Security Essentials for Your Website: 10 Things You Can Do to Keep Your Data Safe
Today, website security is not optional, it’s a necessity. Whether you’re running a small business, managing an eCommerce platform, blogging, or running an international organisation; ensuring your website is secure protects both your data and your users. With cyberattacks and data breaches becoming increasingly common, implementing robust security practices is essential.
This guide covers 10 website security practices to keep your site safe.
1. SSL Certificates: A Must for Data Encryption
An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate ensures encrypted communication between your website and its visitors, safeguarding sensitive information like login credentials, personal data, and payment details. Websites without SSL are flagged as “not secure” by browsers, which can deter visitors and harm your credibility.
Installing an SSL certificate is straightforward, and many hosting providers offer this service. For eCommerce or websites handling large amounts of data, investing in an advanced SSL certificate adds an extra layer of assurance and security to your site and users.
2. Regular Updates and Maintenance
Hackers often exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software, plugins, or themes. Keeping your website up to date is one of the simplest yet most effective security practices you can implement.
This includes:
- CMS Updates: Content management systems (CMS) like WordPress, Joomla, or Drupal regularly release updates to patch security flaws.
- Plugin and Theme Updates: Third-party extensions are common entry points for hackers. Only use reputable plugins and themes and update them as soon as new versions are available.
- Routine Maintenance: Schedule regular website audits and maintenance to check for broken links, outdated tools, and unused files, as these can pose security risks.
3. Secure Coding Practices
If you’re developing a website or custom features, following secure coding practices is essential to prevent vulnerabilities.
Hiring a professional web development team who prioritises secure coding practices can save you from potential breaches and liabilities.
4. Firewalls and Malware Scanners
A web application firewall (WAF) acts as your first line of defence against cyber threats by filtering and blocking malicious traffic. Many hosting providers offer built-in WAFs, or you can opt for external solutions.
Additionally, installing malware scanners ensures your website is regularly monitored for threats like viruses, ransomware, or other harmful programs. Automated tools can detect and remove malware before it causes significant damage. You can always ask your web development team about the right solution for your site.
5. Robust Password Policies and Two-Factor Authentication
Weak passwords are a common entry point for hackers. Ensure all accounts linked to your website use strong, unique passwords, combining uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Implementing two-factor authentication (2FA) adds another layer of security. With 2FA, even if a password is compromised, access to the account requires a second verification step, such as a code sent to a mobile device.
6. Schedule Regular Backups
Despite taking all precautions, breaches or server failures can still happen. Scheduling regular backups of your website ensures that you can quickly restore it to its previous state in case of an emergency.
- Frequency: Backup your website daily or weekly, depending on how often it’s updated.
- Storage: Keep backups in multiple locations, such as a cloud service and an external hard drive.
- Tools: Plugins like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy automate the backup process for WordPress websites.
7. Protect Against DDoS Attacks
A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack overwhelms your website with excessive traffic, making it inaccessible. Using a Content Delivery Network (CDN) like Cloudflare can help mitigate such attacks by distributing traffic across multiple servers and filtering malicious requests.
8. User Access Management
Limiting access to your website’s backend reduces the risk of unauthorised changes or data leaks. Assign roles and permissions based on necessity, for example, content editors don’t need admin-level access.
Monitor your user activity regularly and immediately revoke access for inactive or former team members to maintain tight control over your site.
9. Educate Your Team
If multiple people have access to your website, ensure they’re aware of basic security practices, such as avoiding phishing emails, recognising fake login pages, and securely storing passwords. Regular cyber security training can significantly reduce human error, which is often the weakest link in website security.
10. Monitor for Suspicious Activity
Continuous monitoring of your website’s performance and logs can help you detect any unusual activities, such as sudden spikes in traffic, unauthorised login attempts, or unexpected file changes. Many hosting platforms and security tools offer monitoring features to alert you to potential threats.
Website security isn’t a one-off task; it requires ongoing vigilance. By adopting these essential practices like SSL certificates, regular updates, firewalls, secure coding, and more, you can help protect your website against cyber threats and security breaches.
If you’re unsure about how to implement any of these measures, consider consulting with website security professionals to ensure comprehensive protection. CircleBC specialises in providing these services for both custom and WordPress sites, for more information call us on 1300 978 073 or contact us for more information about our preventive and cyber security services.