So how should you go about conducting a website security audit? The key is to take it one step at a time.
Step 1. Define Objectives and ScopeDetermine the objectives of the audit, such as identifying vulnerabilities, ensuring compliance with specific standards, or assessing overall security posture. Define the scope of the audit, including which parts of the website, databases, and infrastructure are to be examined.
Step 2. Gather InformationCollect information about the website, architecture, technologies, and third-party components or plugins. Obtain access to relevant documentation, source code, and configuration files.
Step 3. Asset InventoryCreate an inventory of all assets related to the website, including servers, databases, domains, subdomains, and third-party services.
Step 4. Vulnerability ScanningUse automated vulnerability scanning tools to identify known security vulnerabilities in the website’s software, plugins, and configurations. Analyze the results to prioritize and address critical vulnerabilities.
Step 5. Manual Code ReviewConduct a manual review of the website’s source code to identify security flaws, coding errors, and misconfigurations. Check for improper input validation, insecure authentication mechanisms, and potential injection vulnerabilities.
Step 6. Authentication and Authorization AssessmentEvaluate the effectiveness of user authentication and authorization mechanisms. Verify that users have appropriate access levels and permissions based on their roles.
Step 7. Data Security AssessmentExamine how sensitive data is stored, transmitted, and processed on the website. Verify encryption practices, data leakage risks, and compliance with data protection regulations.
Step 8. Server and Network SecurityAssess the security of web servers, database servers, and network infrastructure. Review firewall configurations, access controls, and intrusion detection systems.
Step 9. Third-Party DependenciesEvaluate the security of the website’s third-party components, libraries, and plugins. Check for vulnerabilities in these dependencies and ensure they are up to date.
Step 10. Security Policies and ProceduresReview the organization’s security policies and procedures related to the website. Assess incident response plans, access control policies, and employee training.
Step 11. Compliance AuditVerify compliance with relevant industry-specific security standards and regulations, such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, or GDPR.
Step 12. DocumentationCreate a detailed report summarizing the security audit findings, including identified vulnerabilities and recommended remediation steps. Include an executive summary for non-technical stakeholders.
Step 13. Remediation Plan Develop a prioritized plan for addressing identified vulnerabilities and security weaknesses. Assign responsibilities for implementing security fixes and improvements.
Step 14. ImplementationImplement the remediation plan by applying security patches, making code changes, and improving configurations.
Step 15. Ongoing Monitoring Continuously monitor the website for security threats and vulnerabilities, using tools and practices like intrusion detection systems, log analysis, and regular security scans.
Step 16. Training and Awareness Educate website administrators, developers, and users about security best practices and the importance of maintaining a secure website.
Step 17. Regular AuditsSchedule regular security audits to ensure ongoing protection and to address new vulnerabilities as they emerge.
Step 18: Gather Your ToolsYou can’t secure your website without the right tools. Here are some of the most popular:
- Quttera Free Website Malware Scanner. The Malware Scanner will scan your website to determine if there is an HTML or JavaScript malware infection.
- Quttera WordPress Web Malware Scanner plugin. The WordPress scanner will scan your website’s core and source files ( i.e., PHP, JavaScript, CSS files) for potential malware infection.
- WordPress Security Scanner. This tool will scan your website for security vulnerabilities. (link to plugin) Broken Link Checker. Broken links are cumbersome for your site’s visitors. This tool will help remove them. (link to plugin)
- WordPress Speed Test. Your visitors want to be able to access your site quickly without lag time. This tool will test the speed of your website. (link to plugin)
- Accessibility Audit Tool. If your site has issues making it less accessible, this tool will help address that. (link to plugin)
Step 19: Create a ChecklistA prepared list of actions will help you save time when performing an audit. Once you have your tools, you can create a checklist of what you want to audit. This lets you stay organized, ensuring you don’t overlook any critical components.
Your checklist should include the following items:
- Is your site infected with malware?
- Is your site reference blacklisted domains?
- Are all your plugins updated?
- Are all your website themes updated?
- Do you have any security vulnerabilities?
- How fast is your site loading?
- Are there any issues impacting site accessibility?
- Is your website data backed up if you need to recover information?
- Do you have a Web Application Firewall (WAF) for optimal protection?
- How strong is your password?
If that sounds like a lot of work, you’re not wrong. But with the right platform in your corner, you can make website security much easier to get ahold of. That’s where Quttera’s ThreatSign! The platform can help.