How to secure your hosting account from hackers: essential security tips

Here are several helpful tips to strengthen the security of your hosting account. At Spaceship, we prioritize the security of our customers with protective measures on our servers, including a powerful firewall system. Some aspects of account security are in the hands of the account owner, so keep the following tips in mind.

1. Choose a strong username and password

It's strongly recommended that you avoid using passwords based on common dictionary words, names of relatives, friends, pets, significant dates, cities, or personal information. These types of passwords are not secure, especially if your personal details are accessible on social media.

Hackers often employ cryptanalytic tools, known as brute-force attacks, to reveal passwords. These attacks systematically try different combinations of characters to find the correct one. If your password is a simple dictionary word, then it’s more vulnerable to attacks like this.

To enhance security, it’s better to use passwords that consist of a random mix of lowercase and uppercase letters, special characters, and digits. These are all requirements for Spaceship’s account password, which also needs to be at least eight characters long. 

You can also use a password generation tool to create a complex and secure password.

2. Keep your login details in a secure location

Avoid storing the login details for your Spaceship account, mailboxes, and website dashboards in a text file on your desktop, particularly if others have access to your computer. Instead, it may be a good idea to securely store your passwords with password management software, such as Roboform or LastPass.

It’s also important not to share your login details with anyone.

3. Regularly update your passwords

It’s strongly recommended that you change your passwords from time to time for improved security.

4. Scan your web space

To protect your hosting account from potential threats, it’s advisable to regularly scan your files for malicious software. You can begin by using the built-in Virus Scanner and Imunify360 malware scanner available in cPanel.

Additionally, consider using free online scanners to further check for any issues. For example, you can use Sucuri SiteCheck

Also, combining multiple scanning methods provides a more comprehensive security check. To reduce the risk of viruses and malware, ensure you only use trusted themes and plugins.

5. Maintain regular backups

It’s essential to keep a backup of your account in a secure location, either on your computer or a third-party server. Remember to update your backup regularly to avoid losing important information. You can create a backup through cPanel by navigating to the Backup menu.

Also, it’s a good idea to purchase AutoBackup to retrieve a full cPanel backup (all account files, databases, email accounts, and settings) right away. Several backup snapshots will be stored, so you have a choice of which backup to use. 

6. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication (2FA) provides an additional layer of security by requiring access to a mobile device or phone number connected to your account. Without your phone or tablet, you won’t be able to log in.

With 2FA enabled, your Spaceship account is protected from unauthorized access, even if someone has your login details.

7. Ensure the security of your computer

It’s important to have an effective firewall and antivirus software with up-to-date definitions installed on your personal computer. Be sure to run full system scans on a regular basis to detect any potential threats. Some viruses are designed to steal your login details and send them to malicious actors. Keyloggers, which are malicious applications that record your keystrokes and take screenshots, can also pose a threat. A reliable antivirus program can help detect and remove all threats, so always remember to frequently check your PC for security issues.

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