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Files on hosting server
The first question that arises is – Why should one bother about changing any file’s permissions in the hosting server’s account?
Second is – Which files should you change?
The answers are simple. Some files in any hosting account are especially vulnerable to attacks from hackers who like to spread malware over the web. These people can edit your files to add a virus code in the file and as the file gets shared across the web, the virus spreads. The most common viruses are spread because of such vulnerabilities.
So, if it is a host’s file or an access file like the .htaccess file or if a file has a hard coded database name, username or password, it is an easy target for any hacker. Not just these files, all database files which could be .mdb or simple .txt need to be protected from exposure. Preferably, all .config files should be read-only.
The easiest way to protect your account is to change these crucial files’ permissions from read-write to Read-only.
How to change?
Dependent upon the OS, the files permissions can be changed. For UNIX systems one can use the chmod command to change the permissions. On any account, the 777 permissions should be avoided for all files which store any kind of user data.
For Windows based systems, where the Web server is IIS, permissions can be set by using Explorer and the File Manager. The permissions set for a parent folder automatically filter down to the sub folders but in all OS, from Win NT and above, it can have individual permissions for files too.
What are the benefits?
That’s easy – a fool-proof, virus free hosting environment. Any hacker who tries to capture your account by trying to write using CGI will be unable to do so as the file attributes will be set to Read-only mode. If a user disables any written content in his/her hosting account, it means that no freeware/shareware will be allowed to add anything to these files. Also, no malicious software will be able to use your account for storing wrongful information in cookies or add anything to the cookies already present in your system.
As the number of requests to write out cookies in your files decreases, the speed of accessing web resources arguably also increases.
The main argument for changing files to the read-only mode is to have a virus free environment while surfing the web or working with your website
The write up has been done by Joanna M. who has been in the web industry from quite some time now and working currently with web hosting search – a hosting guide on the net. You can find her more inputs on the blog hosting nerds.
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