The majority of small business owners will spend their time creating and maintaining the React hosting platform (website) and very little time paying attention to the actual website log files created by the website server itself.
The website/server log files are a silent record of every single action taken on the website and server. Therefore, by examining the log files, small business owners have the easiest path towards identifying unwanted/unauthorized actions (just like in the best hosting for Django) and preventing those from happening on the website. Fortunately, one does not need to have a degree in technology to understand website logs.
What are Website Logs?
Website log files are simple text files created on the server and provide a complete history of what is happening on that server. The log files record the number of times a user visits a page or website, attempts to log in, uploads or downloads files, has errors occur, etc.
So, in layman’s terms, website log files act like a video camera for your website. They show you who visited your website, what activities they attempted to do, and if any of those activities raised a red flag.
Common types of log files are:
Access Logs records the times a visitor opens any page on your website.
Error Logs records broken links, files not found, plugin failures, etc.
Security Logs record suspicious activities such as excessive repeated login attempts and/or blocked access to certain parts of the website.
The Importance of Access Logs for Website Security
Detecting Attacks Early
With your access logs, you can determine if an attack is taking place before the damage is done to your website. For example, if an attacker is using automated methods of login attempts or if there are many requests for URLs that are strange for your website, these are clear indicators that an attacker is scanning for security vulnerabilities.
Evaluating Website Performance
If you are experiencing frequent server errors or slow page load times, you can analyze the server access log to understand the underlying cause of the problem and work towards fixing any issues.
Understanding User Actions
The access logs are a great way to understand how your visitors are interacting with your website: what pages they opened, how long they stayed on each page, and where they came from. You can then use this information to enhance the user experience and improve the security settings of your website.
Validation Evidence if a Security Incident Occurs
If something happens to your website, the access logs provide you with the documentation you need for a successful investigation and recovery from the problem.
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Key Features to Look For in Your Access Logs
You don’t need to remember or interpret every line of your website’s access log, but you do want to pay attention to a few simple patterns that indicate possible security threats.
1. Repeated Failed Login Attempts
If a user’s login attempt fails multiple times in a row, it could be a sign of a brute force attack on their account. Most logs will display the user with this type of failing login as a “401” or “failed login.”
2. Requests for Unusual URLs
Most hackers use automated methods to crawl for vulnerable files within your website. Requests for URLs such as “wp-configure,” “xmlrpc,” “setup.php,” etc., and long random strings should be taken very seriously.
3. Odd Hour Traffic Spike
If you see a spike in traffic at odd hours (such as late night or early morning), this could also mean that someone is using a bot or attempting to perform a DDoS attack.
4. Suspicious IP Addresses
Logs will show you what IP address a visitor is using. If you see that the same IP address appears in the logs a hundred times within a matter of minutes, then that IP address may be attempting to perform automated scans against your website.
5. Unauthorized File Upload
Unauthorized file uploads are a definite indication of a malicious attempt. To find out if this has occurred, review your access logs and security logs for evidence of any unknown files being uploaded to your server.
6. Sudden Increase in Server Errors
If the logs are recording frequent “500” or “404” error messages, this could be an indication of a corrupted file, a broken plugin, or a successful injection of malicious code into your website.
How to Read Your Logs Without Technical Skills
Use Hosting Tools
Many hosting companies provide a user-friendly dashboard that allows you to see a summary of your logs at a glance. For instance, MilesWeb has created a set of hosting tools that incorporate access logs, error logs, security insights, and daily backups into its control panel so that non-technical users can easily monitor their activity and analyze it effectively.
Filter by Date
Select either the logs from the last 24 hours or the last 7 days to help streamline your analysis and identify trends in your data.
Look for Keywords
When you evaluate your logs, search for keywords such as “denied,” “blocked,” “failed,” and “unauthorized.” These will usually indicate that a security event has occurred.
Graphs and Graphic Reports
Depending on the type of security plugin you use or which hosting platform you use, some security plugins and hosting dashboards take log entries and make them very easily readable via graphical reports based on things like traffic, errors, and suspicious activity.
When to Act
It is normal to have a few irregular entries in the logs you review, but perform corrective actions in the following situations:
If you have multiple failed login attempts in a row
If you have numerous unknown IP/Internet Protocol addresses
If you notice new files being uploaded to your system without explanation
If your error logs have increased dramatically
In any of these cases, you should immediately change your passwords, disable any non-active plugins, scan your website for malware, and/or contact support.
How Hosting Supports Log Security
Secure hosting is critical for the protection of your log entries. Secure hosting providers like MilesWeb offer server-side firewalls, malware scanning services, automated backup services (daily backup), and detailed log files to assist companies in early detection.
With security, daily backup, and free email services, in the event of a security incident, companies have an option to restore their website. In most cases, secure hosting provides the greatest level of protection for small businesses.
Summary
Logs may appear complicated at first, but they offer a simple and effective means for monitoring your website for security breaches, monitoring your website performance, and maintaining a healthy website for a business.
By learning how to interpret log files, small business owners will stay ahead of cyber attacks and performance issues, and the overall health of their websites. With a secure hosting environment, regularly reviewing log files, and a basic understanding of cybersecurity/hacking, small business owners can protect their websites without having to be computer experts.