In the past few years, it has become so easy to build a website, thanks to content management systems like WordPress.
However, this comes with drawbacks, too, and at the top of that list is website security. Many owners overlook the very important responsibility of ensuring their website is safe. That could mean trouble not only for the website owner but the customers, too, especially if customers process online payments.
While there’s no one method that can guarantee that your website will be safe from cybercriminals forever, you can do preventive strategies to minimize the vulnerability of your site.
Here, your trusted web designers from Finchum Fixes It shares how you can improve your site’s safety:
Update Plugins and Software
One of the most overlooked parts of a website that contributes to its vulnerability is outdated plugins and software. Updates are designed to improve your site’s performance and security and contain bug fixes, patches and new features.
Oftentimes, people think that if their site is still working, there’s no need to upgrade their plugins or software. The problem with that is that as soon as you log off, security vulnerabilities are exploited and your site could be compromised.
To make sure that your plugins are up to date, do the following:
Check your website’s admin panel on a regular basis. If you noticed that the plugin has an update available, update it.
If the plugin is outdated, contact the plugin developer and ask them to update it.
Have a Secure URL
All websites have a protocol or a scheme that lets web browsers and search engines know where the website is located, what language it’s in, and where the website is hosted.
You can easily check your website’s scheme in Chrome, Firefox and Safari. Just open your browser and go to the website you want to check.
Now, in the URL address bar, type:
“//”.
This will display your site’s protocol. If it begins with “HTTP”, then it means your site is not secure.
If you want to make your site more secure and less vulnerable to attacks, you can change it to HTTPS.
However, on a WordPress site, the URL should be changed from HTTP to HTTPS with the help of a plugin. This is because your WordPress site’s URL will already have “www.” at the beginning and you don’t want to duplicate that. This could cause problems because both HTTP and HTTPS protocols have “www.” at the beginning.
Create a Smart Password
Passwords are the keys to your website’s security. So, make sure you choose a password that you can easily remember but not easily hacked.
Hackers use a lot of tools, including password cracking applications, to hack into a site, so you need a strong password that is hard to guess.
Some of the best types of passwords include:
Long passwords. Strong passwords consist of in excess of 15 characters and include a variety of characters such as lowercase, uppercase, numbers, and symbols.
Strong passwords consist of in excess of 15 characters and include a variety of characters such as lowercase, uppercase, numbers, and symbols.
Choose a Secure Web Host
Cybercriminals target vulnerable sites, so the easiest way to prevent a hacking incident is to use a web hosting provider that has security features, such as DDoS protection, SSL and 2-factor authentication
If you don’t have the budget for that, you can make your site less vulnerable by creating a strong password and enabling two-factor authentication.
Conclusion
Building a website is so easy these days, but ensuring your site is always safe and secure can be challenging. Fortunately, there are some steps that you can take to improve your site’s security.
Choose a web hosting provider with the most up-to-date security features. Go over your website’s plugins, especially WordPress plugins, and check if any of them is out of date. When choosing a password, make sure it’s secure.
Avoid sharing your login details with anyone and make sure to use a secure password. To ensure that your website’s customers are never put at risk, make sure that you don’t store sensitive information like credit card numbers in a database.
Security is one of the most important considerations when you’re in the process of website development. Whether you’re getting a site built from scratch or using a template, make sure that you prioritize security.
Finchum Fixes It is a one-stop shop in Greenwood, IN, that offers an array of services, from basic computer hardware maintenance to website development. If you need help with web design and ensuring the safety and security of your website, our team of professionals is here to help you. Get in touch with us to find out how we can help!
