Your website is a very important digital asset and the first thing one comes across when looking you up, or searching for your products or services on the web. It is your digital space image. But is it safe from the unsavoury stuff that has lately become a part of the web space? We will share eight ways you can keep it safe in the next few minutes.
Regular Updating
Updating your website regularly is the number one way of keeping it safe. It fixes vulnerabilities by patching up holes that cybercriminals would exploit to hack your site. On the other hand, ignoring updates exposes your website to security breaches. For a WordPress website, you would need to update the following three components as soon as their respective updates are available:
- The WordPress core installation
- Plugins you’ve installed
- Your theme
Using Strong Passwords
Ensure editors, customers, authors, co-admins, and anyone else using your website have strong passwords to keep the website safe. Go further and ensure all users have passwords that meet the following criteria:
- 8 to 12 characters long
- Includes a combination of letters in both upper and lower cases
- Contains special characters
Additionally, you should implement two-factor authentication (2FA)across your website, which requires all users to provide two forms of identification before registering or logging into the website—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 key 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.
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 on 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
- WPScan
- Akismet
- Astra Pentest
- Defender Security
- Imperva
- NordLayer
- Beagle Security
- Sucuri Security
- Wordfence Security
- iThemes Security (Solid Security)
- 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
Conclusion
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?
Feature image by Piqaso Digital Content Team