How to Secure a Website: A Quick Guide
Would you like to know how to secure a website? Read our quick guide to learn everything that you need to know on the subject.
In 2021, the world will lose $6 trillion to cybercrime. By 2025, that figure will rise to $10.5 trillion annually.
These numbers are alarming for any organization with a website out there. Small businesses, in particular, have a lot to worry about, with 43 percent of cyberattacks targeting these enterprises. Yet only a paltry 14 percent of small businesses are equipped to defend themselves against these attacks.
Not knowing how to secure a website can expose you to potentially devastating vulnerabilities. On average, businesses lose $3.86 million per breach. Few enterprises can bounce back after that.
The good news is that securing a website isn’t the preserve of IT gurus. Neither does it have to cost a fortune. This website security guide highlights six ways to protect your business website from breaches.
Read on to learn more.
Install Social Sockets Layer (SSL)
One of the easiest ways to protect yourself and your visitors is by installing an SSL certificate on your business website. SSL encrypts all the data that passes between your website and your visitors. This data includes login details.
So essential is an SSL certificate in ensuring website security that search engines like Google now warn visitors who are about to enter a website without SSL. Google even discriminates against these sites when generating search results.
Note that SSL is available at different levels. If you are an eCommerce site that processes payments, it’s best to opt for more advanced SSL versions. Sites that ask for client information or transfer files also need an advanced SSL version.
Invest in Reliable Anti-Malware Software
Another proven way to secure a website is to ensure that you install top-quality anti-malware software. This software does the heavy lifting to ensure that you never have to worry about the technical stuff.
Currently, there are plenty of anti-malware options on the market. Many of these are free, but the most dependable anti-malware tools will most likely be available at a price.
The best anti-malware solutions provide the highest level of protection. They come with various useful features, including web scanning, web application firewall, malware detection and removal, DDoS protection, vulnerability patching, and PCI compliance.
Use Strong Passwords
Roughly 81% of all data breaches result from poor password security. It’s an astonishing statistic, yet one that many people never take seriously enough.
Passwords have become so familiar that users forget about their importance. Plenty of times, your password is the only thing standing between a cybercriminal and your valuable information.
That’s why one of the most important website security tips is to make sure that you create passwords that are almost impossible to crack. Use a reliable random password generator to help come up with strong passwords if you have trouble doing that on your own.
When creating passwords yourself, try to combine random but memorable phrases to form a password. Try to include numbers, symbols, and a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters to form strong passwords. Avoid using personal information as your passwords, as hackers usually try that when attempting a breach.
Keep the Website Up to Date
When was the last time you updated your business website? Are the theme and plugins you’re using updated to the latest versions? How about the anti-malware software?
Keeping things up to date can help speed up your website. More importantly, it can help eliminate vulnerabilities.
Those who use a top-notch website builder may not need to worry much about updating their website frequently. A good website builder will automatically handle required software updates and security patches. But if you own a WordPress site, you must stay on top of things by running regular updates.
Beware of Human Error
Human error remains a major driving force behind many successful cyber breaches. Up to 88 percent of security breaches can be attributed to some form of human error.
Many breaches happen when people fall prey to scammers through no fault of their own. Cybercriminals are notorious for drawing people to give away important personal information unknowingly, which gives them all they need to commit crimes.
The vast majority of malware is delivered through email. That means you need to be on the lookout for any suspicious mail in your inbox. Think twice before clicking every link in your email.
Be on your guard at all times to keep your website secure. You should view emails, texts, and phone calls asking for personal information suspiciously.
Don’t grant access to your site to just anyone. Admins need to be vetted to ensure they’re trustworthy and security-conscious.
As soon as you create a WordPress website, change the default settings, usernames, and passwords.
Regularly Backup Your Site
If hackers still succeed in breaching your website after taking the security steps above, it helps to know that you have a safety net. When you run regular backups, it ensures that you always have a recent version of your website in case the worst happens. Thus, you can relaunch your website and get back up and running in no time, which helps avert further disaster.
Note that backing up your site won’t fix the originating problems or prevent reinfection. However, it ensures that you can instantly restore your website, which is a good foundation for identifying what caused the issue and fixing it.
Now You Know How to Secure a Website
One of the first things you need to know when launching your business website is how to secure a website. That’s because hackers are always on the prowl and will jump at the chance to exploit any vulnerabilities they notice. The website security tips we’ve shared in this guide can help you stay on the safe side.
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