The Basics of Website Security

Given that hacks and data breaches seem to be in the news virtually every month, it’s not surprising that one of the biggest questions we hear from clients is: “how do I keep my website and data safe?”

There are many answers to this question, of course, and some of them involve technical details, encryption, and specialized software. However, the best way to start protecting your website is to simply understand the basics of online security. 

With that in mind, today we want to give you a few tips you can use to keep hackers away…

Use Strong Passwords

Did you know that hackers can use automated software that can crack a simple password (like a person’s name) in tenths of a second? In contrast, a complex password – one with numbers and symbols – can take months for the same software to figure out.

Most thieves don’t have that kind patients. Use strong passwords and you can keep them away from your website.

Practice Safe Credential Handling

Of course, it doesn’t matter how strong your password is if you routinely give it away to anyone who asks. Smart companies are very cautious about sharing their credentials. They don’t give them to employees who don’t need website access, and won’t share them with vendors without the right safeguards in place.

Keep your password safe and they’ll keep you protected.

Allow Website Software Updates

Ever wonder why WordPress requires so many frequent updates? Does it seem like your plug-ins constantly send notifications about fresh versions? It isn’t just that the developers are adding new features – often these updates close known security loopholes.

If you fail to make timely updates you’re essentially leaving the front door open for cyber criminals.

Perform Regular Analytics Reviews

It’s sometimes the case that the first sign of a security issue with your website isn’t a huge theft of money or changed content on your pages. Instead, it’s unusual traffic patterns on your website. These are easy to spot if you or your web design partner are checking your analytics frequently.

A little attention goes a long way, so make sure someone is keeping an eye on your website’s dashboard.

Generate Automatic Website Backups

If the worst were to happen and your website was hacked, what would it take for your company to get back online quickly? If you have current and secure backups to draw from, you’ll have a lot fewer headaches.

Most business owners and administrators don’t backup their websites regularly, but you can work with a creative team who will handle these tasks on your behalf.

Is Your Website Truly Secure?

The amazing thing about following the basic advice we have laid out in this post is that it will probably prevent 90% of your website security troubles. That’s because most hackers aren’t using sophisticated tools – they are using simple software programs to find businesses with known vulnerabilities.

Don't assume your website is secure. Instead, leave it to the experts to ensure your corporate website is safe from hackers. We have helped numerous businesses with their online security needs and we'd be happy to help you too, so reach out to WebRevelation for a complimentary consultation. In just an hour will be able to show you how to protect your data and improve your online marketing results! Call us today at 817-283-3324.