If you don’t use cPanel, you’re presumably using Plesk, one of the most popular hosting platforms. Hackers target hosting solutions like cPanel to obtain access to online apps and server resources with high privileges. Windows Plesk server management has various security extensions that assist strengthen the protection of websites, but reliance on basic extensions without adhering to best practices may still expose your website and the core Plesk master domain to hackers and attacks. In this post, we will uncover the best practices for Plesk security.
What is Plesk?
Hosting managers install frameworks and administration tools to assist website owners in managing their sites. Customers may then personalize their sites to match their business demands.
Plesk and cPanel are two of the most used tools; however, Plesk is frequently used when many operating systems and platforms are given hosting possibilities. Hosts who provide VPS and dedicated server solutions to their clients will benefit the most from Plesk.
Plesk’s interaction with popular CMS programs like WordPress, Drupa, and Joomla makes it appealing to clients. It is possible to extend the core code of Plesk to include additional features for customers.
What Is the Importance of Plesk Security?
Hundreds of clients might be affected if a single person breaches the security of a single server. Administrators should keep an eye on the recent Plesk warnings for any zero-day vulnerabilities that potentially compromise hundreds of sites on numerous servers.
In 2012, a flaw in the WebHost allowed attackers to get hold of the master password used by hosting service administrators to govern all of the server’s websites. Using this password, the attackers could take over any site running on the Plesk host.
Site hijacking isn’t the only harm that may be inflicted, but it is one of the worst. Malicious code can be uploaded or injected into code files by attackers. Malware can go undiscovered for long periods of time, draining server resources and resulting in a poor user experience. This leads to client complaints, which in turn damages the reputation of the hosting firm.
Best Security Practices for Plesk
- Update Regularly
When a security flaw or a problem is discovered and fixed, the developers of Plesk release an update. Security patches are more critical than other updates to safeguard websites from known vulnerabilities.
Like the well-known Equifax intrusion, numerous significant data breaches have been traced back to out-of-date software. To guarantee that you always have the newest version of Plesk, you may leverage options to install updates periodically.
- Create Passwords Using Complexity Rules
In general, people tend to use the same password for various websites, and such passwords are often made up of a word and a number or two. Users’ passwords are vulnerable to brute-force assaults when using passwords with few characters on several websites.
Plesk might be hacked using the same credentials stolen from a different site, allowing hackers to access the user’s account. Passwords with more characters are better protected against brute-force assaults; however, long passwords alone are insufficient.
The user must also adhere to the complexity guidelines. Passwords must follow the complexity criteria, which stipulate that they must contain a mix of capital and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Assert Multi-Factor Verification
Plesk administrators cannot compel a user to use the same password on many sites because of phishing and brute-force password attempts. Due to flaws in the SS7 protocol, two-factor authentication (2FA) through text messages is no longer safe.
In addition to SIM swapping, attackers utilize social engineering to persuade telecom representatives to route communications to the attacker’s SIM instead of the victim’s. For these two reasons, most companies collaborate with authenticators to produce a user-specific code as the second step in two-factor authentication.
- CMS Updates Can Be Automated
Automated updates are available in both WordPress and the Plesk control panel. The CMS software will be protected against the most recent CVEs thanks to automatic updates, which will keep the program up to date with the most recent fixes and upgrades.
Don’t forget to update all plugins while doing a WordPress update to prevent the site from becoming vulnerable. Not all of a site’s software is powered by CMS. Plesk can switch on automatic updates for certain programs so that they are not the cause of a security breach.
- Create a Clickjacking-Proof Domain Configuration
Clickjacking is a method through which an attacker takes control of a victim’s computer and forces them to carry out orders against their will by clicking buttons and entering data. Unknown to the user, a hidden iframe is utilized as an overlay to encapsulate the actual site. In most cases, the iframe is loaded with authorized content from the real site by the attacker.
When a targeted victim clicks buttons on an attacker-controlled website, commands are sent to the genuine website, which may undertake operations such as money transfers or revealing sensitive information.
Using best practices considerably decreases risk and protects the Plesk server against vulnerabilities. These recommended practices can help you further strengthen your system’s security.
Hi, I am Adam Smith, Admin Of TechSketcher, Creative blogger and Digital Marketer.