Website security is a complex and ever-evolving concern among all eCommerce website owners and anyone who run their website. Even regular internet users, who are the most vulnerable, are becoming more cautious of their online activities.
Hackers also keep reinventing their methods to be more discreet, and precise and cause as much havoc as possible for profit. They frequently find new ways to get through security features undetected and target vulnerable sites.
Even as new and more robust security features and functions for websites emerge regularly, they keep coming back with better cyberattack methods.
Hackers do not just target big companies. They threaten small companies and personal websites as well. It means that installing all the necessary security features and taking all precautions is imperative if you have a website.
Often the most straightforward strategies are the best for tackling any task. You know you need to keep your website protected from hackers, but once you dive down the website’s rabbit hole of vulnerabilities, you will face complicated concepts and solutions.
Even so, there are essential best practices to follow to strengthen the protection of your website. To respond to cyber threats by defending your website from hackers, you should always be constantly alert.
Here are seven essential things that you can do right now to defend your website:
7 Ways to Reduce Site Vulnerabilities
Declutter Your Site and Update Your Website’s Software
Any kind of application, plugin, or database on your website is a potential entry point for hackers. You should uninstall all files, plugins, databases, or programs that are outdated or no longer in use from your website.
It is also necessary to keep your file structure systematic to keep it more comfortable to monitor changes and remove old files.
Hackers continuously learn how to bypass existing safety features. When searching for possible hack sites, cybercriminals often target vulnerable websites with outdated components such as themes and plugins, among other details.
They are easy to navigate, bypass and gain access to the restricted parts of your website. That is why software upgrades with new technology and features are essential for better website security.
Your website also necessary to run with the newest technologies and with the latest security features.
To maintain the most current software update:
– Review and Evaluate all of the Website’s Software Components.
Do a simple search review to determine what needs to be updated. If there are auto-update components and the program documentation facilitates automatic updates without impacting the site features, toggle on the feature.
– Build an Updated Schedule.
Software upgrades occur periodically. Updates can take some time for complicated structures, but updates are often regular for smaller ones. Best practice calls for a consistent schedule to regularly review and install updates for your website’s software components.
Implement Policies for Strong Password
Strong passwords are necessary. Hackers use specialized tools using brute force to break passwords. Great passwords are at least ten characters long. It should include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numerals, and special characters that are complex enough to defend against brute force.
It is also crucial not to share your password with anyone. If you are running a network, access to shared accounts or storage should only be limited to authorized people. Keep a strict password policy in your company to prevent data breaches through compromised passwords.
Here are some things you should take into account:
– Be Imaginative. Be Creative.
The idea is to make your passwords as unique as possible so that nobody can guess easily. It means you are away from obvious choices, such as using your name or generic passwords, such as ‘qwerty‘ or ‘Password,’ or ‘123456.’
In addition, the longer the password, the better. A common problem for people who create complicated passwords is that they may not memorize them. However, you may have the name of a location or object that reminds you of the combination.
– Using Authentication Multifactor.
In case anyone can circumvent your passwords, two-factor authentication offers additional protection. It often takes the form of requesting a single piece of information to be replied to correctly before full access to the website is given. It is also a smart idea to incorporate two-factor authentication for each access stage.
Migrate to HTTPS and Choose a Secured Host
HTTPS, or Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure, is an enhancement of the HTTP, or Hypertext Transfer Protocol. When you see HTTPS, you can be secured an extra layer of security for your website. HTTPS prevents hackers from intercepting login data on your websites.
You need a protected socket layer certificate to migrate and communicate securely over HTTPS. It is imperative to run a platform that collects confidential information as it safeguards information during transmission online.
Once your website certificate is installed, redirect traffic from HTTP to HTTPS.
In addition, for all browsers, provide an HSTS reply header in your web protection policy. It will, via HTTPS, connect the various browsers to your website.
It is also essential to choose a safe and reliable web hosting company for your website’s security. Make sure that the host you use is vigilant against threats and committed to keeping your website secure.
In case of your site is compromised or attacked, your web host should be able to back up your data to a remote server. That data should also be easy to recover. Select a host that conducts ongoing technical support as needed.
Restrict Access to Your Site
Control of access to your website’s central control dashboard is also a critical safety procedure that must be in place. The more users are given access, the more vulnerable the site is to attack.
