One of the most important actions to secure a web server from common threats is to regularly update and patch the server software. This includes the operating system, the web server software, the database software, and any other applications or frameworks that run on the server. Updating and patching the server software can fix known vulnerabilities, bugs, or errors that could be exploited by attackers to compromise the server or the website. Failing to update and patch the server software can expose the server to common attacks, such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting, remote code execution, denial-of-service, etc.
Installing a web application firewall, limiting the number of concurrent connections to the server, and encrypting the company’s website with SSL/TLS are also good practices to secure a web server, but they are not as critical as updating and patching the server software. A web application firewall can filter and block malicious requests, but it cannot prevent attacks that exploit unpatched vulnerabilities in the server software. Limiting the number of concurrent connections to the server can prevent overload and improve performance, but it cannot stop attackers from sending malicious requests or payloads. Encrypting the company’s website with SSL/TLS can protect the data in transit between the server and the client, but it cannot protect the data at rest on the server or prevent attacks that target the server itself.
Therefore, the priority action to secure a web server from common threats is to regularly update and patch the server software.
References:
Web Server Security- Beginner’s Guide - Astra Security Blog
Top 10 Web Server Security Best Practices | Liquid Web
21 Server Security Tips & Best Practices To Secure Your Server - phoenixNAP
