There's no question that keeping your website and your customer's data safe and secure is one of your most important responsibilities as a professional. One cyberattack could put all your hard work and reputation at risk.
Implementing a cybersecurity plan to cover your bases will give you peace of mind and a clear course of action, but putting this idea into practice is often easier said than done.
Today, I'm going to share six practical ways you can keep your site safe from hackers, phishers, and other cybercriminals. We use these strategies across many of our websites, and they work very well for us. I'm confident that these tips will help you, regardless of your industry or the type of website you operate.
Let's dive in!
Require Multi-Factor Authentication
One of the first things you should do to keep your website secure is to insist everyone uses multi-factor authentication (MFA) to access their accounts. Put simply, MFA means your employees and customers need a secondary piece of information if they want to access their account, especially on a new device.
Examples of secondary authentication methods include a phone call, email, text message, or a one-time use code. After the person enters their password, they need to seek out the second passcode based on how their program is set up.
The reason MFA works is hackers need more than a password to access sensitive information. They could spend hours cracking a complex password only to find out there's nothing more they can do because they don't have access to the cellphone with the authentication code.
Most tech and software come with the option to enable MFA in just a few clicks, which makes this a fast and affordable way to build a strong layer of security around your business.
Keep Your Software Updated
One of the easiest yet most impactful ways to secure your site is by keeping all your software up to date. That means updating not just your content management system and plugins but also your server software and operating system.
Hackers are constantly finding vulnerabilities in outdated software to exploit, so updating frequently closes those loopholes.
My advice is to set all your software to auto-update when possible. This means you'll always have the latest protection in the event of an attack.
If auto-update isn't an option, log in regularly to manually update. It only takes a few minutes but can save you from a devastating attack.
Keeping systems up to date does require ongoing maintenance, but think of it as an investment in your business's security. The time spent updating software is minor compared to what you'd invest in responding to a hack or rebuilding your site.
Invest in a Security Plugin
Next, you should install a reputable security suite on your site. Hackers are constantly prowling the internet, searching for vulnerabilities to exploit. Don't make it easy for them. Invest in a top-tier security program that provides firewall protection, malware scanning, and regular updates.
The most notable piece of advice for this section? Avoid free or bargain software. You don't want to put your business in the hands of people who don't have an incentive to keep it safe.
You're better off investing in a premium tool from trusted names like Norton, McAfee, and Sucuri. They offer tools tailored to websites that will help protect you, your customers, and your business against intruders with bad intentions.
I suggest scheduling regular scans to detect weaknesses or vulnerabilities as early as possible. Malware, viruses, and other threats are constantly evolving, so run full system scans at least once a month if you notice any suspicious activity. The sooner you identify and patch a security hole, the less opportunity for hackers to exploit it.
Back Up Your Website
Now, let's talk about why it's more important now than ever before to back up your website regularly. I know a lot of us are tempted to do it once or twice a year if we remember. I'm here to tell you this is not the way to keep your data safe.
But backups can quite literally save your business. If your site is infected with malware or hacked, it can degrade quickly. A backup can help you pick up where you were right before the attack, which means a smoother experience for your customers and employees.
The best way to go about this is to set up an automatic backup system that stores copies of your website files, databases, and everything else daily. If you get hacked, infected with malware, or something else goes wrong, you have a recent version of your site to use as a restore point. We usually go back about 3 months for daily backups.
You'll also want to store your backups in multiple locations. You don't want to put all of your faith into a web host only for them to experience a data loss or close down. If that were to happen, you'd lose access to your backups, which obviously isn't ideal.
You'll want to keep your backups on your web host, a cloud storage device, and a physical hard drive so you have options if and when you need to restore your site.
Teach Your Team Cybersecurity Best Practices
Another helpful tip to remember is it's a good idea to keep your team up to date on the latest cybersecurity best practices. You want your team to have good security habits otherwise your site is at an elevated risk of attack every day. So, let's talk about how you can make this happen.
One strategy that has worked well for us is having quarterly security meetings (more if there's a reason) where we discuss security vulnerabilities that we've noticed recently. For instance, at our last meeting, we talked to everyone about phishing email scams since we saw an influx of fake emails from me and other high-level managers the previous month.
We use a mix of hands-on training, online courses, and presentations to show them what to look out for and how to keep their data safe. You'll want to use this opportunity to talk to your team about passwords, keeping software up to date, and other tips I mentioned to you today.
I learned early in my career that equipping your employees with the knowledge and tools they need to protect themselves and your business against cybercriminals is a great way to add an extra layer of security to your website.
Keep an Eye Out for Suspicious Activity
Staying vigilant about suspicious activity on your website is key to protecting it. Regularly check your site analytics and server logs for any weird spikes in traffic or failed login attempts, as this could indicate an attack. Things like a huge uptick in traffic from one country or a barrage of failed admin login attempts could signal someone is trying to hack their way in.
Don't just set it and forget it when it comes to your website security. Make checking on your site part of your daily routine. Look for things that seem off, like files that have been changed or new admin accounts you didn't create. The sooner you spot compromised accounts or malware, the faster you can boot it off your site.
We use a monitoring service to help automate keeping tabs on your site. This tool allows us to detect threats like malware, SQL injections, and DDoS attacks in real time. They alert you right away so you can take action. Some even provide 24/7 monitoring and will work to neutralize threats as soon as they're detected.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are plenty of practical steps you can take to keep your website safe. The tips I've shared today will help you get started. My advice if you're just starting out is to implement MFA and start making backups of your website. These two strategies will give you the groundwork and protection you need to keep your website safe for years to come.
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