5. What Can I Do? Understandthatsecurityis a layeredapproach Select a properhostingcompany Follow best practice guidelines Use the toolsthat are available TAKE IT SERIOUSLY! MAKE IT MANDATORY!!!
6. Initial Steps Change the jos_databaseprefix RemoveAdmin user Turn OFF the WYSIWYG editor Subscribe to the Joomla Security Updates list
7. Let’s Talk Tools Security startsat home Use a good anti-virus software likeKaspersky Use a passwordgenerator/managerKeepass.info or keepassx.org Browser Updates Operating System updates Use secure SFTP toolsWinSCP, Filezilla, Dreamweaver, Putty SSH
8. HostingCompanies Cloudaccess.net Rochenhost.com Plexicloud.com 1and1.com Simplweb.com Stayawayfrom godaddy.com, siteground.com, dreamhost.com, Yahoo Web Hosting General rule of thumb: You getwhatyoupay for!
9. Permissions Use proper permissions on files and directories. They should never be 777 What they should be: Files = 644 Directories = 755
10. Backups Akeeba Backup Akeebabackup.com 2 versions to choosefrom (Core and Pro) Backup your entire site and its database with a single click Automatic Backups (Cron and Cron-less) Offsite Backups to S3, Dropbox, Rackspace, FTP Test your backups once in a while
11. Admin Tools AkeebaAdmin Tools Pro – Akeebabackup.com IntegratedJoomla Updater Web Application Firewall IP Whitelist/Blacklist, Bad Words Filter, Security Exceptions Log Htaccess File Maker – Experts ONLY! Permissions Fixer
13. Additional Suggestions Completelyremoveunused extensions Leave FTP File Layer disabled From the Joomla administrator area make sure the Register Globals is set to off Avoid using PHP4
14. DisasterRecovery Plan Create a DisasterRecovery Plan A list of the sites you maintain A list of user names and passwords for your sites The databases names, server addresses or IP, user names and passwords, that are used for your list of sites FTP user names and passwords for each of your sites Your web hosts tech support number Have a backup web host decided in case for some reason you need to move quickly Know how to get into your domain registrar so you can change Name Servers if needed Name, number, email of a web professional that may be able to help restore your systems if needed Practice a FULL recovery
16. I’ve Been Hacked Don’t Panic! Remember? You have a disasterrecovery plan. Login and change youradminpassword. Browseyour files for anythingobviouslyunusualthatdoesn’tbelong. Grabyourlatest few backups and compare those to make sure they do not alsocontainanypayloads. Downloadyour server log files. Check your logs for IP's calling suspicious files or attempting POST commands to non-form's. Notify your host and work with them to clean up the site, and to make sure there are no back doors to your site or hire a professional to help Restore yourwebsitewith a clean backup copy. EnsureJoomla and your extensions are all using the latest versions.
20. Then paste your new MD5 encrypted password into the password field.
21.
Editor's Notes
Changing this prefix will prevent most exploits. If your site is already set up you can use a tool called “EasySQL” to change your current database prefix.Creating a new super administrator will also create a new user ID. Hackers already know 2/3rds of your original Super Admin information. They know the Username and User ID. They only need to figure out your Password.Turning off the editor site wide in the global configuration will prevent front end users from uploading and manipulating files from the front end. Just select NO EDITOR from the dropdown list.
