With the increasing popularity of ready-to-use content management systems, many people can now launch their own websites. However, when it comes to website security, not everyone may be fully knowledgeable on the subject. This lack of awareness can make your site vulnerable to hackers.
Research shows that every second, a website is compromised. So, how can you ensure the security of your site? By following the tips below, you can take your own precautions and protect your site.
One of the most important and often overlooked steps in website security is password security. Research indicates that 40% of breaches in small business or individual websites are due to weak passwords.
Many site owners use the same passwords across different platforms. If one of these platforms is compromised, your passwords can be discovered by malicious individuals. Using different and hard-to-guess passwords for each platform can build a strong wall between you and cybercriminals:
No matter how successful a software is, it can have security vulnerabilities. Such vulnerabilities are usually fixed in the next update. If you do not update your website’s software, hackers can exploit these vulnerabilities.
If you’re using a CMS that is updated regularly, you can enable automatic updates. Remember, not only the main software but also themes and plugins need to be up-to-date. You should also avoid using plugins and themes that are not verified by your CMS and are not listed on its official website.
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a critical step in website security, ensuring the safety of both your site and your users. Websites with an SSL certificate encrypt data before sending it. Google has marked sites without an SSL certificate as insecure since a 2020 update.
There are SSL certificates available with different levels of security. Paid versions work across all subdomains, while free versions are valid only for the main domain. If you’re not conducting sales through your site, free certificates might be sufficient for you.
Especially if you’re using a shared server, the reliability of your hosting provider is crucial. Using a hosting service with security vulnerabilities can expose your site to hackers who breach the server through vulnerabilities in other hosted sites.
When choosing a hosting service, prioritize those with software that prevents cross-site infections. Opt for companies that offer SFTP support and regularly update their software to enhance security.
Even if you take all the security measures, you might still face attacks. This is where the importance of backups comes in. Regular backups can make recovery from even the worst scenarios manageable.
If you’re using a platform, you can utilize applications that regularly back up your site. However, remember that online backups can also be deleted by hackers who gain access to your site. Therefore, it’s beneficial to manually back up your data at least once a week and store these backups on physical devices like hard drives.
If you’ve taken all the necessary security measures for your website and still encounter problems, consider seeking help from an expert. Contact CRM Media to entrust your site to reliable hands.