Cyberattacks have become increasingly sophisticated, and if you own or manage a website, it’s only natural to want to protect it with a website firewall solution.
Perhaps you have a WordPress blog and only need basic scanning and backup tools. Or maybe you run a popular e-commerce site that needs an extra layer of protection.
Regardless of the size of your website or its platform, here’s what you should be looking for in terms of website application firewall solutions and how you can choose the right expert security for your needs.
What Is a Web Application Firewall (WAF)?
A website firewall monitors and controls incoming and outgoing data traffic, establishing a barrier between your computer or trusted network and the Internet. An application firewall works at the application/service level, offering protection by controlling the input and output of that application or service.
Finally, a web application firewall (WAF) filters, monitors, and blocks incoming malicious HTTP/HTTPS traffic to a web app. This is the name given to any application software run in a browser instead of locally. It also filters and monitors outgoing data, preventing unauthorized information from leaving the web app.
Web application firewall solutions work by sitting between external users and websites and analyzing all HTTP/HTTPS communication. The WAF then identifies and blocks web attacks, letting only legitimate traffic go through to the app servers. Traditional network firewalls prevent unauthorized users as defined by firewall policies and protect against DNS and FTP attacks. A website firewall, on the other hand, will focus on threats like cross-site scripting (XSS), SQL injection, and DDoS attacks.
What to Look for in a Website Firewall
An ideal website firewall prevents malicious traffic from bad bots, and blocks backdoor access and targeted attacks. It keeps you informed with real-time traffic statistics and reports. Other worthwhile features to have in a web application firewall are improving search engine optimization, preventing search engine blacklisting, and eliminating comment/form spam.
When deciding on a web application firewall solution, you don’t need to be an expert to be able to protect your website. Choose a reputable web application firewall that offers you sophisticated protection from cyber threats but with a quick and easy setup. If necessary, add emergency cleaning to remove pre-existing infections.
To make the most out of your budget, choose a scalable WAF solution that offers freebies when choosing an annual subscription. You should also benefit from complete onboarding and setup from solutions experts — free of charge — and have 24/7 access to their customer support team. If you have multiple domains you need to protect, see if you can get volume pricing discounts, and make sure your website files and databases are backed up daily.
Improve Your Cybersecurity with Web Application Firewall Solutions
Increasingly varied and complex, cybersecurity threats seem to be here to stay. However, arming yourself with the right web application firewall solution can help keep your website safe from hackers. In doing so, you also safeguard your reputation with your customers, as they should be able to always trust your website to protect their sensitive information.
Invest in a better cybersecurity strategy today and filter traffic to and from your website. At the end of the day, the confidence that your website and visitors are safe from cybercriminals is priceless.
