75% of security professionals say that AI-powered cyberattacks have increased over the past 12 months. Small businesses are now even more vulnerable to these attacks due to their limited resources and potentially weaker security measures.
Website security, is a series of actions done to protect your website and its data. Although website security is an ongoing and evolving process, it’s not a fire-and-forget solution. As technology advances, so do the techniques used by cybercriminals.
Prevention is the best cure they say, and with Web.com you can prevent cyber-attacks with the right security solutions and cybersecurity measures. Learn more from the article below.
What is website security and why it’s important?
The core of web security is keeping sensitive information safe. This includes anything from customer passwords and personal data to financial details. Encrypting data and using secure connections ensures that even if a hacker tries to intercept information, it’s protected.
A secure website ensures that the data exchanged between your users and your website remains encrypted and protected from unauthorized access.
Setting up security isn’t a one-time thing either. It requires constant monitoring to ensure everything stays secure. Regular scans for vulnerabilities along with updates for software, and real-time monitoring software are essential for catching potential issues early. This ongoing attention ensures your site remains protected as threats evolve.
Web security doesn’t just protect your website from attacks though. It also has a direct impact on your business’s success. It can:
Protect sales and revenue
Your website can go down during a big sale or busy shopping season because of a single cyberattack. Downtime means customers can’t browse or buy, which leads to lost revenue. By keeping your website secure, you minimize the risk of these disruptions and ensure your business stays open for customers 24/7.
Improve SEO and search rankings
Search engines like Google prioritize secure websites. Using a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTPS) through an SSL certificate and having solid security measures in place can give your site a boost in search rankings. Google actively flags and warns users about sites that aren’t secure, plus people avoid your site if it looks suspicious, losing your site traffic. So, having good security not only protects your visitors but also improves your visibility online.
Enhance brand reputation
A secure website builds trust. When visitors see that your site is secure, they feel more confident in sharing their personal information or making a purchase. On the other hand, if your site gets hacked or displays security warnings, it can damage your reputation and customers might not return.
What are the most common security threats?
Cyber threats are constantly evolving, and no website is immune from its attacks. Here’s a look at some of the common threats every website owner should know about:
Malware
Malware is any kind of software designed to harm or exploit a website. Every day over 450,000 new malware variants are detected globally; making this threat particularly persistent. Common types include:
- Viruses
- Worms
- Ransomware
Malware can be used to steal sensitive data, distribute spam, or gain unauthorized access to your site. It often sneaks in through vulnerabilities in outdated software or plugins.
Phishing attacks
Phishing involves tricking users into revealing sensitive information by posing as a trustworthy entity. Phishing is responsible for 40% of all data breaches on the web.
These attacks often come in the form of fake emails or websites that look legitimate but are designed to capture personal data. Phishing can harm your users, while also damaging your site’s reputation if customers fall victim to these scams.
DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks
A DDoS attack floods a website with so much traffic that it crashes or becomes too slow to function. In 2023, there were over 15.4 million DDoS attacks on the net. These attacks don’t directly steal information, but they can cause significant downtime and disrupt your services. Downtime can frustrate users and can also lead to lost sales and a damaged reputation.
SQL injection
SQL injection is a method used by hackers to insert malicious code into your website’s database through input fields. This happens so often that 65% of organizations reported being targeted by SQL injection attacks.
It allows hackers to manipulate your database, gain access to sensitive information, or even take control of your site. Protecting against SQL injection requires proper validation of user inputs and keeping your database secure.
Source: xiphcyber.com
Brute force attacks
In 2020, security reports reveal that 80% of data breaches involved brute forcing. In a brute force attack, hackers attempt to guess your website’s login credentials by systematically trying different combinations of usernames and passwords.
Weak or commonly used passwords make your site especially vulnerable to this kind of attack. Using strong passwords, limiting login attempts, and enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) can help protect your site from brute force attacks.
Zero-Day vulnerabilities
Zero-day incidents on the internet increased by 50%, caused by spyware. A zero-day vulnerability is a security flaw in software that is unknown to the vendor and doesn’t have a fix yet.
These are especially dangerous because hackers exploit them before developers have time to patch the issue. This is why it’s crucial to stay on top of updates and security patches as soon as they’re released.
Why website security matters for SEO and user trust
Did you know that search engines like Google place a high value on security? Google has made HTTPS a ranking factor. If your site is secure, then you’re in a better position to improve your visibility in search results. When users see that a site has an SSL certificate (the padlock symbol in the browser’s address bar), they feel more confident that their data is safe.
If your website is compromised by malware then search engines will remove your site entirely from search results. This can lead to significant drops in organic traffic and damage your site’s reputation permanently.
How to secure your website from threats in 7 simple ways
Securing your website from cyber threats is necessary for protecting your data and ensuring the smooth operation of your business. Thankfully, there are several effective ways to safeguard your site from attacks:
Use SSL certificates
One of the most basic and crucial steps in website security is securing the connection between your site and your visitors. A Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate encrypts data, ensuring that any information transferred between your users and your site is protected.
Whenever you get an SSL certificate, your HTTP gets automatically upgraded into an HTTPS. This means your site is now extra secure, and visitors can trust that their data is safe from interception.
Keep your software updated
Outdated software and plugins are one of the easiest ways for hackers to gain access to your site. Developers frequently release updates to fix security vulnerabilities, so it’s important to regularly update your content management system (CMS), plugins, themes, and any other software on your website. Enabling automatic updates where possible can ensure you stay protected without having to constantly monitor for new releases.
