Ah, the good old official business website – the cornerstone of any online presence. It’s the first place people go to learn more about you, and unfortunately, it’s also the first place hackers go to try and cause trouble. But don’t worry, even if your website has some inherent security risks to cyber attacks (because let’s face it, who doesn’t?), a little bit of basic knowledge on digital intrusions can go a long way in keeping those pesky hackers at bay. So go ahead, take control of your online presence, and keep your website safe and secure. Here are ways to make your business website more secure.
1. Update Software
If you are using WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, or any other content management systems, make sure that the software is updated to the latest version. The latest CMS version doesn’t only include new features and revamped interface, but also the latest security patches. Each month, new potential security risks are divulged and hackers will try to use them to their advantage. Resourceful hackers always read the latest security reports and try to exploit newly discovered security holes. Businesses with competent digital security teams will try to patch these security holes, but others are still oblivious to the danger. If you haven’t updated your CMS software in the past two years, there is a long list of vulnerabilities and security risks that hackers can easily exploit. Often, hackers simply choose easier prey with weak security systems, instead of wasting their time breaking into a website with robust security.
2. Use SSL Certificate
In order to effectively maintain security for your business, it is highly recommended to utilize SSL or Secure Sockets Layer certificates. When SSL is enabled on your website, all information transmitted to and from the site is securely encrypted. Without SSL, this information is transmitted as plain text, making it much easier for hackers to intercept and exploit. Hackers often utilize specialized software to continuously scan connections, increasing the likelihood of obtaining sensitive user data such as login credentials. Implementing SSL can greatly reduce the risk of a security breach and ensure the protection of valuable information.
3. Use a Specific IP
To minimize security risks, it is critical to utilize a specific, dedicated IP address when accessing the sensitive website or hosting administration pages. While it may be tempting to use a public or random IP address, such as from a coffee shop or other shared location, doing so can significantly increase the risk of a security breach. Instead, it is recommended to only access these pages from a secure, designated location, such as an office, using a dedicated IP address. This will help to protect valuable information and reduce the likelihood of a security incident.
4. Replace Passwords
It is essential for small business owners to prioritize digital security and take steps to protect their websites from potential breaches. One important step is to ensure that the default admin password has been replaced with a strong, unique password. Many hosting companies provide default passwords that are easy to remember but also easy to guess, such as “admin1” or “newsite1”. These passwords do not provide sufficient security and can easily be exploited by hackers. Instead, it is recommended to create a password that includes a combination of lowercase and uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols, and is easy to remember but still uses random characters. This will help to prevent unauthorized access to the admin interface and protect valuable information.
5. Migrate to a Reputable Hosting Company
In order to ensure the security of your website, it is important to carefully consider the reliability and reputation of your hosting company. A hosting company can represent a significant security risk and may be the weakest link in your security system. Even if you have implemented robust security measures, if the hosting company is unreliable or lacks fundamental security features, hackers may still be able to breach your website. For small businesses, it may be tempting to choose the most cost-effective hosting solution, but it is important to prioritize security and consider migrating to a reputable hosting company with a proven track record of security. This will help to protect valuable information and reduce the risk of a security incident.