What security checks should I run on my website?

Run SSL certificate verification, check for open ports, scan for common vulnerabilities (XSS, SQL injection), verify security headers (CSP, HSTS, X-Frame-Options), check for outdated software, test password policies, verify DNS configuration, and review access controls. Repeat these checks monthly and after any deployment or configuration change.

How often should I change my passwords?

The current best practice from NIST is to change passwords only when there is evidence of compromise, rather than on a fixed schedule. Instead of frequent rotation, use long, unique passwords (16+ characters) generated by a password manager, enable two-factor authentication on all accounts, and monitor for breaches using tools like Have I Been Pwned.

What is the best password hashing algorithm?

For password storage, Argon2id is the current gold standard. It won the Password Hashing Competition in 2015 and resists both GPU and side-channel attacks. Bcrypt remains a strong second choice with wide library support. Scrypt is suitable when Argon2 is not available. Never use MD5, SHA-1, or SHA-256 alone for passwords — they are too fast and vulnerable to brute-force attacks.

Do I need HTTPS on every page?

Yes. HTTPS should be enabled site-wide, not just on login or payment pages. Google uses HTTPS as a ranking signal, browsers mark HTTP sites as 'Not Secure,' and mixed content (HTTP resources on HTTPS pages) causes security warnings and can break functionality. Use free SSL certificates from Let's Encrypt and configure HSTS headers.

Security Tools Guide: Essential Tools for Protecting Your Website and Data

Website security is not a one-time setup — it is an ongoing process that requires regular monitoring, testing, and updating. From SSL certificate verification to password hashing and vulnerability scanning, the right security tools help you identify risks before attackers do. This guide covers the essential security categories, explains what each tool does, and shows you when and how to use them effectively.

February 23, 2026 14 min read Security

SSL and HTTPS Security

SSL/TLS certificates encrypt communication between browsers and your server. Without HTTPS, user data — passwords, credit cards, personal information — travels in plain text.

What to Check

Certificate validity: Check expiration dates — expired certificates show security warnings
Certificate chain: Verify the complete trust chain is served correctly
Key strength: Ensure RSA 2048-bit or higher (or EC 256-bit+)
Protocol version: Only TLS 1.2 and 1.3 should be enabled; disable SSL 3.0 and TLS 1.0/1.1
HSTS header: Tell browsers to always connect via HTTPS

Check your site with the SSL certificate checker for instant verification.

Password Security

Weak passwords remain the leading cause of security breaches. Proper password practices protect both users and applications:

Password Best Practices

Length over complexity: 16+ character passphrases are stronger than short complex passwords
Unique per service: Never reuse passwords across accounts
Password managers: Generate and store unique 20+ character passwords
Two-factor authentication: Add TOTP or hardware key as second factor
Breach monitoring: Check if your credentials appear in known data breaches

Generate strong passwords with the password generator and check strength with the password strength checker.

Hashing and Encryption

Understanding when to hash vs. encrypt is critical for data protection:

Algorithm	Type	Speed	Use Case
Argon2id	Password hash	Slow (by design)	Password storage (recommended)
bcrypt	Password hash	Slow (by design)	Password storage (proven)
SHA-256	Cryptographic hash	Fast	File verification, checksums
MD5	Legacy hash	Very fast	File checksums only (not passwords)
AES-256	Encryption	Fast	Data encryption at rest
RSA	Asymmetric encryption	Slow	Key exchange, digital signatures

Generate hashes with the hash generator, bcrypt generator, or Argon2 generator.

Network Security

Monitor your network exposure to prevent unauthorized access:

Port scanning: Identify open ports that may expose services to attackers — use the port scanner
DNS verification: Check DNS records for misconfigurations, domain hijacking, and mail spoofing — use DNS lookup
Subdomain discovery: Find forgotten subdomains that may be vulnerable — use subdomain finder
HTTP headers: Verify security headers (CSP, CORS, X-Content-Type-Options)

Security Headers Checklist

Content-Security-Policy (CSP): Prevents XSS by controlling allowed resource origins
Strict-Transport-Security (HSTS): Forces HTTPS connections
X-Frame-Options: Prevents clickjacking attacks
X-Content-Type-Options: Prevents MIME type sniffing
Referrer-Policy: Controls referrer information sent in requests
Permissions-Policy: Controls browser feature access (camera, mic, location)

Complete Security Toolkit

Free Security Tools:

Frequently Asked Questions

SSL verification, open port scanning, vulnerability scanning, security header checks, outdated software detection, password policy review, DNS verification, and access control audit. Repeat monthly.

NIST recommends only after evidence of compromise. Use long, unique passwords (16+ chars), a password manager, and enable 2FA instead of frequent rotation.

Argon2id (gold standard), bcrypt (proven), or scrypt. Never use MD5, SHA-1, or SHA-256 alone — they are too fast for password storage.

Yes. Google ranks HTTPS higher, browsers mark HTTP as insecure, and mixed content breaks functionality. Use free Let's Encrypt certificates and HSTS headers.

Security Tools

SSL Checker
Password Generator
Port Scanner
DNS Lookup
JWT Decoder

Related Guides

JWT Security
Password Security
Privacy Practices