A DoS attack floods a website with traffic, overwhelming its server and rendering it inaccessible to legitimate users. This type of attack can cause significant downtime and loss of revenue.

Essential CMS Security Best Practices

To protect your clients’ websites from these and other threats, there are several key security best practices you should follow.

1. Keep Everything Updated

Outdated CMS versions, plugins, and themes are the most common entry points for hackers. Regular updates ensure that your website benefits from the latest security patches and bug fixes.

Core Updates: Always update the CMS itself (e.g., WordPress, Joomla) as soon as new versions are released. These updates often address security vulnerabilities.
Plugin and Theme Updates: Ensure that all plugins and themes are regularly updated. Remove any unused or obsolete plugins, as they can still pose a risk even if not active.

2. Use Strong Passwords and Usernames

Weak credentials are the easiest entry point for brute force attacks. Strengthening usernames and passwords is a simple yet effective way to enhance security.

Complex Passwords: Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Consider using a password manager to store complex passwords securely.
Avoid ‘Admin’ Username: Change the default ‘admin’ username to something unique to make it harder for hackers to guess.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA for both admin accounts and users. This adds an additional layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, such as a code sent to a mobile device.

3. Secure the Login Process

Beyond strong credentials, securing the login process further minimizes the risk of unauthorized access.

Limit Login Attempts: Implement plugins or features that limit the number of failed login attempts, preventing brute force attacks.
Use Captcha: Add CAPTCHA to your login pages to distinguish between humans and bots.
Hide Login URLs: Change the default login URLs (e.g., /wp-admin for WordPress) to something unique. This helps prevent automated attacks that target standard login paths.

4. Implement SSL Certificates

Securing your website with an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is vital for encrypting data transmitted between users and the website. Not only does SSL help protect sensitive information, but it also boosts search engine rankings and builds trust with users.

Free SSL Certificates: Services like Let’s Encrypt provide free SSL certificates, making it easy to secure your site without extra cost.
HTTPS Everywhere: Ensure that the entire website operates over HTTPS, not just the login or checkout pages.

5. Regular Backups

In the event of a security breach, having regular backups ensures you can quickly restore the website to a previous state without losing data.

Automated Backups: Use backup plugins or services to automate the backup process. Ensure that backups are stored offsite or on a separate server.
Test Restorations: Regularly test your backups to ensure they can be restored quickly and effectively.

6. Harden Your CMS

Harden your CMS to make it more difficult for hackers to access.

File Permissions: Set strict file permissions to prevent unauthorized modifications. For WordPress, set wp-config.php to 440 or 400, and directories should be 755 while files should be 644.
Disable File Editing: In WordPress, disable file editing in the dashboard by adding define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true); to wp-config.php. This prevents unauthorized changes to theme and plugin files.
Disable Directory Browsing: Hackers can gain insight into your site’s structure if directory browsing is enabled. Disable it by adding Options -Indexes to your .htaccess file.

7. Install Security Plugins

Security plugins can help detect and prevent attacks before they cause harm.

Wordfence: Provides firewall protection, malware scanning, and login security for WordPress.
Sucuri Security: Monitors for malware, blacklisting, and security threats, and provides a firewall for real-time protection.
iThemes Security: Offers over 30 security measures, including brute force protection, 2FA, and file integrity monitoring.

8. Secure Your Database

Since the database stores all of your website’s content and settings, protecting it is crucial.

Change Database Prefix: For WordPress, change the default wp_ prefix to something unique. This makes it harder for attackers to guess your table names.
Use Strong Database Passwords: Set a complex password for your database and avoid using easily guessable usernames.
Limit Database Privileges: Grant only the necessary permissions to your database user. Avoid using a superuser account for regular database operations.

Monitor and Respond to Security Threats

Securing a website is an ongoing process. It’s essential to continuously monitor your CMS for potential threats and respond quickly to any issues.

1. Regular Security Audits

Perform regular security audits to identify vulnerabilities and weak spots.

Audit Tools: Use tools like WPScan (for WordPress) or Akeeba Admin Tools (for Joomla) to scan your website for vulnerabilities.
Log Monitoring: Monitor access logs to detect suspicious activity, such as repeated login attempts or unauthorized file access.

2. Set Up Notifications for Suspicious Activity

Configure your CMS to notify you of any unusual or suspicious activity.

Failed Login Alerts: Receive alerts for failed login attempts or multiple logins from different locations.
File Change Detection: Get notified if any core files, themes, or plugins are modified without authorization.

3. Establish an Incident Response Plan

In case of a security breach, having a clear plan for responding to the situation will help minimize damage.

Action Steps: Immediately change passwords, restore backups, and identify how the breach occurred.
Communication Plan: Inform your clients about the breach, outline the steps you’re taking to fix it, and provide reassurance that their data is safe.

As a freelancer managing client websites, security should be at the forefront of your development process. By understanding common threats and implementing these best practices, you can significantly reduce the risk of a security breach. Remember, CMS security is not a one-time task—it’s an ongoing responsibility that requires regular updates, monitoring, and proactive measures.

Keeping client websites secure not only protects their data but also builds trust and enhances your reputation as a reliable freelancer. By following these security strategies, you can ensure your clients’ websites remain safe, functional, and protected against the ever-present threats of the online world.