Please Note: This article includes links to sources online about website security, that pertain specifically to individual programs like Wordpress and Microsoft Windows. While it is not possible for us to publish every security article for every program, a search on the web regarding security and updates for the software you run should return numerous results.

Website security is a topic on a lot of users' minds. If you search the web for How to hack a website, you will literally get millions of hits. Taking the necessary precautions now with your website will help prevent a big headache later on in the event anything does happen to your website.

Backing up your account

There are numerous techniques that hackers can use to compromise a website, however the reasons these techniques are successful are usually because of:

1. Vulnerabilities in the software you run on your hosting account
2. Vulnerabilities in software that you run on your local computer

Vulnerabilities in the software you run on your hosting account

Most software that users run on their website is Open Source software. Open Source software is software that is freely available for anyone to download and use. For example, both Joomla and Wordpress are very commonly used, and they are both Open Source. One of the drawbacks of Open Source software is that anyone can download and view the software's code, which makes it easier for hackers to find ways to compromise a website. The authors of such Open Source Applications release updates and security patches on a regular basis. Please be sure that you are running the most current versions of any third party software on your website, as the most current version is usually the most secure version as well.

The following is a list of links, for Wordpress and Joomla specifically, that point to the software's own information about security:

Wordpress.org - How to Keep WordPress Secure
http://wordpress.org/development/2009/09/keep-wordpress-secure/

Wordpress.org - Hardening WordPress
http://codex.wordpress.org/Hardening_WordPress

Wordpress.org - Upgrading Wordpress
http://codex.wordpress.org/Upgrading_WordPress

Joomla.org - Joomla Security Center
http://developer.joomla.org/security.html

The Joomla Security Center includes information about their latest security news, their latest security articles, and more information in general about the Joomla Security Strike Team.

Joomla.org - Upgrade Instructions
http://docs.joomla.org/Upgrade_Instructions

Vulnerable plugins

Keeping any third party plugins / extensions on your website up to date is just as important as keeping the core software up to date as well. We've compiled a short list of links for more information about this topic as well.

Vulnerabilities in software that you run on your local computer

The IT industry is changing every day, especially when it comes to the Internet and security. Keeping your software up to date, both on your hosting account and on your own computer is one of the best ways to secure your website. You should also regularly scan your computer for viruses and malware, maintain regular backups of your website, and be sure to contact the InMotion Hosting Support Department if you have any additional questions.