As the internet becomes increasingly interconnected, so too do the threats to our online security. Hackers are constantly finding new ways to exploit weaknesses in websites, and it can be hard to stay ahead of the curve. In this blog post, I’ll share 10 tips for protecting your website from hackers.
1. Use website security plugins
If you have a website, it’s important to take steps to protect it from potential security threats.
One way to do this is to use website security plugins, which are designed to help secure your site and protect it from various types of attacks.
There are many different website security plugins available, and it’s important to choose one that’s right for your site.
If you’re not sure which plugin to choose, I recommend contacting a web security expert for advice.
In the meantime, here are a few things to look for in a website security plugin:
- It should be compatible with your website platform
- It should offer protection from common attacks, such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting
- It should have a good reputation and be regularly updated
- It should be easy to install and use
By considering these factors you will ensure that you have a quality product protecting your website.
2. Have strong passwords and multi-factor authentication
It’s important to have strong passwords and multi-factor authentication for your online accounts.
Here’s why:
A strong password is difficult for someone to guess. It should be at least 8 characters long and include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
The simplest way to use strong passwords is by using a secure password manager app. Here’s a list of some of the best password managers right now.
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is an additional layer of security that can be added to your online accounts. MFA requires you to use two or more factors to verify your identity when logging in.
For example, you might use your password and a one-time code that is sent to your phone.
Adding MFA to your accounts can help protect you from hackers who may have your password. Even if they have your password, they won’t be able to log in unless they also have your phone.
3. Have good data backups
It’s important to have good data backups for your computer. A data backup is a copy of your data that you can use to restore your files if they’re lost or damaged.
There are many different ways to backup your data, and you should choose the method that’s best for you.
Some website platforms have features that do this automatically, some require configuration and others will require you to download a plugin that will create the backups for you.
Whatever method you choose, it’s important to have multiple backups in case one of them fails. You should also store your backups in a safe place, such as a fireproof safe or a safety deposit box.
4. Use encryption wherever possible
Encryption is the process of transforming readable data into an unreadable format. This can be done using a mathematical algorithm, which is then applied to the data using a key.
The resulting encrypted data is known as ciphertext, while the original unencrypted data is called plaintext.
Encryption is used in a variety of situations to protect information from being accessed by unauthorized individuals.
For example, encrypting email messages ensures that only the intended recipient can read them while encrypting files on a computer ensures that only someone with the decryption key can access them.
While encryption is not a perfect solution, it is an important tool that can help to protect your information from being accessed by unauthorized individuals.
Whenever possible, you should encrypt your data to keep it safe.
5. Have penetration testing done
One way to ensure the security of your company’s data is to have penetration testing done.
Penetration testing is a type of security testing that is used to find vulnerabilities in a system.
By finding and exploiting these vulnerabilities, attackers can gain access to sensitive data or systems. This type of testing helps you to find it before the hackers can.
You can do this by hiring a dedicated penetration testing team or you can outsource it using a bug bounty program.
6. Avoid writing custom code
One of the most common mistakes made by software developers is writing custom code when there are already existing solutions that can be used.
This can lead to several problems, including wasted time, buggy code, and low-quality software.
This code can introduce security vulnerabilities to your website that a hacker can potentially exploit.
7. Ensure you have input validation
One of the most important steps in secure coding is input validation. This is the process of verifying that the data that is being input into a system is valid and in the correct format.
Invalid data can lead to all sorts of security issues, so it’s important to make sure that you are validating all user input.
There are a few different ways to perform input validation. The most common is to use data type checking, which ensures that the data is of the correct type (e.g. an integer) before it is input into the system.
Another common method is to use whitelisting, which means that only certain characters are allowed in the data.
Input validation is an important part of secure coding, so make sure that you are doing it correctly.
8. Limit the access you give to contributors
As your site grows and you begin to add more contributors such as a guest author or a freelance web developer.
It’s important to limit the access you give to each contributor.
This will help you keep your site organized and prevent contributors from accidentally deleting or changing critical files.
Most platforms allow you to select a different role depending on the function that you want the user to have.
Use this to ensure that users only have the access that they need to perform their job function and nothing extra.
9. Use a reputable website platform
If you’re starting a website for your business, it’s important to use a reputable website platform. There are a lot of different website platforms out there, and not all of them are created equal.
Some platforms are more secure than others, and some platforms are easier to use than others. It’s important to do your research and choose a platform that will work best for your business.
There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a website platform, but security and ease of use are two of the most important.
Make sure you take the time to find a platform that will work well for your business and that you’re comfortable using.
Some good examples of website building platforms that have a good reputation are WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace.
10. Don’t post any sensitive information
We all know that we should never post any sensitive information online. But what exactly qualifies as sensitive information?
In general, anything that could potentially lead to identity theft or fraud should be avoided. This includes things like your social security number, credit card information, bank account numbers, and passwords.
In the context of your website, you need to hide any information that someone could use to impersonate you and take over your account.
Things like your email/username, physical address, phone number, etc. If someone can gather all of this information they may be able to call your service provider and impersonate you to get access to your website.
Wrap Up
In conclusion, there are several steps you can take to protect your website from hackers.
These include keeping your software up to date, using strong passwords, and limiting access to your website.
By following these tips, you can help keep your website safe from attacks. For more tips on cyber security, subscribe to our newsletter.