The extent of access to the web can be controlled by:
– Grant Limited Access.
If multiple users are allowed to access particular pages or portions of the website, provide restricted access to only what they need. Do not grant everyone admin privileges.
For example, if a user is only given access to the editorial section and a hacker is successfully broken by a hacker, the hacker would not have access to the main dashboard and manage the website.
– Delete Unnecessary Users.
Delete users who no longer require access to the website. Keeping their credentials active can be a vulnerability to your website that hackers can exploit.
Check for Website Vulnerabilities Regularly
To look for website and server vulnerabilities, you need to do web security scans regularly. Website security scans should be conducted on a timetable and after any alteration to your web components.
On the Internet, there is a range of free tools that you can use to evaluate how secure your website is. Those tools can help with a quick analysis, but they won’t find all the potential security vulnerabilities on your website.
An in-depth review and analysis of the vulnerabilities in your website would require a competent website security scan.
Constantly Conduct Site Monitoring
No website is 100% immune from hacking, even with the most current updates, features, and safeguards. You will have to be prepared for the worst-case security situation.
Continuously monitor your site. It means keeping an eye on how the website monitors any irregularities. Various online tools can help monitor your website and provide warnings when it’s found.
The end is to monitor what is happening inside your website, so irregularities are identified and resolved when detected.
To search for website and server vulnerabilities, it is necessary to perform daily website security scans. You should conduct web security scanning on a schedule and follow any updates or additions to your web components.
On the Internet, you can use various free tools to assess how safe your website is. These tools can help with a quick analysis, but they will not detect all potential website security vulnerabilities.
Professional website security checks on your website will include an in-depth analysis and description of your website vulnerabilities.
Backup Your Data
It’s alarming how many websites do not effectively back up their website, data, and their systems. Having the cloud to back up data effortlessly should encourage websites of all kinds to do so.
Another factor that should make the diligent backing up of data a staple is that 60% of small businesses victims of a data breach will most likely fail within six months.
Sadly, 75% of these small businesses believe the wrong notion that they are safe from data breaches because they are too small for hackers to hack.
Small businesses are a favorite for hackers because they are often unprotected and easier to target than big networks, so they are more frequently targeted. The average cost of a data breach is about $214 per customer put at risk.
Even if you may have a physical server where you store data, make sure that your site and its data, including all customer information you store, are backed up in the cloud.
Avoid using free software. Dropbox, Google Drive, One Drive, and the like are perfect for storing files, especially if you have a remote team. However, you will need a business account to access more features and storage space fit for your business.
A better option is to back up your data in more reliable cloud storage like Acronis Backup Office 365, one of the most trusted cloud storage solutions for small and big businesses.
Also, make sure that your web host has a disaster recovery plan. It ensures that your business can get right back on track immediately in the event of data loss. Data backup should be a standard procedure for your site.
Backing up your site regularly prevents you from having to lose business in case your data is lost or compromised due to an attack. It is better to have several systems of data backup in place, which should be done regularly.
Some content management systems such as WordPress have plugins or extensions that can automatically back up your site. You should also be able to back up your content and databases manually.
Conclusion: Protect Your Website at All Cost
A secure website boosts website traffic and increases conversion. Knowing the risks and taking action to prevent your business from being a cyber-attack or data breach victim is the best way you can protect yourself and your business.
Ensure your site’s secure from all angles, from your local network, your web host, your employees, and your customers.
Technology space is continually changing, and what works today may not be equally successful tomorrow. The job of protecting your website is, therefore, a relentless task that never ends.
Website security involves continuously monitoring the site for vulnerabilities and addressing them as they emerge. While these measures do not offer 100% website security against hackers, they help minimize hacking risk.
It would save the website a great deal by forming a contract with a security service provider.
Although you and your team can probably handle the minor issues, hiring your own IT team or outsourcing a professional company will cover all the rest of the nitty-gritty of your website’s security.
Companies offering security services can check the website periodically for vulnerabilities, conduct complete website security audits, detect malicious activity, and be on hand anytime maintenance or repair is required.
You and your team should always be alert to protect your website, and these practical strategies are just the most basic cybersecurity methods. Never stop looking for security safeguards on your website. Do not let cyber attackers win.
