If you own a website or an online business, one of the most important things is to ensure it is properly secured. Not having a secured website or online business can cost you time, resources, and even money. So if you want to know how to secure your website and online business, then keep reading!
What is Website Security?
Website security is the act of securing your website against attacks from hackers. This can take many forms, but they all pertain to making your website stronger against attacks. They help protect your website’s data, user data, and if you run a business, credit card information, and other sensitive banking information.
How to Secure Your Website or Online Business From Hacks
When securing your website or online business from hackers, many options are available. Some of these are necessary, while others are optional. If you run an online business, you should try to have as many security measures as possible.
Using an SSL Certificate
An SSL Certificate is something that every secure website has. It encrypts your website’s data, keeping it and your user’s data secure from hackers. However, it only protects data when in transit, so while your site will be labeled insecure without one, you still need to take further steps to secure your website.
Implementing Web Application Firewalls (WAF)
Web Application Firewalls or WAF, are extremely important for websites, especially smaller ones. They prevent the installation of malicious code on websites and can shut down many automated DDoS attacks and other automated attacks carried out by malicious bots.
Utilizing Website Scanners
There are two forms that website scanners can take. The first is when you have suffered an attack and need to remove malware from your site. A website scanner will scan all files and remove malware placed on the site during the attack. Some will also scan your website’s files daily to ensure they are clean, and keep your website safe for all users.
Updating Your Website
Finally, another important aspect of protecting your website is updating its software, including themes and plugins. Many things can be set to auto-update, but you will want to check for updates at least weekly. By keeping your website updated, you remove potential angles for hackers to gain access to your website.
Website Attacks to Watch Out For
As technology advances, so do the attacks website owners have to look out for. While some attacks may not cause much damage, every attack represents a chance for your users’ privacy to be breached and their information to be stolen. To help you protect your users’ data, here are some of the most common website attacks:
- DDoS Attacks: Distributed Denial of Service attacks are one of the most common attacks websites will face. These typically slow down your website and can even crash it.
- Defacement: This is when a hacker replaces your website’s content with their own, usually malware for stealing user data.
- Blacklisting: If a hacker has left malware on your website, it could be blacklisted, taking it off the Internet.
- Malware: Another common attack method, this is an umbrella term for any malicious software that a hacker has placed on your website. This malware is usually used to steal credit card numbers, personal identifying information, usernames, email addresses, and passwords.
What to do if Your Website is Hacked
If your website has been hacked, your first response will likely be panic. While this is a terrible scenario to be in, you must stay calm and take the necessary measures to prevent any more damage. Here are the most important steps to take if your website has been hacked:
- Contact your hosting provider and their support team. This is why you are paying them. After all, they have the technical expertise to get your site back up and running smoothly.
- Gather any necessary information your support team needs to properly scan your website to clear it of any malware or leaks.
- If your website is still online, you should take it offline until the support team has ensured your website is secure once again.
- Scan your personal computer for any viruses or malware to ensure your computer is not infected.
List of Website Security Solutions
- Sucuri
- Wordfence
- SiteLock