Monitor your site for suspicious activity
Continuous monitoring of your website is key to identifying potential threats before they become major problems. Set up real-time monitoring tools to track suspicious activities, such as multiple failed login attempts or unusual traffic spikes. Many security plugins offer these features, alerting you immediately if something seems off.
Another way to monitor your site is through a Web Application Firewall. A firewall acts as a protective shield between your website and incoming traffic. It monitors and filters traffic to block malicious requests, such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks.
A WAF can also help mitigate Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, keeping your website running smoothly during high-traffic situations. Web.com ensures you stay safe online with SiteLock, a cloud-based security platform that scans your site for online threats.
Implement strong passwords and two-factor authentication
Weak passwords are one of the biggest vulnerabilities a website can have. Ensure that all user and admin accounts use strong, unique passwords that include a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols that gets updated quarterly.
Additionally, enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide a second form of identification before logging in.
Limit user access and administrative privileges
Not everyone who works on your website needs full access to everything. Limiting user roles and permissions reduces the risk of accidental changes or vulnerabilities being introduced. Only grant administrative access to those who absolutely need it, and review user accounts regularly to remove outdated or unnecessary permissions.
Back up your data
Having backups protects your website against data loss. This can occur due to server crashes, accidental deletions, and most importantly cyberattacks. Having backups ensures that even if the worst happens, your website data can be restored quickly and efficiently.
Web.com provides an automated website backup service with CodeGuard. It helps protect your site by creating regular backups and allowing for quick restorations in case of data loss or a security breach. Malware scans are also provided with every backup.
Choose a secure hosting provider
A secure hosting provider can make a huge difference in your web application security. Choose a provider that offers strong security features such as firewalls, automatic backups, malware scanning, and regular updates. A secure hosting environment helps protect your website from server-level vulnerabilities.
Choosing Web.com as a hosting provider means you can build your site with ease. We provide all the website essentials to you for a safe and hassle-free experience.
Advanced security tips for securing your website
Once you’ve covered the basics of website security, you can practice more advanced techniques to protect your site. Consider implementing these advanced security strategies:
- Use a CDN for DDoS protection. A Content Delivery Network (CDN) helps distribute your website’s content across multiple servers, making it harder for DDoS attacks to take your site offline by spreading traffic and reducing server strain.
- Implement CAPTCHAs. Adding CAPTCHAs to forms and login pages prevents bots from submitting malicious data or launching brute force attacks. This simple measure blocks automated scripts from targeting your site.
- Enable real-time monitoring. Set up real-time monitoring tools to track suspicious activities on your website, such as unusual login attempts or traffic spikes. Immediate alerts allow you to act quickly and prevent security breaches.
- Regular backups. Regularly back up your website to a secure, offsite location. In case of a hack, you can restore your website to a previous version, minimizing downtime and data loss.
- Harden server configuration. Secure your server by disabling unnecessary services, setting proper file permissions, and restricting access to critical areas. A properly configured server reduces vulnerabilities hackers can exploit.
What to do if your website is hacked?
Discovering that your website has been hacked can be stressful, but it’s important to act quickly and calmly to minimize damage. Here’s a general step-by-step guide on what to do if your website gets hacked:
- Take your website offline. Immediately take your site down or switch to maintenance mode to stop further damage and protect your users.
- Change all passwords. Update all passwords for your website, hosting, FTP, and databases. Ensure they are strong and unique.
- Scan for malware. Use a security tool to scan for malware and identify the source of the hack.
- Restore from backup. If possible, restore your website from a clean backup that predates the hack.
- Remove malicious files. Manually remove any malicious code or files if a backup is not available.
- Patch vulnerabilities. Update all software, plugins, and security settings to fix the weaknesses that allowed the hack.
- Notify affected users. If sensitive data was compromised, inform your users and if necessary, the relevant authorities.
- Conduct a security audit. After recovery, perform a thorough audit to ensure no vulnerabilities remain.
- Strengthen security. Implement stronger security measures like two-factor authentication, firewalls, and regular updates to prevent future attacks.
- Monitor for suspicious activity. Set up ongoing monitoring to detect any signs of suspicious behavior or attempts to hack your site again.
Securing your website and unlocking your success
Website security is crucial for protecting your business interests and reputation. The threats are numerous, but the good news is that by understanding the risks and implementing strong security measures, you can keep your site safe.
From preventing data breaches to boosting SEO, a secure website sets the foundation for long-term success. And if the worst happens, knowing how to respond quickly can minimize damage and get your site back on track.
Find the best security deals with Web.com to protect your website and business reputation. Don’t leave your website’s security to chance!
Signs that your website may have been hacked include a sudden drop in performance, unfamiliar files or code in your site’s backend, users reporting phishing attempts, or warnings from search engines. You may also notice unauthorized logins or changes to your content.
It’s good practice to back up your website daily or weekly, depending on how often your site changes. Automated backups ensure you always have a clean version of your site ready to restore in case of an attack or data loss.
Basic security measures like SSL certificates and regular backups can range from free to a few dollars a month, depending on your hosting provider. The more advanced options on Web.com, such as Web Application Firewalls (WAFs), malware protection, and real-time monitoring, typically cost more, ranging from $6.99 to $24.99+ per month.
