A Guide to Protecting Your Website from Hackers

A Guide to Protecting Your Website from Hackers

Website design is at the heart of building a company website. Over the long run, however, it’s not as important as making sure your site has top-notch security, particularly if you host customer transactions.

When a website isn’t properly secured, the door opens to hackers who will steal your and your customers’ personal information.

Don’t make yourself vulnerable to a crime that’s easily preventable when you have the right security. Use the guide below to increase your website security and protect your private data from hackers.

Stay up to date on IT and software

You’d better believe that hackers are apt to be experts on anything that has to do with information technology. If you want a shot at preventing them from getting access to your information, you will have to be, too.

Major companies invest in an entire IT department to monitor their systems and keep software and sensitive data safe. Not all companies can afford to do that, though.

If that’s the case for you, your firm might consider providing IT training for all or a select few of your employees. This blog post from CBT Nuggets, an IT training resource, discusses the importance of IT security.

CBT Nuggets advises that, for companies who “are brand new to IT security, earning CompTIA Security + certification is an ideal starting point.” Introductory training to IT securities will get companies started on a path to safer, more secure operations.

Restrict admin access

It’s never a good idea to offer admin access to very many individuals. That might make things easier for completing certain work processes, but it also makes it easier for hackers to access your private information.

When more individuals and computers can get into the admin account of your website, it opens the region to a broader audience of would-be hackers who can tear down your entire website.

Furthermore, you want to be stricter with your use of username and password. Change them often and add special characters and numbers to make it more difficult for hackers to crack. The tougher you make it for them, the better.

Use web application firewalls

More and more of your customers will be accessing your website by mobile in the future. This creates some unique issues with web security.

Web application firewalls (WAFs) are typically cloud-based services that monitor the interactions and data between your website server and the data connection on the consumer’s mobile device. It serves as a gateway that allows only positive communications to come through. Anything that could pose a risk gets blocked.

Install security apps

As an added protection for mobile devices, you should think about installing security applications. One of the best uses of these apps is to hide your website’s CMS identity, which gives it more power to defend against automated hacking tools.

It’s worthwhile to note that security apps are not nearly as effective as WAFs and should be used as a supplement rather than a replacement for your mobile web security. There are several free and paid options for these apps. You can also install them as a free plugin for your host site.

Manage files

One of the most common website destabilizers is file uploads. Websites routinely offer a customized service that requires the consumer to upload a file.

Though this is an extremely attractive service for the consumer, it can be dangerous for the website. The best way to prevent bugs and viruses from slipping through uploaded files is to run scripts and store the files outside of the root directory.

In addition, make sure you back up your files frequently. Even the most highly protected servers can be derailed by a hacker, and if your files are wiped out because you didn’t back them up, you could put yourself at risk of bankruptcy or going out of business.

Website security may be more vital than you may realize. Take the time and steps necessary to keep your website secured from malicious invaders.