Is Your Virtual Server Secure Enough?

Virtualized servers offer users endless possibilities and can be suitable for many modern businesses. One of key benefits of this technology is the possibility to unite your servers into one efficient cloud-based server. While virtual server is a chance to save your budget and scale up and down when necessary, it's turned out that this hosting option is as vulnerable as a physical server.

That is proved by Symantec's recent report entitled "Threats to Virtual Environments," where several threats to virtual servers are mentioned. It says that virtual machines are not truly more secure than any other type of servers - malware and targeted attacks can be executed in virtual environment, as well. Some of cyber threats are dangerous for virtual servers exclusively, for instance, hypervisor attacks (hypervisor that divides and runs the virtual server). Although this is a rare type of attack, the risk still exists.

Attacks on Virtual Servers

Some targeted attacks and malware tend to be aimed at virtual servers and are just as deleterious as for physical servers. That may happen when data backups are performed. Malware is used against virtual server snapshots, which make take a negative toll on the surrounding virtual network. These attacks can even happen all at once, which poses serious risk for virtual servers. For example, the attack called Crisis can potentially steal all the data from the system. Although originally it was used for law enforcement and cyber espionage, now hackers apply it here and there.

Tips for Virtual Server Security

If you want to protect your virtual server, use the best options available. These steps will help you to maintain server security:

1. Focus on application security. Allow only trusted applications to get access to your mission-critical network information. Contact customers support and ask to provide you with a list of applications that can and cannot be trusted. This way, you will prevent undesired data access.
2. Implement advanced security measures, for instance, UTM (Unified Threat Management) solution. Keep in mind that even the best antivirus cannot protect your project from 100% of threats, so you need a Unified Threat Management device. It uses a complex of antivirus, firewall, web filters, and so on - all that will sustain optimal network protection.
3. Control your virtual server with the help of administrator privileges, because unauthorized users may potentially get access to your network and do you harm. Implement such measures as login records and two-factor authentication. You should see when and why someone is accessing your network. Don't forget that decent providers also monitor users' networks for suspicious activities.
4. A disaster recovery plan won't hurt - you always need to have it, just in case. When an attack or disaster strikes, you will be able to restore your information/website/application as quickly as possible and with minimal outcomes. Contact your provider's customer support service and ask which disaster recovery options are offered.

It's crucial to have your virtual server work like clock - with due efficiency and security you won't be distracted from other important activities. Our competent technicians and assistants are always on guard of your server security!