Cyber Security

Looking for additional website security? I specialize in building resilient digital defenses. This page highlights my work in key areas such as vulnerability assessments, secure development practices, and proactive threat mitigation designed to safeguard user data and maintain operational integrity.

Many WordPress site owners and small businesses operate with a basic security posture that, while better than nothing, often leaves critical vulnerabilities exposed. These are some of the most common oversights:

• Over-reliance on a Single Plugin: The most common approach is to install a single “all-in-one” security plugin and assume the site is fully protected. This creates a single point of failure that, if bypassed, leaves the entire website vulnerable.

• No Pre-emptive Filtering (No WAF): Most standard setups allow all traffic—both good and bad—to hit the web server directly. This unnecessarily strains server resources and means the website itself has to do all the work of fending off attacks, making it more susceptible to being overwhelmed or exploited.

• Neglecting Advanced Threats: Standard plugins are often focused on login protection and basic file scanning. They typically do not include the advanced, specialized rules needed to block sophisticated attacks like cross-site scripting (XSS) or prevent malicious resource loading via a Content Security Policy (CSP).

• Reactive vs. Proactive Stance: The common approach is fundamentally reactive. It’s designed to clean up an infection after it happens or block a known threat. It does very little to proactively shield the website from the constant barrage of automated, exploratory attacks happening 24/7.

My approach to website security is built on a “defense-in-depth” philosophy. Instead of relying on a single point of protection, I implement multiple, overlapping layers of security that work together to block, detect, and neutralize threats before they can cause harm.

• • Layer 1: The CDN Edge Firewall The first and most critical line of defense is a Content Delivery Network (CDN) with a properly configured Web Application Firewall (WAF). I filter all incoming traffic through this edge network. This means that malicious bots, DDoS attacks, and common exploits are identified and blocked before they ever get a chance to reach your website’s server, significantly reducing risk and server load.
  • Layer 2: Server-Level Hardening For traffic that passes the initial CDN check, I implement a second layer of security directly on the hosting server (with client permission). This involves configuring server-side firewalls and access rules to create a hardened environment that is inherently more resistant to intrusion.
  • Layer 3: WordPress Core Firewall As a final safeguard, I integrate security directly into the WordPress application itself. These core firewall rules are designed to catch any sophisticated threats that might have navigated the outer layers, analyzing behavior and blocking malicious requests from within the application.
  • Layer 4: Advanced Browser & Scripting Defenses To combat modern injection attacks, I implement a Content Security Policy (CSP) and robust Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) protections. A CSP acts as a whitelist for your website, preventing browsers from loading malicious scripts, while XSS filtering sanitizes inputs to stop attackers from stealing user data or defacing your site.

Adopting a multi-layered, proactive strategy isn’t just about adding more tools; it’s about creating a fundamentally more secure and resilient digital asset. Here’s why it makes a crucial difference:

• • You Block Threats Proactively, Not Reactively: My strategy stops malicious traffic at the network’s edge. This is far more effective than waiting for a threat to reach your server. It’s like having a dedicated security detail for your property line instead of just a lock on your front door.
  • Protection Against a Wider Range of Attacks: A single plugin can’t be an expert at everything. By layering firewalls (CDN, Server, Application) and adding specific browser-level defenses (CSP, XSS), you are protected against a much broader spectrum of attacks, from brute force and DDoS to complex data-stealing injections.
  • Reduced Server Load and Improved Performance: By filtering out junk and malicious traffic at the CDN level, your web server is freed up to do what it does best: serve content to your legitimate visitors. This often results in a faster, more reliable website.
  • Comprehensive Peace of Mind: My approach provides robust, intelligent security that anticipates and defends against threats. This means you can focus on your business, confident that your website isn’t just relying on a single plugin but is fortified with a comprehensive security posture built for the modern web.