Your website is a crucial digital asset and your presence in the digital space. It is the first thing one would come across upon looking you up on the web if you have one in the first place. We will share eight ways you can keep it safe in the next few minutes. Assuming you have one.
Regular Updating
Updating your website regularly is the number one way of keeping it safe. It rids it of known vulnerabilities by patching gaps and fixing bugs that hackers would exploit to access your site. On the other hand, ignoring updates exposes your website to security breaches. For a WordPress website, you would need to update the three following components as soon as their respective updates are available:
- WordPress core
- Plugins
- Themes
Using Strong Passwords
Ensure that anyone using your website, including editors, customers, authors, and co-admins, has strong passwords to keep your website safe by ensuring all user passwords meet the following criteria:
- At least 8 characters long
- Includes a combination of letters in both upper and lower cases
- Contains special characters
Additionally, you should implement two-factor authentication (2FA). 2FA requires users to provide two forms of identification before accessing the website, which is crucial when a password or account is compromised.
Implementing SSL Encryption
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) secures data transmitted between your browser and your website during browsing by encrypting it, keeping sensitive information safe from snooping or interception on the web. It is a crucial indicator of a secure website.
SSL-encrypted websites are marked with a padlock icon in the browser’s address bar, assuring web visitors and users of their safety and security, and Google and other search engines prioritize websites with SSL certificates, which can significantly boost your search engine ranking.
Backing Up Your Website Regularly
Regularly backing up your website, for instance, in a secure, offline location (if applicable), can mitigate attacks by quickly restoring it to its previous state, minimizing damage or loss. Your backup system should include the following:
- Database
- Configurations and settings
- Media
- Themes and plugins
Protecting your Website Against Malware and Viruses
Malware and viruses can damage your website, and ultimately, your business and reputation in ways you wouldn’t believe: from defacing your pages and other parts of your website to stealing sensitive client or user data and misusing it elsewhere on the web.
To protect your website against malware and viruses, install and maintain reputable security software and firewalls (network-based and application firewalls or proxy servers) that detect, block, and remove malicious code and suspicious activity early.
Access and Permissions
Limit user access to your website according to their roles. For instance, content editors and authors only need to access parts of the website that serve their roles. You can implement PoLP, which limits users, thereby reducing accidental, intentional, or malicious changes to your website.
Protecting Your Website Proactively
Watch unusual user behavior and patterns closely. For instance, several failed login attempts, strange traffic spikes, unusual media uploads, and changes to critical website files. These could be indicators of attempted attacks or other malicious activities.
Detecting threats early lets you protect your website from a full-blown attack and can help mitigate issues in advance. Alternatively, you can save yourself the hassle through any of these web security tools:
- Immunify
- Cloudflare
- All-In-One WP Security & Firewall (AIOS)
- WPScan
- Akismet
- Astra Pentest
- AppTrana
- Defender Security
- Imperva
- NordLayer
- Datadog
- Beagle Security
- Sucuri Security
- Wordfence Security
- iThemes Security (Solid Security)
- MalCare Security
- Security Ninja
- WPScan
- BulletProof Security
- Jetpack Security
Educating Your Team
Educate your team on website security to reduce the chances of data breaches or a full-scale cyberattack on your website, including how to recognize phishing schemes and the importance of strong passwords. Train, inform, and update them continuously on the latest threats and how to tackle them. Educate them particularly on the dangers of the following:
- Clicking strange links and CTAs
- Opening unknown items in the mail
- Downloading and installing unverified or pirated software
Take Away
As you have noted, securing your website is not a one-off thing. It is continuous and long-term, requiring active (and proactive) vigilance, dedicated observation, and other proactive measures, all of which we offer. So, why not get in touch today for a thorough safety audit and recommendation or a total overhaul to make it safer?