Securing a forum - tips and tricks

[darkstar_tfd]

Securing a forum - tips and tricks

There are many types of forum software, but for most of them there a few tricks that will secure it and make it safer. It is important to secure your forum because once you have created a community, you do not want to lose it because of such a problem.

Except that, securing your forum may prevent it from being attacked using malware -> a thing that may also break your work in obtaining high rankings in Search Engine Result Pages.

A thing you should really look out for is the permission of your files and directories. If you do not have to set a 777 ( ! ) for a file or a directory, as default requested by the forum software, then don`t. This kind of files or folder facilitate attacks and make it really easy for the hacker.

Update the forum software -> check out for the latest release on the official software page. If you notice a security release, than try to be among the first who`ll update the platform. Do not give others the opportunity to break your forum down. Most security releases display the problem also, so the breach will be accesible to anyone.

Use a strong password for your administrator account. Also, try and make it different than the one you have on other forums with the same username ( it is not too difficult to obtain it if others have breaches ). Do not use the same password for your cpanel account. Again, if someone manages to obtain the password, than you will lose much more than just the forum.

Adding plugins to your forum may open up doors for the hackers. Check to see if others had any problems with those plugins. Extra modules do not have to neccesarily be bad, you can add a captcha in order to prevent automatic registration -> thus making the forum a nice place for the members.

Once you have hit a landmark, backup your forum. Database and files. It is important to have an archive in your computer, it never knows that can happen on the server or with the server, so keep your things at a safe place.

Feel free to add some more advices!

[Jennylba123]

Nice tips for the forum and community owners thanks for sharing ..........................

[erslageorge]

Thanks for nice advices about securing forum. It is quite helpful for me. I wasn't as much known such as information that you have shared here. I 'll seeking for more assistance. So , keep sharing updated info time to time..:)